Hibiscus Half Marathon 5.27

After completing the Diva Half Marathon in April 1st (which was supposed to my first and last Half) I decided that I HAD to do the Hibiscus Half Marathon.  So, the girlz and the hubby charged our 50 bucks and we were once again preparing to run 13.1 miles.

If you've been reading my blog, you also know that I signed up for a whole ton of other 10K races.  All in all the May schedule was 10K, 10K, 13.1 miles; three consecutive weeks.  Add Sunday Marathon Clinic practice runs ranging from 8-11 miles and you can see that there was a lot of running in May.

I wanted to do the Hibiscus Half Marathon because the course was totally different from the course we ran on Diva and also one that I was familiar with.  Starting at Kapiolani Park, we run around toward Waikiki, turn up on Paki and run toward Diamond Head.  Diamond Head hill is a challenge with a daunting incline but fabulous views.  From there you head down to Triangle Park and into Kahala, at the Chevron Station you get on the freeway and head to Aina Haina then turn around at mile 7 (which seems like it takes FOREVER).

I was training nice and strong through April and May then all hell broke loose.  The two kids got really really sick and so of course I caught the cold.  I've had a bad cough the last two weeks which has resulted in poor sleeping, minimal training (although I managed to keep the streak alive, 144 days straight in 2012, 680 miles run) and all over malaise and fatigue.  Being the type A that I am, I was very nervous heading into the race and just wanted to finish.

Last night was the night before the race and I did everything I could to keep the coughing fit to a minimum:  gargling with salt and warm water, drinking tea with honey, steam shower, Vick's on the feet with socks on.  I took my cough medicine with Coedine and went to sleep at about 9 pm due to the 3 am wake up call.  Thankfully I was able to sleep pretty well.  I packed my race belt and pockets with 4 gel packs, filled my bottles with Gatorade, and packed about 20 cough drops.  I wasn't taking any chances.

To my dismay, as we headed down to Diamond Head a strong rain started to fall.  I refused to let the rain get in my head and I kept reminding myself that it rarely rains in the area.  We got to the start a little late but found parking.  From there it got a little crazy as we had to pick up our timing chips (thankfully these were more modern than the ones we got at the Gecko Gallop) and stand in line with about 50 women for three toilet stalls.  We ended up getting to the Start Line with only a few minutes to spare.  By this time the rain had stopped but a strong wind had picked up.  As we squeezed into the starting lane the wind stopped and it got suffocatingly humid with all the bodies.

I started running with the hubby who was running his first Half Marathon.  I looked at my Garmin because it seemed as if we were running fast.  The Garmin showed that it was only a 10:15 pace.  About right if I were healthy but being sick I was worried that this would be too fast for me.  We made it around the park and headed toward the steep Diamond Head incline and I was able to run it strong.  As we got to mile 3 I told myself, only 10 more and then remembered to break the race up, only 4 more miles and I would be halfway done!  At this point I was the 5 mile runners making their turn and I sorta envied them. They were almost done with their race, they were the smart ones!!!! A few more inclines and a downhill and we were at the highway.  This was the only part of the race I had never run and I wasn't sure what to expect.  Just a straight run on the highway until the turn around.  I figured that the turn around would be somewhere between 6 and 7 miles so I kept glancing at the Garmin.  We were running a pretty quick pace but my body felt strong, the cough was in control with the cough drops so I continued to run strong.  I kept looking for the runners who had made the turn and it seemed like forever before I spotted them.  I looked for my friend Tomo and to see who the first female runner was. After we saw the lead it made me again focus on wondering when the turn was.  Not good, because it seemed to take forever.  Even with my good eyesight I could not see far enough ahead to see where we were turning!! Finally, after what seemed like forever, the 7 mile marker and the turn was in sight.  I looked at my watch and saw that my time for the 7 miles was 1:09.  And that's when I realized that if I continued to run at this pace I would be able to get  a new PR.  I wasn't sure whether to go for it, run conservatively, or what.  So I just told myself to run within myself and stay strong.  Miles 7-9 went well and I stayed on pace.

As we entered back into Kahala I began to notice that the hubby wasn't looking to well.  He was red and more sweaty than normal.  I was worried as I hadn't seen him take any water at any of the stops.  We slowed the pace down here and I told him to walk if needed.  We ran through Kahala withe me constantly looking at him and asking if he were okay and approached the second to the last incline of the run.  I was worried for him but knew there would be an aid station right afterwards.  He made it up and I made him walk and drink three cups of water.  One more hill and two more miles.  We run this route all the time.  We can do this.

