Year of Awesome quilt

Because I've decreed this to be the Year of Awesome (big goals, big plans, etc), I want to make a running quilt- one that would commemorate each even I've done this year. So, basically, some sort of sampler-style thing.
Right now, it looks like there will be at least 10 different events this year (which is a horrible number to try to turn into a rectangle of quilt blocks! I might have to squeeze in a few more events to make them play nicely).

Here are the ideas so far:
Frosty 5K- improv snowflake
Spartan Sprint- ?? I just know it needs green.
Apple blossom 5K- I have apple fabric. Maybe just simply frame it with another fabric.

So that's it, I don't have much.
It's either try to come up with a different, loosely themed block for each, or decide on one block and somehow use the fabrics/colors to represent each event. the problem with using the same block/just changing colors would be finding appropriate theme fabrics. But this would mean I could hunt through every fabric store I find with a teeny bit of a purpose!

I do know that I want to hand-write the event name and date (and finish time, if applicable) on each one.

What's the best marker for permanent writing on fabric? Do you have any ideas for fabric that would represent running? Have you ever made a commemorative quilt?

A win is a win!

1st female overall. Sometimes, turtles do beat the hares- especially when all the hares stay home because it's cold, rainy, and muddy. I'll take my W.

"Big" decisions.

So, the most important thing I've done today is to narrow down my running apparel options to 2 outfits for tomorrow's last-minute 5k.

We shall see if I'm feeling red or blue in the morning.

It's going to be 42 and rainy, hence the knee socks. And why not? They're fun.

Honey, this is how dull my life is when you are gone.

Race day bag.

I forgot to share the bag I made! It's the perfect size for a change of clothes, snacks, and I even found that mesh for an exterior shoe pocket. Even the big dog, Matt Lauer, approves.

I used it on Saturday. It worked out very well.

More Spartan photos.

Every time I feel self-concious about my arms, I just need to remember how they pull me up things like this.

 Because I had so much fun, and because I'm hoping to inspire at least one person to take a walk.

I'm really glad my husband was behind me for most of the barb wire crawl!

 Or sign up for a 5K.

Thanks, bro, for making sure to catch your little sister's fall on film. 

 Or, a mud run. Like Muddy Buddy, A Spartan Race, or even a Tough Mudder.

I mean, come on. Look how fun it is to get dirty!

I ran a very slow, easy 8 miles today. Which was kind of a big deal given that it was the first day I felt like I was 100% back to normal since the gallbladder attack started. I also found out I have a "dysfunctional" gallbladder, which will need to be taken out eventually, but not any time soon. 

YAY!!!!!!!!

While I don't look forward to future attacks, I am very grateful it won't be interfering with this year of AWESOME. In the mean time, there will be no more bacon binges. Or fair food. Or other fatty nasty deliciousness. Which saddens me a bit, but no food tastes as good as being pain-free feels. 

Those 8 miles also earned me a night of hand work, TV, or even an evening nap. I do love a good nap.

Another event in the books

We all survived the Spartan Sprint with no major injuries! I start with this because during our 2 hours on the course, at least 6 people were carted off in ambulances (guess that's why you sign 2 waivers!).

I dog-paddled across that pond since I'm such an "awesome" swimmer.

I think I was the only one wearing a skirt. Which, honestly, was pretty awesome. Unless you were one of the dudes we passed, which means you got chicked and skirted at the same time, by sequins, no less!

My brother had fun as our photographer, but you could tell it was killing him a bit to not be on the team... so guess who says he's going to join us for the Tough Mudder in Kentucky? Oh, yeah, the Irish twins will be tearing it up!

I had tons of fun today. Really, through the mud, barbed wire, water, hills, log carries, etc, it was a blast. But I can honestly say it was almost easy. At least, compared to a Tough Mudder. I feel like they are almost apples and oranges, and yet both pears. As in, the Spartan was only 4 miles versus the Mudder's 10, but it wasn't the distance that made the Mudder so much more difficult. The weather was unfortunately almost identical (we were hoping it would be warmer!), and the terrain was very similar overall since both places were off-road parks.

My muddy medal from the Spartan Sprint.

Perhaps it is because I have done a Mudder that makes the Spartan feel like less of a challenge. Still a challenge, just less. Perhaps it's because I have so much mental toughness built up from the hypothermia, abrasions, bruises, broken toenails, and 10,000 volts to the head that were the Mudder.

Regardless, I had an AWESOME time at both events. My hope is that they will give me a leg up on the mental half of running a full marathon. Seriously, if I can throw myself into a dumpster full of ice water, or crawl under 100 feet of barbed wire, or survive electrified wires, or climb 12 foot cargo nets, I can put one foot in front of the other for 26.2 miles. Anything else life throws my way will be a cakewalk.

Ready!

Spartan Sprint tomorrow- got my outfit ready. Yes, I'll be wearing a Team Sparkle skirt. My hida scan went as best as can be expected yesterday, so I'm going to enjoy my weekend before hopefully hearing what will be done about my pesky gallbladder on Monday.
Get out and enjoy your weekend, everyone!

