Karen’s Training Log

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….

T -7 days: Last Saturday training walk

With only seven days to go before the walk, we had our last Saturday morning training walk today. Twelve walkers showed up on this absolutely fabulous fall morning.

The path was particularly crowded today. There was a 5K run/walk for the Childhood Cancer Foundation. The runners were not particularly nice. Granted, the path is narrow, it is difficult to get by, but one runner almost knocked over Lisa. And not even an “Excuse me”. Another runner yelled “Track” as she passed. Jamie and her mom had no idea what this meant. The runner was annoyed with them for not moving over. Everyone who has ever passed me on the path has said “Left”, which makes sense to me, they are alerting me that they will be coming around my left side. I have never heard of “Track” before.

One would think that people who run or walk for charity would be more kind and considerate that the average person. Apparently not. Well, at least they Childhood Cancer folks were finished before we started our second lap of the park. The path was much more deserted and our second 7.5 miles were uneventful.

When it rains it pours

Only 2 more training walks left. The weather forecast at 6:30 am showed a bright yellow sun on the map. Got to the park and met up with 10 of the Loantaka Ladies who were ready for a long training walk.

As we started out, the woods were draped in a low fog. It was very peaceful and quite as we made our way along the path. We covered the first 7.75 miles in less than 2.5 hours. We headed back into the woods for lap 2. About a mile and a half in, it started to rain. We remained fairly dry under the canopy of trees, so we pressed on. When we reached the 2 mile point, the rain was coming down harder and the trees gave way to a field. We decided to turn back, remaining under the trees. All except for Martha, who decided to press on. By the time we reached the parking lot, the rain had slowed.

Denise called Martha’s cell phone to see where she was on the path. There was no answer. Like the Marine’s, we leave no one behind. Denise and I set off back on the path in search of Martha. The rain had started again. We stopped a biker who was traveling down the path and asked if he had seen a woman walking by herself. He responded, “No, but I was not very observant”. We passed a couple walking a dog, and they too had not seen Martha.

Denise called Martha’s name loudly. No answer. We walked a little farther along and saw a lone figure walking towards us. It was Martha. She said she was surprised to hear someone calling her. We walked back to the parking lot in the rain, which was now slowing down.

All together, we had walked almost 16 miles. One thing is certain, wet socks and sneakers do not make for a pleasant walk But it did feel good to know we could complete 16 miles, mostly in the rain. We were now prepared for any weather on walk day.

Into every life a little rain must fall

It’s Saturday, which means it’s training walk day. Work up to a drizzly, dark and cold morning. The perfect kind for rolling over and going back to sleep. Instead, I dragged myself out of bed, got ready, and went to the park. I figured, no one would show up and I could go back to bed.

The Ladies of Loantaka are a dedicated bunch. Three ladies pulled into the parking lot, ready for a wet, cold walk. They pulled on their ponchos and off we went. We started at 8:00 with four and as we walked the trail, we ran into six more. They had started at 6:30 and were already on the walk back from the first lap. Way to go ladies !

By 10 o’clock the rain ended and the wind died down. By 11 o’clock, the sun was breaking through the clouds. It was a beautiful day to walk 13 miles. The weather was the same as Day 1 of the 2006 NY walk.