The last hill at mile 11 was a KILLER.  Run 11 miles then climb that hill when the sun is blazing above in the Hawaii summer heat?!!  It's a test of will power.  Many people were walking up the hill.  I refused to.  At this point hubby was a little behind so I kept turning to check on him.  Luckily he had a bright neon yellow shirt so I could keep him in my view.  In my head I was staying strong and focused.  Normally I would be F Bombing but I was strangely calm, pushing myself forward and looking at the Garmin.  The Garmin told me that PR was in sight.  I was running at under a 10 minute mile and the body felt strong. No aches or pains, no cramping, breathing was easy and no coughing fit. When I got to the top of the hill I was ready to take off down the hill and to the finish.  That's when I looked back and noticed that the hubby was not in sight.  I panicked and turned around to find him. I began running back from where I came, searching for the neon yellow shirt.  I saw him coming over the crest of the incline and he looked okay.  I decided that he'd be okay and turned around to run and finish.

At this point I wasn't sure if I would be able to beat my time.  I was doing the math in my head and knew I had to run the last mile under 10.  Although my Garmin was spot on with the distances I wasn't sure how looking for the hubby had messed with my data (after the race I looked at my splits and that was the longest mile ever at 11 minutes [hill plus lost hubby equals an xtra minute!]).  I decided that I felt strong enough to try and decided to run strong.  I got to the entrance of Kapiolani and received a boost of energy when I saw the Lululemon Cheer Squad with their crazy signs.  I knew at that point that I had less than a mile, but I also knew that the last stretch was a killer from previous races.  I dug as deep as I could and got another boost when a friend joined her friend with her Beagle on that last stretch.  Hellll noooooo was I going to let a Beagle beat me so I ran hard again.  In the back of my mind I was also hoping that hubby was okay and didn't need a medic.  As I neared the finish line I looked at the clock and saw 2:11.  A PR was in sight!  I also saw my friend Tomo and his wife who were shouting my name.  I ran hard through the finish line with a huge smile on my face.

After I crossed the line I doubled back to look for hubby.  It took a bit but I saw him coming down the stretch.  I could either stay and take a finisher pic of him or I could jump on the course and finish with him.  I decided to do the latter and cheered him on.  I looked up at the clock and he was in the 2:13 range.  Yikes!  He may have beat my first Half Marathon time!!!

We got our goodies and sat down to meet our friends.  Of course at that point my coughing fits started and I was choked over in pain coughing my guts out.  It was worth it!!!

We met up with friends, had a fabulous breakfast at Sam Choy's BLC and when I got home I saw that my official chip time was 2:11:45, a new PR by about 2 minutes.  The type A in me started thinking and the what ifs started dancing in my head....and that's when I began to search for the next Half Marathon race.  :)  There are a few coming up but for the time being I am signing up for the 2013 Hapalua Half in March.  Only 48 bucks Kama'aina Special and 13 miles is a great distance to run!!!!

And this is the story of my 2nd Half Marathon and the last race I will run in the 35-39 age group.  I'll be 40 in two days and moving up.  Today I placed 53rd in the 35-39 age group...but had this run been 2 days later with the same result I would have been top 10.  Ahhh...the possibilities.

Van mommy signing out, we're going to the beach tomorrow cuz that's how I roll!!!

What a difference a year makes...

It's been a great year.  Year 39 has exceeded all of my expectations even though it started out with loads of drama.

Last year at this time I was ecstatic.  I had just lost a ton of weight through strict diet and exercise and was planning a fabulous 39th birthday party with my friends.

A few days before the big day I landed in the Emergency Room after passing out a few times from a pain like I had never felt before.  Chills, fever, pain, nausea.  Bed rest for three days, a return to the doctor and rushed in for emergency surgery.  Exploding body parts and internal bleeding necessitated said body parts to be removed along with pints of blood.   I was lucky to be alive the doctor said.  The whole situation was a huge wake up call not to take life for granted, to live it to its fullest, and to enjoy time with my family.

Reflecting on year 39 I was able to do that and live with passion.  I made sure to spend a lot of time with my kids, to expose them to new experiences, to coach them and chaperone their field trips.  For my health I amped up the running and ran many races.  I also tried to push myself and work hard in all other aspects of my life.  All in all, it was a great year.

As I say good bye to my 30s decade I look forward to all that the fabulous 40s have to bring.  There are many goals I have set for myself, I am surrounded by supportive friends, I have found a passion for running, and my kids are growing up to be confident, well-rounded individuals.

