Until a few years ago autumn meant one thing to me: hunting season. When my ex husband headed out to hunt, I headed to my chair to knit. I gave up trail running and hiking to avoid the possibility of being shot (or that’s the excuse I used). I hunkered down and started on my list of Christmas presents for the family, made tea and watched cozy British mysteries. It was the beginning of a six month hibernation. After I divorced and met Troy, all that changed.
Autumn is now my busiest season of the year. The transition out of summer means the air no longer feels thick and heavy, making both running and hiking easier, giving us ample opportunity to knock a few more races and peaks off our lists. Our already active life kicks into overdrive. Troy runs 2-3 marathons each fall as he makes his way through the 50 states challenge. He has 28 left. I tag along and run the matching half marathon so I have something to do and to keep in shape. We are also making our way through the 48 4000 footers in the NH White Mountains. We’re almost to 20. Have I mentioned geocaching, working full time and trying to keep up with my writing too?
As autumn kicks in, I have to push myself a little harder to keep up with my half-marathon training. Not because I hate running, but because there’s something almost ingrained in my DNA to pick up needles and fine wool once the weather starts to cool even slightly. I love the feel of yarn slipping through my fingers as I work up a hat, a cowl, a baby sweater or some other random creation. Generations before me have passed their love of knitting down through my genes and into my fingers. Yarns that were impossible to get decades before are now available in every yarn shop or online. Skeins of wool taken off Alpacas raised in the Andes are delivered to my door in a brown cardboard box, tempting me, calling to me as I lace up my sneakers and force myself out the door.
This new lifestyle is wonderful and I truly do love it, but a 20 year habit of seasonal laziness takes a little time to break! Despite my overwhelming desire to forget the run and pick up my latest project, I know what I need to do in order to succeed. It’s not easy forcing myself out the door for a long run, but compromise is key. Ten and a half miles and one hot shower later and I’m able to reward myself with an afternoon of knitting and cozy British mysteries! It truly is the best of both worlds!
Trekking The Soul 