Hibiscus Half Marathon 5.26.13

The Hibiscus Half Marathon is a race that marks the "end" of my Spring racing season.  Since Hawaii summers are wicked I don't tend to sign up for races during June and July, and not many are scheduled any way.  Last year during my first racing season I used this time to run for fun and focus on things OTHER than running.

This year I added the North Shore Marathon to my race after I signed up for the Hibiscus Half.  I thought it would be problematic but I didn't realize just how much.  I learned that I definitely slump mentally and physically after a marathon and my mind and body needs a couple of months to bounce back.  Post North Shore Marathon I gained weight and struggled with my injured knees.  Two short races (a 5K and 10K) were good for my confidence but masked the fact that I wasn't training long distances needed to maintain a good pace for a Half Marathon.  Post North Shore Marathon I logged a 7 miler, 8 miler and 10 miler but none were good runs.  I knew I wasn't ready for a Half Marathon but of course I was going to try.

Heading in to this weekend I kept with my usual routine.  I hydrated as much as I could and we went to our favorite restaurant, "Bravos" for dinner.  I ordered my usual pasta dish but for whatever reason didn't order the salad that I normally ate with it.  After dinner I got home, got everything ready, hydrated some more and got a good night's sleep.  I didn't do too much planning for the race because I was not yet ready to commit to going for the sub 2 hour marathon that the Hibiscus was supposed to be.  I was going to make a game day decision and go with it.

I woke up bright and early at 3 Sunday morning and got ready to go.  I went through my normal race day routine but just couldn't get myself to "go" if you know what I mean.  I tried several times and with no luck decided it meant that my body was good to go.  We headed to Kapiolani Park to join our friends.

When we got to the park we learned that the only bathrooms open were 5 Porta-Potties.  We got into a long line and waited.  I was a little worried because I wasn't sure what my body was going to need and I knew I could never "go" in a porta pottie.  Well, it didn't matter because after using the bathroom we got to the start line with only 5 minutes to spare and we missed all of the instructions. Standing in line with 5 minutes to start my stomach felt a little weird and I started to get nervous.  My skirt and bra felt tight and I pounded on my stomach to try and relieve the gas and tried to re-arrange my clothes to feel comfortable.  The sound of a horn took me by surprise and we started to run.  As we headed up Diamond Head I noticed that the 10:30 pace I was running did not feel comfortable and I was already out of the game mentally. At that point I took myself out of the race and resigned to just try and finish.  Not sure why or how or what came over me because this is not normal for competitive type A me.  I think somewhere in my head I just wanted to give myself a well-deserved break and the chance to run without trying to "win."  When we got to Triangle Park, mile 3 my stomach was definitely feeling bloated and as we took our first water break I told the hubby let's walk through it.  He was totally shocked and said something about it.  I ignored him and ran on.

After leaving Triangle Park I began thinking about bathrooms. I knew there was one at Kaimuki Middle School and a stall at the Gas Station.  I decided that I would go to the Kaimuki bathroom. I knew it meant veering way off course but I decided that it was my best bet.  So, after passing the school I told hubby I was going to the bathroom and went off course, about a quarter mile to go. I ran quickly to the bathroom and hoped that nature would take its course so that I could get on with the race but it was not to be.  I left my Garmin running but I didn't check to see how many minutes I was "wasting" taking care of business.   I waited for what seemed like an eternity until I was able to get some relief.  I ran out as fast as I could and we got back on course.  I knew that we had lost a lot of time and it was okay. I was concentrating on getting my ass across the line as best as I could, the race was already "lost" time wise but there was still 13.1 miles to conquer.  Running a slow race was the least of my problems and I needed to focus and get the miles done.

Mile 4 was ahead of me and I was still feeling gassy and gross.  It's pretty hard to run when you feel like there's a bubble that needs to be burst in your stomach and when your mind if just asking for relief!!! Not knowing what my body was going to want and being so far away from any bathrooms was  a horrible distraction.  I told myself to just get to mile 6 and the halfway point and we'd see where I was.

In all honesty as I neared the Gas Station I contemplated veering off and taking the 15K route back to the finish line.  It wouldn't matter!  I would still get my medal and a time.  As much as I told myself I could do that I knew I wouldn't and so we got on Kalanianaole Highway and ran out to the turn around.

By this time other runners were heading back and the sun was high in the sky and beating on my face.  I tried not to think and just continue on auto pilot but at this point my knees started to hurt and my mind became preoccupied with gas and shitty knees.  I didn't care how long it took I just wanted to get the damn race over with and so I tried to push on as much as I could.

