'Short' Race Weekend

It's just the beginning of summer here in Hawai`i (though it feels like it's summer here 9 months of the year), and what better way to start it all off than with a couple of short races! This weekend was jam-packed with a wide assortment of things to do. The Ohana was well represented at all of them. Before getting into all the race reviews, first would like to say welcome back to Valerie V. and Frayed Laces (Laura K) whom participated in their first run races since recovering from various injuries/illnesses! Great to see you both back in the 'run' of things!

Saturday, 10May2008

Jamba Juice Bananaman Chase 5k at Ala Moana (Magic Island) Beach Park, 7am start
The basic fast & flat run around Magic Island & Ala Moana Beach Park, but with a twist! Chase the goofballs in the banana suits and you win some Jamba Juice. Place overall or take your AG and get your fill of fruity fun for an entire year! The Ohana that took part in this did really well! Great job! As I mentioned previously 'Welcome back Frayed Laces!'
Ohana Results:
JUSTIN H. Time: 15:33.7 Pace: 4:51/M *2nd Place Overall!! Jambas for all!!!
KEVIN E. Time: 16:50.3 Pace: 5:15/M *Placed in AG: 1 M 16-19 More Jamba Juice!!!
DAVID C. Time: 19:00.5 Pace: 5:55/M
DENISE C. Time: 21:58.0 Pace: 6:51/M * Placed in AG: 1 F 40-49 Even more Jamba!!
LAURA K. Time: 22:19.7 Pace: 6:57/M * PR for a 5k (even before injury)! Welcome back!
GIANNI C. Time: 24:24.6 Pace: 7:36/M

H.U.R.T. Run-with-a-View 8-mile trail run from Park about the trails in Pearl City, 7am start
The race started at the neighborhood park at the corner of Kaahele St. and Naalii St. where participants ran 1/2-mile UP Kaahele St. to the trailhead to make a 7-mile clockwise loop on trails before returning back down Kaahele St. to the park. The only aid station at the 3.5 mile mark which was well stashed with Gatorade, water, and a smiling volunteer!
The finish was well stocked with great homemade goodies, juice, water and socializing! There was some debate which was the best, the muffins or the chocolate mochi!The biggest talk of post-race however were regarding 'dirty girls.com'....I mean, 'dirtygirlgaiters.com'! Guess people don't like having a little momento from the trails to take along with them! Hehehe!
The only 'bad' comment on this was that the trail was dry with no mud present....when do the real H.U.R.T. races begin!!!! All had a great time! Big kudos for H.U.R.T. for putting all these runs on!
Ohana Results: Not available at time I decided to post this, but who cares! All finished and had loads of fun! Partipants from the Ohana included Johnny 'Shaka', Mark E. Mark (aka da Rock), Lynda N. (*Placed in top ten females), Ray W., Brenda T. Jim (one of the original of the Ohana)& Jeff F. Cynthia & Glenn T. who live right across the street from the finish area, were awesome in coming out to see everyone then volunteered to go out on the trail to pull all the marking ribbons down! Btw, now we have a new place for an 'aid-station' during hill training!
Also present (as always) were Huddy, Fish, Gordon L., Ernest T., Marian Y., and the McCallisters (complete with the two 'kids')!


33rd Annual Pineapple (10k) Run in Wahiawa, 7am start (race review by Mr T)
This morning was the Pineapple Run 10k (but should be renamed as a 11k). The field started off under a drizzle/rain. It helped to keep the temperature down for a better part of the day.For those who havent run this course, it is a loop outof Wahiawa towards the North Shore, turning back towards Schofield Barracks, ultimately returning to Wahiawa, going down the main drag. Tim and Valerie were there with George along for the ride. Laura earned a spot on the podium, Way to GO!!
Pineapples to every finisher (over 600 distributed), this is one of those things worth bonking for that you read about in RW. I already cut mine up, and it was the best one I have tasted, but that comes with running 6.7 miles to get a big piece of fruit. Everything is better when you earn it.
Ohana Results:
LAURA S. Time: 55:04.2 Pace: 8:09/M *Placed 3 F 20-29
DANIEL T. Time: 56:22.1 Pace: 8:21/M
ANNE G. Time: 1:03:34.2 Pace: 9:25/M
TIMOTHY V. Time: 1:03:36.6 Pace: 9:25/M
VALERIE & GEORGE V. Time: 1:31:10.0 Pace: 13:30/M * 1st run post-surgery! Welcome back!

