I originally started this post in mid-December. Fitting or ironic that a post on sustaining and finishing things has lingered in draft form all these many weeks.

So I ran a marathon a few weeks ago. Yeah, I finished and it’s great to be back at it after a decade of not racing, even with 15 miles in a downpour with headwinds. But I haven’t run since. Sure, I had plans of easy recovery runs a few days after the race, alas, I chose lounging in bed with the dogs and my iPhone each at 6:30 a.m.

I noticed the same thing during my training. Leading up to our trip to Iceland in October, I was running four times a week. I barely missed any workouts. I even ran before we caught a cab to the airport at 8:00 a.m. and on the first morning that we work up in Reykjavik. Then, because it was too cold or I told myself it was supposed to be vacation, I took a few days off. Which eventually became three weeks off. The fact that they were the three most important weeks of high-volume and the longest long runs would eventually show itself during the race.

And it’s not just limited to physical activity. I can get on a roll with knitting, plowing through inches of a project for weeks at a time. I finished a lopapeysa for Chris a few nights ago (after a month-long sprint), but the armpits still need to be grafted shut and some ends that need to be woven in. I haven’t touched it since I bound off the last stitch. Instead, it joins a mega-fringed lopapeysa, a outerwear coat and a cowl-neck pullover, all of which need buttons, pockets and flaps attached, or a single seam sewn. Basically, by the end of this weekend, I could have four new garments (technically three, but I plan on borrowing Chris’). In the sock department… well, let’s not even go there.

According to Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion, if an object experiences no net force, then its velocity is constant. More often described as intertia, this is the concept that an object in motion tends to stay in motion or an object at rest remains so unless an outside force acts on it. My question is, what is the force that’s changing me?

It could be the motivation that was sufficient to start a project or compels me to run is not sufficient or even related to what’s necessary to sustain it. The “getting over the hump” carries me pretty far down the path, but that desire is sated before the end goal is achieved.

Self-pity aside, much of this post’s whining is irrelevant now, as evidenced by the picture above of the aforementioned fringed monster of ends to be woven in. C’s sweater is also complete, however the other two remain. I did finish a pair of mitten-capped fingerless gloves started during my first year of knitting before the end of 2012. So I’m feeling slightly more bad-ass in the completion department.

And, for the time being, I’m a week back on the running wagon.

Happy 2013. This was lunch: roasted vegetables and orzo. I’ve been wanting to make it since I first saw it. At last, I did. Perhaps this should be my unofficial theme for the new year: new recipes?

Metaphorically speaking, of course.

The day was filled with snippets of what I hope the year will contain: a 5.13-mile scamper, a doggie outing to stinky park, ironing, cooking, chores snd bills cheerily taken care of, dinner with friends and swatching for a new design. Pretty darn perfect.

I am going to try to hold my good mood and sense of accomplishment that the past week off of work has given me. No time for negative self-talk. I’m ready to do more than complain and whine. This is a new recipe for me.

And we’ll leave it at this:

Image and hand lettering by Lisa Congdon, borrowed without permission.

Proof that the blue lopapeysa has been done since Friday, but still no photograph. A friend took a picture of C and I at Rainbow Grocery, as we were both Icelandically wool-clad, but I don’t have a copy of the picture to share. I hope it’s worth it, what with all the build up.

Another lovely vacation day: bread was baked, doggies napped, I napped, knitting on a 5 or 6 year-old WIP was completed, 5 miles scampered, groceries procured, homemade pizza shared with S.

Shucks. Clock just turned to midnight. I wanted this to be Sunday’s post. In 24 hours it will be next year. Here’s to hoping everything that needs to get woven in and finished will for the New Year.

Promise broken. No knitting content, in written or photographic form.

Today we saw Les Misérables, the recent film version. As a teen who danced around and memorized every note of the French, London and Broadway soundtracks, I expected a lot from the movie. Alas, I was let down by the lack of singing ability by the two biggest male leads. The choppiness of the scenes and abbreviated libretto was startling as well.

That said, I did cry and enjoy it. However, I cried more while listening to the music at home before we went to the show. If you’re a fan of the musical, or don’t mind spoilers, I appreciated reading this article from a Wisconsin talk radio station’s website about the differences and departures the film took from the theater original production.

One day more.

Another day and no time set aside for writing. Instead, enjoy this cute picture of Decibelle.

I promise actual knitting content tomorrow. (Shocking, I know.)

Midnight.

Pardon the one word post that was here for a second. I wanted to get a word recorded before the clock left 11:59pm on Thursday and ventured into Friday.

I’m just home from an evening out with Annie, after a dinner, lunch and morning movie with her. I could get used to this not working thing.

The bar we went us known for not having a menu and for its tiny size, despite being named Big. Your bartender mixes a custom drink for you, based on your requested spirit, flavor preference or mood. I’m not the most educated in the cocktail world, but I was game. My first was an evolved gin fizz, in a non-sweet direction. I liked it, even though there was some pear, grapefruit and chartreuse in there. The egg white and bitters were funky.

The second was not as successful and I blame myself. I was not specific enough other than “not sweet.” Unlike a sushi bar, omakase was not my friend tonight. Bartender’s choice got me a whiskey something with habanero, vermouth and who knows what else.

My faith in other people leading me to what I want is unfounded. Especially when I don’t offer a lot. There’s a lesson somewhere in here about asserting myself or having a more clear vision for my desires, but it’s too late to go into that now. I’ll leave it at being honest with myself if I really want fennel, scotch or salt.

I’ll be back for more. And I’ll try harder next time.

Washed nine pairs of handknit socks. Wove in a few ends. Ran five miles in the rain and the sunshine. Poached an egg. Snuggled dogs. Folded laundry. Tried a new recipe for a Boxing Day party. Made dates for movies tomorrow and Saturday.

I’ve got no complaints.

It was a delicious holiday at home with amazing friends and family by phone. Thanks to those who traveled to the City from the faraway East Bay and shared their culinary, conversational and crafty talents. You make my life richer. I am full in every sense of the word.

From our two little elves, Janie Sparkles and Decibelle Doughnut.