As we approached the turn around I was happy and a little PISSED.  There was no mat at the turn around so I sure as hell could've cheated and turned around at any point, run less and get a better time!! I know you know that I would never do that..but a tired, in pain, gassy woman has strange thoughts when out in the middle of nowhere with no car, and a shitty time hanging over their head!!!

I told myself to just shut the hell up and get my ass moving and I ran on.  Heading back to Kapiolani is much better.  You get to see other runners running toward you and the sun is at your back.  My knees were killing me because of the slanted ground I was running on but I was determined to try and make up some time.  Miles 7-11 I swore at my knees a lot. I strayed from a runner who uses mantras to motivate to a runner who cursed their body parts. "Damn you effing knees,"  "My knees suck!"  "Mo fo knees!" "My stomach is a bitch!"  "My stomach hates me!"  "I am full of gas!"  All kinds of things were coming out of my mouth and being screamed in my head.

Finally, at mile 10, just before getting on to Kahala Avenue the Tums Gods bestowed upon me a gift and I was able to let one rip.  The huge bubble in my stomach disappeared and I was able to get some relief.  WHEW!!!  Let's run a little faster and get outta here!!

As I turned on to Kahala I was filled with dread and hope.  Dread because this is the shittiest part of the race, and hope because the torture was almost over.   3 miles!  At the most 33 minutes and this nightmare would be over!!!  Finish strong!!!

I was finally able to find some part of the old runner me and I put my head down and got to business.  I was able to pick up the pace here and by mile 12 I saw a lot of the runners we had started the race with.  We were back!!!

As I headed up Diamond Head I just told myself to run hard no matter what, run strong, hold my head up, and bring it home.  I ran up the hill passing many tired runners and felt good about it.  As I looked at my watch I realized that a few months ago I was already done with my Half Marathon and I also realized that my time was going to be slower than any other Half Marathon time I had ever had.  These revelations could have made me give up but I refused to. I simply refused to become that kind of runner.  The kind of runner who quits and is embarrassed of their shitty runs.  No, that would not be me.  I would own this race no matter how shitty my time. I would not make excuses I would learn from it. I would learn how to keep pushing hard in the face of defeat.  I would learn to lose gracefully. I would learn to embrace the suck.

And so I descended the mountain strong and headed toward the finish.  The road into Kapiolani Park is the part of the race that I would normally turn on the burner but today there was very little gas left in the tank and I told myself to just hold a steady pace and finish on my own two feet.  The hubby and I ran in strong together and as we neared the finish line I grabbed his hand and we crossed together.  It was always a wish of his to finish this way and we were finally able to.

After we received our medals I looked at my time and saw 2:18.  Up until today my slowest Half Marathon time had been 2:13 (at my first Half Marathon in April 2012).  I also knew that I ran this same Half Marathon last year in 2:11.  2:18 was slow for me, especially with my 52:53 finish in last week's 10K.  I went from an 8:30 pace to a 10:30 pace.  I pushed the thoughts out of my head and went to cheer on my friends and participate in our normal post-race shenanigans.  And that's how it came back to me.  The reasons for running.  The fun friends, positive attitude, the healthy life style.  All of these were so much more important that a PR.  There would be many more races and other opportunities to so sub 2.

*     *     *      *

Post race I have had a lot of time to reflect.  Am I disappointed? Yes.  Of course I am. I had an opportunity to improve my time and I wasn't able to.  But that's okay.  Losing every so often keeps one hungry, helps one to continue to improve, creates motivation. I had been smashing my records race after race this year. In every race that I ran up until this point I created a new PR. One cannot keep up such a success rate. In fact, that type of success rate probably would have led to serious injury and faster burn out.  Today's race gave me the ok to take a break and rest my tired body. Something that I might now have learned had I smashed my Half Marathon PR.  

And so, Spring Racing Season is over. I am going to take a break from long runs, do some Yoga and Zumba, try to lose some weight, and not worry so much about 30 and 40 mile weeks.  I will take the few months to re-charge and find my mojo.  I am going to get it back, I just know it!!!

I leave you with my award-winning Hibiscus Half Haiku:

slather body glide
put bandaids on those nipples
vaseline those toes

Van mommy is outta here. Got to ice the old lady knees!!!

Volunteerism

I heard the term, "volunteerism" for the first time in my early 20s. I can remember the first time I heard the word very clearly. I was sitting in a summer school class and my Educational Foundations teacher kept saying the word over and over again but I had no idea what in the world he was talking about.  I finally raised my hand and asked, "Excuse me, what is, 'Wolunteerism?'"  You see, he was from another country and he pronounced his "v's" as "w's." And so I learned that in some languages v's and w's are interchangeable, and more importantly that it was important for society and humanity that we practice the spirit of volunteering.

