This pattern is fun to knit, although it can be tricky to cable--don't cable too tightly, especially the double cable on row 11! Slip stitches purlwise with yarn in front. The yarn over will cross over the slipped stitch--don't worry because you will knit the slipped stitch and the yarn over together in the next row.
For the green scarf, I used size 7 needles and four skeins (a little less than 400 yards) of Knit Picks Andean Silk in Lettuce, a soft worsted weight yarn.
Brioche stitch is thick, warm, and soft. If you've never knitted brioche stitch, there is a great explanation on Cloudy Crochet.
Once you get the hang of it, brioche stitch has a nice rhythm to it: bring yarn under the right needle to the front and slip one stitch purl-wise, then bring yarn over the right needle to back (this is the yarn over) to knit 2 together. After you knit 2 together, you bring the yarn in front, slip a stitch, bring the yarn in back (or "yarn over") and knit 2 together. You are essentially winding the yarn around the right needle as you alternately slip 1 and then knit 2 together.
Although it threatened rain the entire race, it only drizzled off and on for the first few miles. It was 50-55 degrees with 20 mph winds from the north, but at least we didn't need to worry about sunburn!
On KU's fraternity row
The finish line
This race isn't for everyone. Pros: varied terrain (hilly!), friendly volunteers, not too crowded, and a beautiful time of year. Cons: some support issues (no toilets along the race course, several aid stations were out of sports drink), little crowd support (with some deserted stretches), unpredictable weather, and a brutal up-hill finish.
Here were my splits (my Garmin recorded a short race of only 12.85 miles):
Ben and I stayed at the Polynesian Resort on Disney property (hence the lei in the picture above). Upon check-in, they upgraded us to concierge level--we had a lounge just outside our room with drinks and snacks available from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. each day and our own concierge staff on the first floor for easy access to park tickets and dinner reservations. I appreciated the banana and bottle of Evian from the lounge--it was perfect for race morning nutrition and hydration!
On race morning, I woke up at 2:30 a.m. to eat, dress, and board the first of two monorails. The Polynesian monorail conductor proudly announced that I was the resort's first monorail passenger of the day (at 3:15 a.m.). You can see for yourself how crowded my monorail car was. The race started at 5:50 a.m., but we had to board the monorail for transportation to the start line before 4 a.m.
An official countdown by Mickey, Minnie, and the gang plus fireworks started the race. (Fireworks, I suppose, are the one advantage to the pre-dawn start time!)
Sarah and Ben were fantastic cheerleaders along the course. They cheered for me at miles 9, 13, and 26.2. I gave them big, sweaty hugs and kisses--Eww!
Running through the Magic Kingdom, specifically up Main Street and through Cinderella's Castle, was the highlight of the run. Even though the park wasn't yet open to the public, there were lots of supporters all along main street cheering us on. At around mile 10, it was a great motivational lift.
Crossing the finish line was an amazing experience. About a half mile before the finish, there was a gospel choir singing and clapping, and then I saw Sarah and Ben cheering for me just before I took off for the finish. The crowds were great, and the post-race volunteers were all efficient and supportive--perhaps even too efficient. Mylar blanket, shoe chip removal, medal, finisher photo, drinks and snacks, then thrust out into the meeting area for friends and family. It was such a blur that I didn't think to take any pictures after the finish (until I had showered, swam, and ordered a glow-in-the-dark celebratory drink at dinner, that is).
