The Honolulu Marathon Race Report

So here we go...another race, another life list check in the box. This last Sunday was another race for the Fist Fight and not just any race - it was my first marathon. (Please note the picture of my "kit" graciously provided by Brooks)




I went with the Racer ST3's for this glorious feat....they are said to be designed with the ability to support you in your quest to break tape or set a PR. With a 4:55 I didn't exactly set any land speed records (for people that are wicked fast you need to check out Bree Wee or Rachael Ross...I don't mind getting chicked by them, 'cus well, they are bad.ass.)



The Alarm sounded with some classical music (I had on NPR) at 2 O'clock in the morning. But even at that time the sounds of Bach sound like the familiar WAH WAH WAH WAH of the ever present clock radio.

As it is par for the course I went with my normal pre-race breakfast of Cream of Wheat with a little Gu thrown in for good measure - you know to up those liver glycogen stores.


I was out the door by 2:30 for a 3:00 arrival downtown. I spent the next 20 minutes looking for a parking spot - with no luck. The one thing about this race that I found out with a brisk 8 block warm-up is that there is NO parking. Needless to say it, but I'm going to say it (does that make sense?) I had to park near Diamond Head at the community college and jog it in to Kapiolani Park. I had just made it to the buses when the skies opened up - drenching the masses. It made for good times. But, I say this with a smile, I'm lucky I live Hawaii (I know I left out the in but, that is how you say it here). December 9th, biblical style rain, and I was still in shorts and a t-shirt.


I make my way out to the starting area with the other 30,000 faithful and stand in the 4-5 hour block. I had virtually done zero training for this - my long run was one half marathon in September. Let's just say I knew my limitations. I wanted around 4 but more importantly I just wanted to do this...I wanted to run a Marathon.




The show started with the traditional cannon and the firework show and we were off....sort of. It took me 12 minutes to cross the start line.



So really, this time we were off and it was still raining - down Ala Moana to Nuuanu and still raining. I checked my time and I was moving at a snail speed 11 minute miles. Through down town, back onto Ala Moana, then Kalakaua and still raining. Through the crowds in Waikiki (which I was surprised about for a 5:00 AM start). Around Kapiolani Park and up Diamond Head (the rain stopped). Then down the Kalanianaole and more rain. Out through Hawaii Kai and back. I made a couple of stops, took some pictures, chatted with Friends that I saw along the course and made the most out of my first Marathon experience.

The post race was an experience in itself - masses of people, all wandering about the bog that was once a park looking for loved ones and friends. It smelled awful. Kind of like a wet dog and petting zoo in one - not the image of paradise you want, but, I go with what I know...and those my friends are the facts. I kissed my Wife, got my T-shirt and was off like a prom dress.

I wasn't out there to try and kill myself on this one - there will be plenty more for that...besides, there is always next year.

Thanks for checking in

Crash Sends...
next up the H.U.R.T. (100k)

A little liquid Aloha celebration