While the term was new to me, the act was something modeled for me all my life. I remember the first time my parents showed me the importance of "volunteerism."  I had just finished playing mini sox Bobby Sox and my mom and dad who were lovers of the sport had just finished coaching and managing my team.  Since the season was over and they wanted me to stay active (I was nine at the time) they decided to jump on the band wagon of AYSO soccer.  After they signed me up they waited and waited but no one ever called to say they were my coach.  When they finally called the league commissioner they learned that there were not enough coaches and I would not be able to play.

So what did my parents do?  They did what any other good citizen would do and they signed up to coach my team. At that time soccer was new to Hawaii and they knew nothing about the sport.  While my parents were both athletic and lovers of all sports they had never played or watched a soccer game.  I can still remember the conversations they had and clearly remember going to Honolulu Book Store to buy books on coaching soccer.  Mom and Dad read, highlighted, and came up with practice drills, game strategy and in our first year, the "Gazelles" came in first place for the Girls 9-10 age group.

From then on my mom and dad coached every soccer and bobby sox team that my brother and I ever played on.  Whether it was AYSO or HYSA mom and dad were there coaching and leading Mililani youth.  We won many titles, cups, and even took trips to the Mainland.  They did this together as a team on their own time while working full time jobs and raising four kids.  Their energy was boundless, they gave and shaped many lives.

Today I am a mother of two children who are active in youth sports.  While other parents choose not to get involved due to the time constraints and the DRAMA I feel compelled to always step in and help.  My friends and husband think I am CRAZY but it's in my blood and feel the need to continue the legacy that mom and dad have started. Sports have given me so much.  I have made countless friends through sports and had opportunities to see the world and earn a good education.  Crazy? No, I am indebted to the volunteers who shaped me into the person that I am today and I am lucky to be able to have the same impact on a whole new generation of athletes.

Volunteerism?  I am in!!!!

Now remind me of this when I begin coaching Dannika's softball team this summer!!!

Pineapple Run 10K 5.18.2013

The Pineapple Run is the closest run to my home.  Wahiawa is a little town North of Mililani in between home and the famous North Shore beaches.  Wahiawa is an older town than Mililani and growing up all of our doctor and dentist appointments were here. I know the town well from visiting in my youth and also because I work in many of the schools here.  In fact, the start site is at one of the schools that I spend most of my time at, Ka'ala Elementary!!!

This was my second time running this race.  I almost left it off the Racing Schedule due to my North Shore injuries but when my good buddy Jo decided to run I was all in!!!

It's been super hot and humid so I didn't get a lot of training going into this race.  I have been suffering from stress and a running slump so I wasn't sure how I would fare in this race.  With the Hibiscus Half Marathon scheduled next week I really didn't want to push or get injured either.  As you can see, my training is spot on, my mind is pretty tough, but as far as racing confidence and putting it all out there, I have a long way to go!!!

My race alarm woke me up from one of the first good night's sleep in a long time and I got ready.  Jo would pick me up and we'd go to the race together.  Riding with friends always keeps me relaxed and we chatted about our friends and work on the short ride to Wahiawa.  We easily found parking, used the bathroom and then cruised at the start line.  Soon after we saw Paul, Heather, and even Jana and Margeaux.  It was a nice cool and overcast day, perfect for racing!!  As the 7:00 start time approached the starter got on the megaphone and let us know that the start would be delayed because all of the buses from the shuttle still hadn't made it to the event.  We all worried about the sun coming out and having to run in the heat and humidity.  The course is hilly and has zero shade so this was a definite concern!!!

While waiting, a strange guy came and tried to pick up Heather.  It was pretty humorous and after her body language let him know that she was not interested he moved onto another bunch of women and tried his luck there.  Not sure if he was successful as the race was finally about to begin.

As the horn sounded I took off.  At that point I still wasn't sure if I was going to race, relax, or what.  But I took off with the pack at an 8:45 pace.   I normally never start out this quick but I decided I had nothing to lose and would push the pace until I could do so no longer.  By .5 miles I was feeling a little tight in the chest but decided to keep pushing.  I could always lay off later. We began to descend toward the bridge that would take us out of Wahiawa and toward Helemano. Up this first hill I pushed hard and tried to keep a steady, even pace.  I reminded myself that hills are my strength and I ran passing as many people as I could.  At the top of the hill I was winded and went into cruise control as we ran on Kamehameha Highway.  Last year this was the hottest part of the course as we ran through former pineapple fields.  Lucky for us, the sun didn't peek out behind the clouds and this portion wasn't too bad.  After about a mile on the highway we turned left and headed toward Schofield. This portion of the course was a nice descend and I ran strong but didn't push too hard as to save the knees. I did, however, remind myself that this was the best place to pick up speed as there was a hill to get over before heading back to Wahiawa to finish the race.