Wahiawa Pineapple Run 5.19.2012

I was sick all week and was only able to run a mile a day to train.  The weather was crazy hot, the air poisoned with vog, my throat raw from coughing, and my body fatigued from lack of sleep.  I drove the course so that I would know what I was up against.

The race began at Ka'ala Elementary, went out on Kilani Avenue, then out of Wahiawa via the bridge (slight incline) onto Kamehameha Highway toward Whitmore, pass Kukaniloko, a left onto Kamananui Road (downhill) then a left onto Wilikina Drive (uphill, mile 3, similar to Nob Hill in Mililani), and then back to Wahiawa passing Schofield and Wheeler Air Force Base.

Driving the route I got more worried as I realized that running in the country meant ZERO shade.  Nevertheless, it was the first run that I was going into that I would be able to run strategically.  Knowing this made it hard to run for fun as opposed to run for time.

The night of the race I tried to get to bed early.  Being that this race was close to home I was happy that I wouldn't have to get up at 3:45 like past races.  We had plans for parking including a Plan B and I had everything laid out and ready to go.  I was feeling pretty good about the race.

In the morning I woke up and my throat was still raw and my cough still persistent. I wasn't sure how the race was going to go but I took my meds, popped in a cough drop and decided I'd try my best.

At the start horn sounded I took off with the 900 other runners at an easy pace, about 10:15.  I saw one lady running in what looked like cheap payless sandals and another man running in Crocs.  CRAZY!  The first half mile I remained calm and as we approached the first incline I put my head down and ran strong, passing a few people on the slope.  As we flattened off it was time for about a 2 mile run in open hot air next to former pineapple fields.  This part of the run was tough and I just kept telling myself to conserve energy because the next turn was downhill.  I was able to push through those miles and get to the downhill.

I took a gel here because I didn't want to wait till I was dying and at the steep hill.  I was able to pick up some speed here and got my average pace to about 9:15.  Not as fast as I would have been able to run had I not been sick but I was happy with the way I was running.  When I got to the bottom of the hill my legs were feeling a little fatigued from the lack of training during the week but my breathing was strong and neither my throat nor my cough was an issue.

I ran strong up the hill and knew that once I was at top it would be flat all the way home but running into the sun.  These last 2 miles were tough but I picked out targets and managed to catch all but one.  As I turned left into Wahiawa town I knew I had one mile to go and I reminded myself how short the distance was.  I began to run harder, trying to pass as many as I could.  When I turned left onto California I saw that I was making good time, however, fatigued and confused I could not do the math for my PR.  I started chanting, "Balls out" in my head and gave it everything I got.  I sprinted hard through the finish and my Garmin gave me a time of 56:09 and that's when I realized I was about 12 seconds off of my PR time.  A little disappointed but glad to know that I still ran a strong and more importantly SMART race.

All in all I had a great time.  My chip time ended up being 56:06.3 which was 216th over all and 27th in my age group.   I got to run with my friends, see a lot of new and old friends, and won my Dole Pineapple.

See Results Here

He's a Big Boy Now

My little guy has grown so much since starting preschool two years ago.  He's still somewhat shy, still a mama's boy but he told me that he's ready to go to Kindergarten already!!!

We are appreciative of Princess Bernice Pauahi for including Noah in their scholarship program and for his school for providing a safe, nurturing environment where he was able to grow.  We are amazed at how much he has learned and happy that his education was so balanced.

Congratz Noah on graduating from preschool!

Happy Mommy's Day

Mi Familia

I was one of those little girls who played with dolls.  I had a baby alive, Barbies, Sunshine Hill dolls, stuffed animals, Teddy Bears, and Raggedy Andy.  I was born with that mothering instinct.  I loved playing with little kids, playing school, playing mommy.  I wanted to be a teacher and a mommy forever.

Through life's turns I became a mommy much later in life that I had planned.  I was blessed with D at 33 and N at 35.  It had nothing to do with being ready and everything to do with fate.  As fate would have it, the first man I had ever picked to be the daddy of my kids ended up being the daddy of my kids.

Motherhood has been much harder that I would have imagined it to be, and not because I had pie in the sky ideas about what being a mommy entailed, but probably because I have had strong female role models in my life and I hold high expectations for myself.  I really want to be it all, do it all and I try really hard not to give anything up.  Trying to find that balance has been a struggle when faced with two active, intelligent, and highly competitive kids only 19 months apart.

I want to give these two everything, to be able to expose them to all of life's joys, to be there for them supporting them in all their endeavors while at the same time pursuing my career and dreams as well as enjoying time with friends.  But, in trying to juggle so many balls, something has to give and it is often my patience and sanity.  But I refuse to give in or give up and I continue to pursue it all and strike a balance between the mom, the fashionista, the runner, the wife, the friend, the scholar that are wrestling inside of me.

