Karen’s Training Log

Knit one purl two

When I’m not busy knitting the hats and tit-bits for charity, I have been knitting baby clothes for the ladies on my team who are expecting. I’ve completed 2 sweaters and the dress and I did it before the babies arrived!

Everyone asks when do I find the time to knit.  It’s mostly at night, instead of watching TV.  I don’t know about you, but I find there is very little worth watching these days.  What happened to the Situation Comedy?  Where are shows like Newhart ?  I’ve found WGN showing it on Sunday nights.

I decided to finally knit something for myself. It maybe a tad ambitious as I’ve never made anything this complicated. Here is a picture of the finished sweater from the Debbie Bliss book: http://theknittinggarden.com/patterns/db-cashmerinocoll/lily.htm

Ever wonder how nutritious your food is ?

While surfing for some recipes, I came across this very interesting site which provides detailed nutritional information. Nutritiondata.com provides a wealth of data on just about any food.  It even includes fast food data.   My beloved medium size McDonald’s french fries have 384 calories.  During yesterday’s 13 mile 4 hour walk I burned 630 calories… or 1.5 servings of french fries

Knitting circle

Cathy and I started knitting at Starbucks on Thursday nights, so that we could have “a night out”.  Since our first “Stitch and Bitch”, we’ve had others join the circle.  Cathy’s friend Marge is our resident crochet expert.  She has been busy making hats for the cancer fundraiser.  Each one uses a different stitch pattern.  They are exquisite. When she placed them on the table, it reminded me of a sherbet ice cream cone.   After I finish the current project I’m working on, I definitely want to learn to crochet.

NY Walk Route Sneak Peak

The Avon NY Walker Buddies provided us a sneak peak of the route at ROUTE PREVIEW DAY. We were able to walk part of the actual Avon Walk route.  There were two training walks, a 13 mile as well as a 6 mile, to help get everyone ready for those longer distances.  A table was set up on the path near the Hudson River at 72nd Street and a large group gathered there for the training event.

We headed north and walked along the river up to 125th Street at which point we turned onto Riverside Drive.  Stopping at the “REST STOP” at 72nd Street, Tara had snacks, water and Gatorade waiting for us.  Those walkers who were completing the 13 mile trek walked on down the Hudson River to Perry Street.  There was a sign posted there telling us to turn around. We walked back up to 72nd Street, where pizza and snacks were being served.

Sadie, sporting a blue helmet and matching bike gear, was our route guide as she waited for us at 125th Street and then Perry Street.  Good thing she had that fast bicycle of hers.

Two ladies from the Loantaka walks showed up.  It was great to see Linda and Lisa.  Lisa brought her friend Karen along and the two of them set a fast pace.  By the time Linda and I arrived at the end, they were already gone.  Linda and I completed the walk in a very respectable 4 hours and 15 minutes.

I took some pictures of the sights along the way….

Underground Guide to Breast Cancer Walks

Geri sent me the fantastic article written by Larry Roshfeld.  It provides a comprehensive view of engaging in fundraising walks.  There is detailed information on what to pack and how to pack, tenting, training, porta potties, etc.

Somethings I didn’t know:

Bring 8 clothespins or black binder clips. They are used to clip the tarp tightly to the top of your tent, otherwise it will flap in the breeze and drive you crazy as you try to sleep.

If you wear a knit hat to bed (e.g. a ski cap), it will keep you much warmer while you sleep, since you tend to lose a lot of heat from your head. And no one but your tent mate will ever know. This is particularly helpful if you don’t have much hair on your head.

As a rule of thumb, your clothing (with the exception of your jacket, sneakers, fanny pack, sleeping bag and air mattress/pad) should fit into a paper grocery bag (just to measure). If you’ve got more than that, you maybe bringing too much.

Click her to read the guide: Underground Guide