As I neared the next hill I looked at my time and saw I was holding steady at the 8:45 pace. I had totally forgot what pace I needed to break the 53:13 PR I had set at last month's 10K.  I still wasn't sure if I was going to try and break but I ran very strong up the hill and passed a number of people.

At the top of the hill I knew I was half way done and decided to keep to my pace.  I was feeling okay, the sun wasn't draining my energy and a few shot blox were holding my energy up.  No issues with the knees or ankles so it was time to hold pace and stay strong.

At mile 5 I heard my name and saw my classmate Rod. It was such a nice surprise and seeing him gave me the kick in the pants I needed.  I was at 45 minutes and a sub 9 minute mile would get me to a new PR.  Thinking about Rod, a former runner and CF butt kicker was the inspiration that I needed and I pushed harder.  I was about to round the corner into Wahiawa and it was time to kick. I kicked up the hill ascending into Wahiawa Town and passed a few more runners here, including the target I was keeping pace on for the first 5 miles of the race.  At the left turn on Olive Ave I put on the burners and went into high gear. I didn't check my Garmin as I usually do and instead ran on pure guts.  I was about to break the 53 minute barrier if I could just hold on. As I made the last turn to the finish line I sprinted as hard as I could and passed another runner.  As my chip beeped I stopped my Garmin and saw the numbers I wanted to see...52.  A new PR!!!  Stoked!!

I ended the race with a 52:53, 20 seconds better than the PR set last month and 4 minutes better than my time on this course last year.  It was such a happy moment!!!

After the race we chatted with the running crew, took our pictures then headed home to our families, basketball games, baseball games, parties, and the like.  It was another great racing day!!

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society volunteer at so many of the races that I race in. I would like to give back to these volunteers. Please help me raise money. I will also be volunteering (and not racing) at future events, in the meantime I will be running in the Hibiscus Half Marathon on May 26, 2013. How about donating 1 dollar per mile to a great cause?!! Thank you!

If you would like to help, please click on the link below or on the widget on the main page of this blog.  

http://www.crowdrise.com/tropicaltriplecrown/fundraiser/renepadilla

Thank you!!!

The big 5-0-0!!!

Today is the day that I have been gunning for:   Day 500 of my run streak!!!!

I celebrated it with a 5K run, 3 scoops of ice cream, and new Lululemon Speed Shorts.

If you have been following along you'll know that I initially took on a challenge to run at least 1 mile a day every day in 2012.  Well, when 2012 came to an end I just kept running. I wasn't sure how long I was going to do this run streak but trying to stop became harder than going out an running every day.  366 days became 400 and once I got to 400 I decided 500 was a nice round number.

There were a few days when I was going to stop.  And I wasn't going to stop because of injury or illness..I was going to stop because it seemed just a little crazy to be running every day for 400 something days.  I had two friends who kept me going, Kathy and Dee.  Kathy messaged me a couple of times to keep going and Dee put the idea of going for 500 in my mind. These two gals have been friends of mine forever and have been nothing but supportive in my crazy quest.  We all need cheerleaders in our lives and I am lucky to have these 2!!!

Anyway, every time I was about to stop I came to my senses and went out and run. There were two nights that I fell asleep, woke up, and bolted out of bed for a 9pm run.  On those days I have to thank the hubby who either ran with me or understood my crazy need to go out and run.  I am lucky to be married to a man who totally gets that I am goal-oriented and will go to crazy ends to complete something that I set out to do.

This 500 day journey has taught me a lot about myself.  I have learned that I am strong, stubborn, and can pretty much accomplish anything I set my mind to. This journey has made me mentally tough. I remember the day after the North Shore marathon. I was in the worst pain of my life and I somehow hobbled 1.5 miles through the pain.  Hopping, shuffling, sometimes walking, I pushed through and was mentally stronger than I was physically strong.  It is empowering to know that my mind can pull me out of such situations,  and as a marathon runner it's important for me to know that I can rely on my mind to pull me through.

Another thing I learned in this journey is that planning is everything. I am a very busy mom of two, I coach, I have a part-time job, and I give in to my kids' every whim.  Therefore, I always had to have a plan in my head about when I would run.  Football season that coincided with soccer season was always tricky. I would either have to wake up early and run before everything started, or run after the football game was over.  Sometimes I would come home from work and run a fast mile because we had plans in the afternoon.  This taught me that if it is important you WILL find a way.  I will never again complain that I don't have time to work out because the truth is, is that EVERYONE has time to work out.  You just have to make it a priority and plan accordingly.