There are so many things I need to do better, so many things I need to learn to let go of.  The compassionate, passionate, competitive person inside of me holds such a tight grip on me constantly telling me to try harder to be that person that can give everyone I love everything they need.  And the more I try the more it rips me apart.  The more I know what's out there the more I want to give of myself.  The more I live, the more I want the world to be a better place for my babies to grow up in.  And so I give and I give so much so that my bucket feels empty, my frustration level past boiling point, and I want to jump in the car and drive far, far away.

And it's usually at those times that I look into the eyes of my children and realize just how much trust, faith, and unconditional love they have for me and I know that I must do better, be better for them no matter what the cost because it is my destiny, it is who I am, it is what I want.

So for this Mother's Day I offer a hug to all those moms out there who are struggling to achieve that balance.  Who are trying to do it alone and those that are shouldering the load because it's what they do.    Continue to work toward that balance.  Don't beat yourself up when it overwhelms you.  But most importantly, remember to stop and have fun.  Enjoy your kids.  Forget the rules.  Let the house be messy.  Let the clothes get dirty.  Feed them mac n'cheese with no guilt.  Insist that your husband buy you a really good Mother's Day present.  And hug those kids not matter how big they are.

Gecko Gallop!

Somehow I caught the Race itch and while searching online for runs I came across the Gecko Gallop at Hickam Air Force Base.  I spent my summers on the base fishing, crabbing and at the beach swimming so it has always been a special place for me.  I knew that the course would be flat so I decided to sign up!  With both kids in the middle of soccer seasons and me being the coach of one team and the assistant coach of another it was going to be a challenge but I was determined to make it work.  Thankfully the hubby offered to help out so I was free to do the run.

The two weeks before the race should have been an indicator that nothing was going to go smoothly.  I had one kid out with the runs and the other kid out with the barfs.  Hubby and I were not getting any sleep at night, patience was gone, and all hell was breaking loose.  The night before the run one of my sole sisters also had to bow out due to sickness.  It was down to Sheryl and I, and I was at half speed if anything!!!

Since the run was on base I decided to drive since my car has a base sticker since I need access for my job.  I picked up Sheryl at 5:20 am and we headed to Hickam to pick up our race shirts and bibs.  I forgot to mention that a week prior we received an email that we would have to check in at 6 am to pick up shirts (they were not ready) and bibs (they didn't trust that we wouldn't lose them before the race [this should have been a huge heads up!]).  Anyhow, we pulled up to Base, I flashed my DOE badge and we were about to go when the dude told me that I wasn't able to sponsor Sheryl in and that we'd have to get a pass.  Trying to stay calm I told myself to be thankful that car registration, safety check, and insurance were up to date.  We headed in for the pass, used the bathroom and sorta shook our heads when we realized that the list of participants for the run was not even at the gate yet.  We also asked for directions and were told to just head straight then take a right.  Sounded easy enough.

When we got into the car I asked Sheryl to take a look at the map that I had brought that was in my race binder.  She looked at it and we decided we were okay and took off driving.  As we drove we looked for signs, people, anything that would indicate a race was going to be held.  No such luck.  We were half way to the beach when we realized we were lost and decided to head back.  Two loops around the Circle off of Vickers ave and we spotted the parking lot and the gym we were supposed to be headed to.

Once we parked the car we came up with a plan of attack.  We knew we needed to get out bibs and pick up our race shirts so we planned to grab them then head back to the car to prepare for the race.  We headed toward the crowd of people only to figure out that we were again headed in the wrong direction.  We asked people for help and finally found ourselves in line.  Once we picked up our bibs and dri-fit shirts we headed to the bathroom again and were happy to say that it was clean and pretty (even had a sauna).  Only problem was that it was a maze and I couldn't find my way in or out (we went three times and I got lost in the bathroom and trying to leave the bathroom every time).

When we got back to the car we got ourselves ready with our gear and got ready to take our pictures (we do this every race).  A nice man asked us if we wanted him to take our pictures and he mentioned that he liked our lulus, did we work there?  Turns out he and his boys were also decked out in Lulu and later it dawned on me that he was the husband of one of the Lulu Educators who is always at the races and the family always wins awards.

Anyway, we got our pictures taken and headed off to get our chips--all the while complaining that we didn't want to have to take our shoelaces off to put the chips on.  When we neared what we assumed to be the start we headed toward what we thought would be the chip table and of course were wrong.  We looked around and around and didn't see anyone handing out pretty chips.  Finally we turned to see where people were heading and were slightly stunned to see a makeshift stand with velcro straps hanging on them.  These worn items were to be our timers and we were reminded NOT to take them and to return them after the run.  Of course we could not stop laughing.

