Runners' HI Update...A LOOOONG Weekend!

This past weekend, October 25 & 26th, was perhaps the busiest in terms of not only the Ohana participating in various events but as Maniacles reports "There were 24 different marathons across the US last weekend."
On continental U.S. both our East Coast Ohana of Stroller Mom & Dad as well as Laura & Jason have been keeping quite busy. Stroller Mom participated in the 33rd annual Marine Corps Marathon, while Dad took the kids out on the Gobblin' Gallop:
On this end, I paced my friend Kyrah at Marine Corps today. It was slow going for both of us, she hasn't had quite the training she wanted since she had her daughter in May. But we set out to have a great time and achieved that goal in excellent fashion. We met goal two of finishing and eventually goal three of coming in under six hours. Sure, we would have liked to be faster, but we both enjoyed the race. It's sort of a first for me, side by side coaching someone through a marathon (Dan's first marathon was my only other experience), I was really flattered that she trusted me to get her through.We had spectacular (!!!) weather. Cool at the start (we didn't toss our long-sleeved T's until mile 4 where we had an incredible view of the Potomac river and Georgetown shrouded in fog). It warmed up, but wasn't nearly as warm as Baltimore or AF. There was enough of a breeze to keep us comfortable, that breeze was at our backs for the last two miles. Huge change from yesterday's rain showers.So a new marathon experience for me.
Dan did a Gobblin Gallop with the kids (5K) and had a great time. Kids even went in costume.
The 5k sounds fun...any treats? Gels, ShotBlocs, and energy shots make great Halloween candy substitutes for endurance athletes!
Laura reports that both she and Jason will be quite busy in the forthcoming months as yet another Marathon Maniac is in the making:
Jason and I decided to go up to Atlanta on Thanksgiving day for the Weather Channel Atlanta Marathon. I'm planning on running the the full and he's going to do the half. I've really stepped up the mileage these last two weeks from what I was doing. Hopefully, I'll stay injury free and finish before the 5 hour cut off!:) Now, I haven't told Jason this yet, but I think if I do Atlanta, and then the Aviation Museum Marathon in Warner Robins, and then Run with Donna Marathon in Jacksonvill, FL -- I could achieve Maniac Status. :) I can't believe I'm actually considering it, but we'll see.
Good luck (future) Maniac Laura! Guess we have to work on Jason next!!! HEHEHE!!!

On the Northwest, da Red Rabbit is still living it up in the capitol of the Maniacs (WA). He just did his 'sevententh marathon (the Tri-Cities Marathon) of the year today (Sunday, 10/26) but you can tell Shakaman I stayed three ahead (of him in the MM total marathons ran to date). I ran with a few Maniacs #30 Diana , SrLopez ,Pigtails Ken Briggsand a bunch I did not know. It was cold and windy I dont know my official time but itwas around 3:46 and third in my age group.'
Man is on a mission!!! Next month, Brother Mark (aka da Rock) heads up there and will be doing a 50k with RR...ohhh, RR almost forgot to mention to Mark that this will be all on trails and with only one aide station!!! Woops! You Maniacs!!

On the homefront in O`ahu, this past weekend was no walk, errr run in paradise as the heavens opened up and constant rains soaked the island. Not that we didn't need (the state is at or very near drought conditions), but the constant soaking did cause a few snags and complaints from a few of the Ohana. On Saturday, 10/25, the H.U.R.T. Peacock Flats 54-miler had it's first 'run' as an 'open' event to any up to the challenge. On Sunday, 10/26, the second to the last of the HM Readiness Series, the Niketown 30k, took place. The Ohana was well rep'd in each. We'll go from shortest distance to longest

Niketown 30k - Race #4 in the Marathon Readiness Series
Sunday, October 26th at Kapiolani Park - 5am start
From Maniacles' report, things went pretty well as by Sunday the rains were not as bad and spirits not as dampened:
It was humid early in the run until the showers arrived (but no complaints about the weather lest our Peacock runners call us wimps!). Despite the weather there was a good turnout with many regulars as well as many new faces among the crowd of 823 finishers. Few stayed to see Carole, Judith and Tom claim their AG awards as the rain put a damper on the post run festivities. Representing the Ohana this morning were Alison, John S, Bob, Matt, Glen, Laura K, Alfredo, Mike G, Tom, Mark, Roger, Marge, Vera, Jay, Lynda, Jerelyn,Carole, Wyatt and myself.
As we gear up for the busy fall running season, it is always a pleasure to share the joys of running with our Ohana. Train safe.
Here are the results.

H.U.R.T. Peacock Flats (Trail) 54-miler, Dillingham Air Field (Mokuleia)
Saturday, October 25th @ 6am
This was the first time the H.U.R.T. gang opened this race to the general public. Prior to this, the organizers/trailblazers (Gordon, Larry, and Don) had deemed the course too brutal and iffy to enable others, except the most capable to attempt this. Moreover due to the amount of time that they (H.U.R.T.) could keep the airfield gates open (originally only til 10pm), the cutoff time was at 16 hours. After talking with the airfield caretaker and DLNR, the cutoff time was increased to 20 hours (finish by 12am, Sunday morning) and permits were obtained to increase the number of people.
A basically the course is two-'loops' about the Kealia and Kuaokala trail systems. Starting at the Dillingham Airfield parking area, a single loop takes you the aforementioned trails that form a loop. These are primarily wide jeep trails and a stretch of single-track trail along the Waianae Mountain Range. Prior to returning to the start, runners segway out to Peacock Flats then proceed down 'Long (asphalt) Road' to the aide-station/turnaround. Completion of the loop is a return back up 'Long Road' and along the Peacock Flats trail to the intersection with the Kealia trail and back to the airfield. This was previously measured as 27-miles but according to recent GPS records is actually 28..go figure!
A basic requirement or piece of advice were for participants to take at least one tour of the loop to assess it and get a feel of it. Even after one practice 'run' at it, Shaka and I had some skepticism about it.
Event day, four intrepid members of the Ohana showed up at the airfield: Heather, Habu-sama, Shakaman, and myself. Heather & Habu had goals of just doing a single loop (though the latter decided otherwise). Shaka and myself were 'all in' for the entire distance! Three words describe the entire day....rainy and muddy! Previous training sessions on the course were all in the hot, humid climate that is usual to the Kaena/Waianae side, now all prep for such conditions were thrown out the door.
The four of us all have many stories and experiences to share. Basically, Heather braved the entire rain and mud (and looked like the warmest and driest of all of us in her jacket), completing her loop in more than satisfactory time. Habu went the distance and then some doing another 15 miles, to make it 42 for the day. Shaka and I continued our quest into the wee dark hours, both completing well within the cutoff time. During the next few blog entries, I'll post everyone's comments and experiences. The HURT website featured a few great posts including Devon's very inspiring and motivational post on the HURT-site, along with comments/congrats/mahalso from Don. Many of us also echo Mike M's sentiments and comments in welcoming back Ben C.!
No matter what the biggest thing is that everyone finished and got back safe. For Habu, Shaka, and I this was perhaps THE LONGEST the three of us have ever ran all in a consectutive time (until the H.U.R.T. 100)! It was a sense of accomplishment that all who took part in will never forget!

Great job to all in running a very successfull and for a few 'bittersweet' weekend of events! Take care, stay safe, and above all ALOHAS!!! See ya on the roads and trails!!!