With anticipation mounting, a euphoria of mixed emotions, and having completed thier training, nine members of the Runners HI Ohana went forth to attempt two days of running on two separate islands to complete a total of 100km or 62.2 miles! Not only did they battle the rigors of the constant pounding of their feet on the road, but also varying environments, fatigue, and time itself! All survived with smiles and fully elated with their results! Most importantly though was that they able to resist the temptation to give up. Congratulation to all for a job well done! A special congratulations to the two newest Hawai`i Marathon Maniacs...Heather & Wily Coyote!!!!
We want to also recognize a very special person to whom none of this could've been possible (or we would've been completely in total chaos). Much Mahalos to our 'guardian angel' Frayed Laces for all the support, care, and constant motivation during the entire March Madness event! She not acted as our driver but volunteered at practically every aide station for Run to the Sun, drove all abou Haleakala Highway checking on every member, saved Brother Shaka from hypoxia (read his account below), and cheered us on with every step! In essence she herself participated in March Madness and survived as she was with us in heart and spirit! Read about her exploits as a doctoral graduate student and ultra-runner in the making here! Congrats and a well deserved round of thanks from all of us (special award to come)!
The 10 from Maui met up with others in Hilo to take part in the Big Island (Hilo) International Marathon and Fun Runs the following day. Congrats to all who ran! A big welcome back to full strength to Brother Mark-E-Mark as he has completely recovered from his ankle injury! Way to go to WW for not only running Sunday but also swimming 2km for five consecutive days (Monday to Friday) prior to doing the marathon! Hey you're did 1/3 of a marathon!!!!
Here's a few comments and descriptions regarding the events from some of participants with more to come from the new Maniacs!
Run to the Sun 2008 (aka R2S):
Aloha Ohana...
Well nine of us all survived both the Run to the Sun and the Hilo marathon!!! And we could not have done it without our very vital support person Frayed Laces!!! Actually if it wasn't for her, I may not have completed the Run to the Sun!!!...REALLY!!!!! Basically what had happened was that I did not stick to the game plan and I threw out the "I'm going to just cruise the Run to the Sun" out the window and kept running up the hill like there's was no tomorrow. As I was working my way up, I noticed something going on within my head but I just could not pinpoint the exact feeling. I started feeling a little woozy but kept my steady pace nontheless. As Frayed Laces kept driving by, she would always ask how I was doing I would always say that I am doing fine but she had noticed my behavior changing. It wasn't until around the I think the mile 32 aid station that she had me start walking. Actually I had forgotten to fill up my water bottle so she had me go back to the aid station and fill it up. She kept insistiing that I should start walking and I initially would have nothing of that. As I left the aid station, my head was REALLY SPINNING BIG TIME!!! I think I started to run/jog but after a bit of that, I told myself "Maybe I'd better listen to her!!!" So I started to walk. The last 4 miles was a real struggle. It was more mental than physical. My body felt fine. My head though was definitely in the "Clouds"!!! I remember joking with some of the aid station volunteers because when I would stop to resupply, I was staggering. I could not stand still and I would tell the volunteers to stop moving around.
When I crossed the finish line, I was told to sit down. I was covered with a blanket and the first thing I told them was that I wanted to stay so that I can see everyone finish. Someone said if I feel better but I was told I needed to get back down to sea level ASAP otherwise. Sure enough, I was not feeling better so I was brought back down. It took a couple of hours once back at the hotel, but next thing I knew, I was back to normal. I guess that meant I had no excuse to not run the Hilo marathon the following day...
Aloha,
Shaka
Aloha Ohana...
Well nine of us all survived both the Run to the Sun and the Hilo marathon!!! And we could not have done it without our very vital support person Frayed Laces!!! Actually if it wasn't for her, I may not have completed the Run to the Sun!!!...REALLY!!!!! Basically what had happened was that I did not stick to the game plan and I threw out the "I'm going to just cruise the Run to the Sun" out the window and kept running up the hill like there's was no tomorrow. As I was working my way up, I noticed something going on within my head but I just could not pinpoint the exact feeling. I started feeling a little woozy but kept my steady pace nontheless. As Frayed Laces kept driving by, she would always ask how I was doing I would always say that I am doing fine but she had noticed my behavior changing. It wasn't until around the I think the mile 32 aid station that she had me start walking. Actually I had forgotten to fill up my water bottle so she had me go back to the aid station and fill it up. She kept insistiing that I should start walking and I initially would have nothing of that. As I left the aid station, my head was REALLY SPINNING BIG TIME!!! I think I started to run/jog but after a bit of that, I told myself "Maybe I'd better listen to her!!!" So I started to walk. The last 4 miles was a real struggle. It was more mental than physical. My body felt fine. My head though was definitely in the "Clouds"!!! I remember joking with some of the aid station volunteers because when I would stop to resupply, I was staggering. I could not stand still and I would tell the volunteers to stop moving around.
When I crossed the finish line, I was told to sit down. I was covered with a blanket and the first thing I told them was that I wanted to stay so that I can see everyone finish. Someone said if I feel better but I was told I needed to get back down to sea level ASAP otherwise. Sure enough, I was not feeling better so I was brought back down. It took a couple of hours once back at the hotel, but next thing I knew, I was back to normal. I guess that meant I had no excuse to not run the Hilo marathon the following day...
Aloha,
Shaka
March Madness Summary:
On Saturday we were among a full field of runners who did the Run to the Sun on Maui. This 36.2 run from sea level to the 10,023 feet summit of Haleakala was the first ultra for some in our group. Stiff achy muscles and a few blistered feet but everyone accomplished this first leg of our weekend journey. Descending the mountain, we barely made our connecting flight to Hilo. A couple of us didn't even have time to shower.
On Sunday we finished the Hilo Marathon. Everyone was so happy the course was only 26 miles and relatively flat compared to the previous day.Everyone had a tremendously successful weekend filled with many memories. Most notable will be "Shaka"s delirious antics and subsequent headache as he suffered from hypoxia at the summit of Haleakala.
-maniacles
No comments:
Post a Comment