At this point we just had to wait until start time.  We were chatting and talking when we realized taps was playing and we were the only ones not facing the flag (we weren't so sure where it was but faced the way everyone else was) and then with 15 minutes to spare we went to the bathroom again (2nd time lost).  Finally it was about start time and we were serenaded to the National Anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i by Malika Dudley and her cute baby bump.

Finally it was time to start.  We were told to go up to the front and it was a little weird for me since this was the first "small" run I had ever done and was not accustomed to being near the front.  Finally the horn sounded and we were off.

The first mile took us past the tower that they light up as a Christmas Tree every summer and around Hickam Elementary School to run on the shore.  It was a hot gorgeous day out and it was impossible not to be reminded how I am to live in Hawaii.  We then headed toward the Officer's Club where we had my son's 1st Baby Luau.  Off the shore of the club we were lucky to see a submarine emmerging out of the water.  It was a true photo opportunity but I didn't want to slow down.  Looking back I should have tried to take the picture. Shucks!  At that point we were at 1.5 miles and went from the beautiful shore back out onto the very very hot black roads.  The next few miles were grueling.  The road was hot, the air was humid, and there was ZERO shade.  I kept waiting to see the front of the pack turn around and heading toward me but it took a long time to see number 1, and then my dailymile friend Tomo at number 2 spot.  I saw more men then the first few women and finally up ahead the turn around. I reminded myself that mile 4 is my strong mile and to get ready to pick up the pace.

Speaking of pace, it was my first race wearing my new Garmin 310 that the hubby got for me.  I was loving running with it.  The face is large and so easy to see my pace at a glance.  According to the trusty Garmin I was running at a 9:03 pace which was my game plan.  I felt good about my time but the heat was killing me.  I was running through the water stops and only gulping a few sips as I ran since I hadn't perfected running and drinking from a cup.  At mile 4 is when I realized that it was STUPID of me to choose running light over running with my water bottles and gels.  Because at this point I was beginning to wilt and desperately needed something to give me a boost. I could see my GU Mint Chocolate pack in my bag that I had left in the car and shook my head.

Nevertheless I pushed on and tried to keep my mind strong.  Mile 5, my fastest mile was coming up  At 5 I would go balls out.  Leave it on the course.

It was at mile 5 that the true insanity began.  It started with a very, very heavy breathing at my back--kinda like bull snorting in a Bull Fight or something.  I had an idea who it was, a larger man wearing green that I had passed around 4.5.  Then the heavy breathing was peppered with, "You are successful" (his running mantra I supposed) every few minutes, a couple of s bombs, other talking, and then "you are successful" repeated over and over again.  I wanted to die laughing. I wanted to turn around. I wanted to yell.  But most of all I was yelling to myself my own mantra--THERE IS NO WAY THIS BABOOZE IS GOING TO PASS ME!!  He was getting louder and louder, more and more ragged and that's when I turned on the burners.  A glance at my Garmin showed I was running a 7 minute mile.  I was soo near my PR of 55:54 but I knew I wasn't going to make it.  I still wanted to finish hard and strong so I put my head down and pushed as hard as I could, passing two more men as I crossed the line.

I stopped my Garmin and saw 6.4 miles, 56:24.  Soo bummed, no PR today but happy that I finished strong in spite of the insanity. I removed my velcro chip and wondered if it would be washed before being used again, I did, afterall sweat a lot on it!!!!

I headed toward the food, grabbed a little of everything (lots of bars) and then went to see if my time was posted. At the board I heard a familiar voice behind me, "I couldn't catch you, I tried so hard, but I couldn't catch you...."  I turned around to see green shirt man and he proceeded to ramble about some apology about his mantra.  I avoided eye contact but gave him a high five and told him good run.

The race was over and my chip time ended up being 56:14, about 20 seconds off of my PR but 10 seconds faster than my last 10K.  I was bummed since it was a totally flat course but with the lack of fuel, no wind, crazy heat, humidity, and the insanity of the week I was lucky to have run so fast.

42nd over all, 13th in my age and gender.  :)

I got into my car and headed home.  Two soccer games to coach....what the hell was I thinking?!!  Doing this again next week, what the hell was I thinking?!!!

I was thinking, van mommy CAN DO!!!  Chee hooooo!!!

By the way, we really missed our 3rd Amigo, Teresa!  Next time sole sister!!!  xoxox

Results are here