I know the big question now is, "How much longer are you gonna go?"  To be honest, I have no plans. I will keep running because it is my passion and my mind craves the quiet calm it gives me.  I do, however, want to take a break from the slight pressure the streak has put on me.  But like with all things in my life I will take it as it comes.

So, the stats from my run streak are as follows:

500 days running at least a mile
Last rest day was December 26, 2011 and before that it was November 29, 2011
Total miles run:
2011 streak:  24 miles
2012 streak:  1764 miles
2013 streak:  629 miles
Total miles in streak:  2418 miles
Average miles run per day:  4.83 miles

I have also run 2 marathons, 5 Half Marathons, and a number of 10 ks and other races in this time period (24 total).

Thank you everyone that has cheered me on and supported me in this endeavor.  I dedicate this streak to my family and especially the light of my lives:  Dannik and Noah :)

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!

There are only two things I have ever wanted to be:  a teacher and a mommy.

I have known I wanted to be a teacher since the 1st grade.  I am sure the fact that my parents were both teachers had a lot to do with it but even before I could understand that I loved to play school, loved being in school, and always loved my teachers.

I can pretty much name all of the teachers I have ever had:

Kindergarten:  Mrs. Kunishima and Mrs. Onishi
1st:  Mrs. Makekau
2nd:  Mrs. Realin
3rd:  Mrs. Ricker
4th: Mrs Tamura, Mr. Miyashiro and Mrs. Yasunaga (my favorite)
5th: Mrs. Kubota
6th: Mrs. Mansho (one of the best ever!)

I can name my teachers in Intermediate and Highschool too but that would take forever.  Nevertheless my favorites were:

Mr. Greenhill, Mr. Matsunaga, Uncle Ed, Kiki Fordham, Mr. Berg, Mrs. McKibbin, and Mrs. Andrasick.

In college:

Sue McFadden, Dr. Kathy Au, Dr. J, Dr. Zilliox, Donna Grace, Margi Maaka, Pat Lopes, Lani Carson, Judy Cramer.

I could tell you why each and everyone of these individuals impacted my life and exactly how.  I can still remember the whole language activities Mrs. Makekau did with us, I can tell you that Mrs. Mansho had the BEST relationships with all of her students.  I can tell you that Pat Lopes and Dr. Kathy Au are the reasons I taught at the community college for awhile.  I can tell you that Kiki Fordham's class made me consider being a dancer for a living, and that Mr. Matsunaga was the only math teacher that ever made me feel like I could actually do math.

Each of these individuals impacted my life with their gift of teaching and I am forever grateful for their inspiration and their modeling that helped shaped the kind of teacher that I am today.

They will never be fully appreciated for the jobs that they have done and continue to do but I am forever grateful for them.

She may be but little, but she is fierce!

My husband snapped a photo of our daughter at her race this morning.



And when I saw it I thought of a picture I have of me at the start of a race.

It makes me totally happy that I have a fierce little fire cracker on my hands!  Life if never easy with this one.  She is 110% independent and confident. She knows what she wants and exactly how she is going to go about getting it.  She wants it done her way all the time.  Life with D is never easy but it is always exciting.  Having a daughter is really the best gift ever!

Jamba Juice Banana Man 5K & Keiki Fun Run

Today it was the kids' turn to shine. Instead of racer I was a cheerleader and spectator.  I vow to be a volunteer at a race in the very near future too!!!

http://www.jambahawaii.com/banana-man-5k-keiki-fun-run-2012

This was the second time the kids participated in this event and this year we got to the event on time so that the kids could participate in the Speed and Quickness Drills with Rich Miano.  They got to do some running and jumping activities and loved it!  They are now asking to attend Speed and Quickness Clinics which is FINE WITH ME since they have added an adult class OH YEAH!!!

http://www.hawaiispeedandquickness.com/index.html

The actual Fun Run is over in a blink of an eye since it's only 500 meters and it's also a little chaotic.  Last year I had to carry Noah so that we weren't last.  This year he was excited to run by himself and I was relieved.

We were lucky enough to be at the event with our good friends and their kids so they were all excited about the run and all finished strong and with smiles.

After the run they enjoyed the activities such as the Bounce House, games and Jamba Juice.  We then found a shady spot and sat down to picnic.  With the beach so close by we should have known that there was no stopping them.  As the adults enjoyed food and the shade we watched as they slowly but surely went all in into the water fully clothed. :)  Who can blame them?!!

Today was one of those rare perfect days in Paradise!!