MAG-24 Sprint Triathlon at MCBH Kaneohe Bay, 730a start
One of the shortest and fastest of the local triathlons in Hawai`i (hence a sprint). Quick rundown of the race is a 500m swim in the gross water in Kaneohe Bay followed by a very fast twisting 11-mile bike ride through the base (where I crashed last year in missing the last turn to T2), then a hilly but fast 3-mile (5k) run up the back end of the base!
Ohana Results: No results posted as of yet but those from the Ohana that competed were Dave L., Mike G., and Wyatt W.

Sunday, 11May2008
Popoia Swim at Kailua Beach Park - 1.6 miles around Flat Island and back, 8am start
Nice swim in the waters of Kailua Beach, though currents can be a bit sketchy for the landlovers (novice swimmers). Like the MAG-24 Tri no results as of yet but Justin H. & Wyatt W. did take part and likely did very well.


Pearl Harbor Bike Path 10K at Lehua School , 7am start
Another race that takes place in the Ohana's 'turf'! Similar to the Bananaman Chase the course is a flat, fast, out & back route from Lehua School to the other end of the path past the Pearl Harbor Marina. Quick U-turn around the cone with an aid-station and you're on your way back! Same results as Saturday with many of the Ohana on the podium!


Ohana Results:
David Carlsson Time: 39:59 Pace: 6:26/M *Placed in AG 1/5 M40-44 -guess he's all recovered from injury?
Joseph A. Time 43:00 Pace: 6:55/M *Placed in AG 3/7 M45-49
Carole H. Time: 48:54 Pace: 7:52/M *Place in AG 1/3 F45-49
Mike H. Time: 48:55 Pace: 7:53/M *Way to go Onipa`a, possible PR??
Mina Loreto Time: 49:11 Pace: 7:55/M *Placed in AG 2/5 M55-59
TC Time: 49:15 Pace: 7:56/M * Placed in AG 1/8 M60-64
Mike P. Time: 50:54 Pace: 8:12/M *Placed in AG 2/8 M60-64
Judith Inazu Time: 54:35 Pace: 8:47/M *Placed in AG 1/2 F55-59

Runners' HI Hardcore Distance Run, meet 530a at the shop parking lot with planned route of 20-something miles
For all those that wanted to put in their miles and not pay the $$$, the gang continued their high mileage training in the morning. In the world of maniacles and Shaka, planned run doesn't mean 'we're sticking to the route'! They began sporadically adding in all the hills that were along the route. Only 'Da Rock' was able to stick it out with them for a total of 21-miles! JF finally gave in to the sheer pain of ITB injuries and the constant wear & tear doing too much but managed to log in a very painful 16. Da Man & Raymond S. did the simple route into Moanalua Valley and back to the shop for 17.

All in all, it was a very exciting and fun-filled weekend for all. As soon as the results for the MAG-24 Triathlon & the Poipoia Swim are up, I'll post them in a follow-up! Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Not to be out-done or go without mentioning, much mahalos and sincere kow-towing to our USPS carriers, maniacles & da Man for all the extra volunteer hours they put in for the FoodBank food drive! Both stayed into the wee hours of Saturday evening and arrived Sunday on-time and eager to run! Neither shirked from the miles they wanted to put in or took any wrong turns!
Take care all and 'see ya on the roads/trails'!