Haircut, revised

I had my stylist cut it shorter so it would be easier for running- yes, running influences my life that much.
And, I have a hida test for my gallbladder in the near future. But I got cleared to run this weekend! Yay! Now, I just need to get my new tote bag made before then.

No news is good news, but still frustrating!

Gender-neutral baby quilt, since they won't find out until the kid is born. 

So, Friday was the ultrasound of my abdomen- which was actually kind of interesting. I did not know they had Doppler on those things! As soon as it was done, I was sent on my way with no further instructions, so my un-PhD-ed mind said, "No emergency. Legs are getting crazy. Let's do a short run!" Which led to a painful 1.2 miles on the treadmill.

1.2 miles. Two weeks ago, I could sneeze that distance. But when your body is screaming at you to stop, you better listen.

But the thing about that run? It gave me the mental energy to cut fabric/sew a bit. I made progress on the baby quilt, and overall felt SO much better mentally, even if my abdomen was unhappy.

Tomorrow, I hope to find out what is wrong, and what I can do about it. I've lost 4 lbs from eating so little- it's hard to eat when it makes you feel semi-nauseus, and has been giving me "dragon belches" (the kind that feel so acidic it's like breathing fire). Pretty sure it's not serious, so in a fit of insanity I ran 2.8 miles just now, just so that I know I can finish the Spartan as long as I'm medically cleared. A little crazy, I know, but I've already decided that if it's my gallbladder, like I suspect, and if I need surgery, I WILL put it off until after the weekend. I did not train all spring for this event, pay for it, and rally our whole team for nothing! And the way I see it, I'm building more mental strength that will come in handy this fall when I tackle 26.2!

I've got some handwork to keep me busy for the rest of the evening.

Let's all have a great week! I do know I've got one guaranteed bright spot- my Nike Fuelband is coming tomorrow! Now I just need to get back to 100% so I can start playing.

Sidelined

My shoes want to take me out for miles.

My sewing machine wonders where I've been.

And I went to a doctor for the first time in over 2 years.

Stupid side pain. Stupid unidentified, aggravating, lingering side pain. I get my first ultrasound ever on Friday so they can try to figure out which body part is misbehaving. Joy, oh joy. The worst part is I have to fast from midnight until after a 10:30 appointment (if you see me that morning, RUN! I will be murderous with hunger!).

But, at this point, I just want to know what is going on, what I need to do about it, and get on with things. It's interfering with my training, with my hobbies, and generally keeping me in a state of perpetual annoyance. I had to stop after 1.6 miles on the treadmill because it was so uncomfortable on Monday (at least I've learned to listen to my body rather than struggle through and make things worse).

Here's hoping Friday brings the start of answers- I'm starting to stress out about the Spartan being 10 days away, and our first half is a month away.

GRRRR.

Easter present from the hubs!

That's what I'm calling them- picked up these shoes last Thursday.
I assembled a running-themed Easter basket for him, too. I made the basket last year out of Air Force themed fabric.

Happy Easter, all!

Early morning sewing

Finally, some sewing has been accomplished! But now to decide whether or not to border it, and if so, what color? It's going to be another unmatched placemat. Is 12 x 15 big enough? Or should I add a little more? Hmmm...

I wear myself out.

Yesterday, I confirmed one of my favorite running tank tops causes chafing on the underside of my arm. It's mostly seamless, but the binding on the arms sticks out far enough that even though I run with chicken-winged arms, it rubs the inside of my arm! Not cool!
Especially because I own it in three colors. The problem seems to be worse if I run more than 3 miles... so, I guess since I don't want to deplete my tank tops down to one, I'll save them for now but only use them for short runs (until Running Warehouse has a good sale... heehee).

I still haven't had time to sew when I had energy, or energy to sew when I've had time. Take last night, and tonight: both nights have meant a good 2 hour chunk to stitch away, but yesterday I was exhausted from shopping for the hubs' birthday present, mixing up sugar cookie dough, running 5 miles, rolling out and baking sugar cookies, making stuffed green peppers, frosting sugar cookies, driving said cookies and green pepper to the base, bringing Prudence with me to help cheer up one of the guys who lost one of his dogs last week, and then breaking up Prudence and the neighbor dog when the neighbor dog charged us as soon as I got home.

And then I didn't sleep well- whole body was overheating all night from running later in the day (anyone else have a similar problem?)- which meant I've been exhausted all day, and could barely focus at work.

And now, the second night in a row I could be working on a small project, but I'm Just. Too. Tired.

With that, I apologize for not having any fun sewing photo candy for you.

Can I placate you with a pretty running skirt I *might* have been drooling over for the last 2 weeks, and *probably* just ordered?

Would that be pretty as quilting fabric, too? I think that's half of why I've been obsessed with it.

Have a great week, everyone!

I'll probably fall asleep to DWTS.