The Running Season 2016

Another training season for the Honolulu Marathon. After running the Hilo Marathon in March, I decided to take a really long break...that is forgoing the Hapalua Half Marathon and putting my running on the shelf until July 17th.

I did a bunch of 3-4 miles runs topping out at a 8 mile long run before doing the Tamanaha on August 14th. I wasn't too confident. I forgot my garmin which was probably a blessing. I just started off focusing on my breathing as this is truly important when starting any race. Your breathing will dictate your entire race. Breathing too hard will exhaust you. You have to get the breathing just right. Since I wasn't sure how fast I was going, I just went at a pace that I was comfortable with. This was important because I was in total control. If I relied on the garmin, sometimes you go too fast because you are focusing on time. Eventually, the run was a little taxing on my body, my breathing was laboring, however I did good, finishing at 1:28:46, a 9:31 per minute pace. I was pleasantly surprise at how fast I ran considering last year I was in better shape and finished at 1:32:57.

The Runner's HI got pushed back to September 11th which was good because I got another week of training in and got myself caught up with the miles. Unfortunately Erik got sick which slowed his progress. Ted was doing a Utah marathon and Heather was in the Big Island. Darren ran for Heather. I started at a quick pace, but it was so hot that I slowed down. I still finished at 1:58:26, a 9:32 per minute pace. The crowning achievement was that I finished under 2 hours. In the 6 years I've done this run, I haven't finished under 2 hours before. Darren and Erik finished in the 2:20 mark.

Half marathon in Wahiawa

The Brio Kailua 25k was on October 2. Although I haven't been consistently running, I've been working on a lot of core, relaxing, and doing my thing. Erik picked me up for the Brio. He wasn't too confident about this run. We just did a half marathon last week, and although I thought he did well, he didn't think so. I started at a 9:40 per minute pace. I don't like the Lanikai section of the run, its too dark. However, I maintained pace and got stronger throughout. The hills section was when I got stronger and increased pace. I struggled at the end even doing a mile at 10:03, but finished strong at 2:23:43, a 9:35 minute pace, another PR. All my runs this season have been PR's, which speaks to my training.

October 23rd was the HMSA 30k, probably one of my least favorite runs. Its the Honolulu Marathon, just 8 miles shorter. For this run, the prep was hard because I was busy. Usually part of the prep is rest, but with Corrie's wedding and Jessica coming from NC, it was going to be busy. Darren, Erik, and I did a 10 mile run the Thursday of to get ready. I was so sore on that run because I did Yoga on Wednesday. However, recovery was good and I knew I had a chance at a PR.

I finished the 30k in 3:00:37, I guess you could call it sub 3:00. My previous PR was 3:04, so it was an easy PR. I felt good throughout. My legs were sore at mile 17, so that maybe a problem for Honolulu. I think I have get a little stronger. The yoga, although I only did it for one day, seemed to help. The stretches especially for the legs seemed to do the trick.

November 13th, the Mizuno or Van Nolasco 1/2 marathon. Usually this race is packed. Seems like everyone who didn't train for the marathon likes to come out to this one thinking that it will help them for the marathon, but it doesn't. I'm usually at peak form by this time and 13 miles seems pretty easy. Again this year I set another PR 2:02:30, with a pace of 9:21 min/mile. I was pretty strong most of the race. Got a little tired when I hit the Kahala section, but persevered. I need to do a really long run to get stronger with my distance. The pace seems good. Now my focus should be on Honolulu and getting myself right for Honolulu.

November 22, 2016

I needed an avenue to think about my running plan for the Honolulu Marathon. Last year I struggled at mile 20, probably much earlier. I think I started hurting at mile 13 and gutted it out for 7 miles until 20. My pace slowed considerably. This year, I'm planning on running at about a 9:45 minute per mile pace. I'm going to take a good break at the 17 or 18 mile mark to reset. Hopefully my pace won't hurt. I'm setting a goal for 4:15:00 marathon. I have to remember to refill frequently. I might bring a bottle to intake water. I seem to get hungry and weak near the end of the run because I ran out of calories to burn.

November 24, 2016

Turkey trot came around this year. Even though I drank last night, I decided to run the turkey trot. I just wanted to get out there, but with Darren joining me, adrenaline kicked in and we went out pretty strong. The turkey trot takes forever to start, in fact I think there is no starting time. We start when registration is completed. We started really slow about 12 min mile, but got faster as the run went on. Its a fast course at Kapiolani park and we finished in the 1:44 time area which is around a 10:30 pace.

It all came down to this, December 11, 2016. I woke up at 1am today. I was so tired. Aprille did the difficult task of driving us there at 3:45am. I had to take a piss again, so I went somewhere in the park. Initial start was good, slow first mile 10:18 pace. But after town I picked it up and ran a fast 10k 1:01:12, my fastest 10k in any marathon. I continued a strong effort going towards Hawaii Kai. I felt tired at one point, but got through it. Kahala went well and I was heading towards the back stretch. My hip was good, but I started to cramp. The cramp in my hamstring was short lived and I did okay until I got to Kahala. I started walking though and my pace slowed considerably. I tried to suck it up and I did walking and running the best I could. My quads started to cramp a lot at this point and I pushed through. However, it was so hot and windless at this point, I had to just finish this thing, but didn't have that extra push to get under 4:40. I ended up finishing at 4:40:16, not bad. I waited for Darren and Erik. Darren came about 1 hour later and Erik about 2 hours later. Jana game 3.5 hours later in her first ever marathon. Aprille drove us to Rainbow Drive Inn where the chili I ordered was tasty. One day I'll get under 4:30, and then hopefully under 4:10 as that would be my potential.