Long, long ago I decided to sign up for the Hapalua Half Marathon. When they released the date during early registration over a year ago I knew things were going to be problematic. They moved the traditionally March race to April which historically for me has been a very busy racing month. With the fee only being 40 dollars I had to pay then worry later.
Earlier this year I learned that the Hapalua and North Shore Marathon would be one week apart. Because I love the Hapalua and had plans for the race I didn't think I would be drawn to run the North Shore. Of course I was wrong and shortly after the high of the December 2013 Honolulu Marathon I sent my 100 dollars to 808 Race for the pleasure of running 26.2 miles.
About a month after scheduling myself with a back to back Full Marathon and Half Marathon I learned that my favorite 10k was scheduled the day before the North Shore Marathon and therefore 8 days before the Hapalua Half Marathon. At first I convinced myself that I didn't NEED to run the race. But then I learned that my sister would be flying down to Kauai to do the race with my other sister. How could I say no.
And so I found myself signed up for 45.5 miles of races in 8 days for the price of about 200 bucks in registration fees (we won't count how much the outfits costs, lol). I asked runner friends for their advice on this crazy move and of course they told me to go for it. I wasn't sure how it would all end up but I hoped that if I played my card right I would be able to finish all three races.
My plan to get through the 8 days was to take it easy, no attempt to PR and to go slower that I had ever gone in my life. I had to remind myself that the object was not to run supah fast, but instead, to run and still be standing at the end of all the races.
And that is exactly what I did. I completed all three races with the SLOWEST times I had ever recorded for each of the distances: 1:03 10K, 4:51 Marathon, and 2:21 Half Marathon. My mantra for all three was, "no shame in my game" and I constantly reminded myself NOT to race. This was hardest for the 10K when my legs were fresh. I had to accept the fact that I would run my first hour plus 10K and be ok. With 26.2 looming ahead of me it wasn't that hard.
For the Full Marathon I convinced myself that it would be okay if I ran a plus 5hour marathon, but the truth is is that I really wanted to stay under 5. I managed to meet my goal time while taking a lot of pictures, walking through water stops, a crazy prolonged bathroom break, and enjoying the beauty of the North Shore. I was super stoked to be able to meet that time and was super grateful to my friend Cathy who helped me by running the last 7 miles with me and keeping my focused and on track.
After the Full Marathon I had many issues with my knees. My body does not take well to running on slanted roads and pretty much the entire North Shore Marathon is run on slants. So, I took it easy and prayed that I would be well enough to participate and finish the Hapalua.
My fabulous hubby did deep tissue massages on my left leg and had it feeling pretty good for two mile runs. I hoped that the knee would hold up for 13.1.
Since the Hapalua is my favorite race I was excited!!! We got to the start early and were ready. However, as the race began I could tell that my leg was tight and it would be a close race. I slowed down for most of the race, much slower than I would have expected to and with every step hoped that my leg would now give out. It was not a sharp pain, but a dull pain that could go either way. I know I was heavily over compensating with my right leg and I tried to just push on as best as I could. At mile 10 the hill came and it seemed that my leg was finally beginning to loosen up. I ran up Diamond Head as strong as I could and finally hit the pace times that I was used to. Negative splits!!!
As I sit here and write I feel a profound sense of achievement and strength in all that I was able to do. Sure, they weren't the fastest of races, but I set a goal that seemed way out of reach and was able to conquer my fears by being smart. I am thankful for everyone who cheered me on and supported me in my journey.
And now I rest. :) I will surely continue my streak but I'll be running very, very short runs. :)
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