Aloha, another amazing day in paradise. Whatever your particular passion in sports and activities, there is no place like Hawaii to train. As I hit the streets today I could see people of all ages involved in some athletic pursuit and all were smiling. Checked out the tandem surf contest at the Duke's Ocean Quest. Tomorrow should be more surf contest, beach volleyball tournament and a huge street party at night.

Training today consisted of an ocean swim at Kuhio Beach. After a few minutes of warming up it was face in the water for 35 minutes. I haven't done any consistent swims in the ocean for a long time so this was a reminder about how hard it is to keep a line with waves coming into you as you swim. I chose to swim parallel to the shore for that reason, to work against the waves and get used to the sensation of the water. The tourists on the beach probably thought I was crazy but it was a good swim, though I did drink a little salt water. Don't recommend that. Tomorrow I'll run the park again and go have lunch at the Grass Skirt Grill in Haleiwa. Best place for gourmet food on a paper plate on Oahu.

Thanks to my dad, Curly Cornwell (in the picture above, he is in the front row middle), one of the original Waikiki Beach Boys, I have a connection to the industry here. I too as a young man worked the beach with my dad teaching surfing and giving outrigger canoe rides. As a part of a week long celebration. Duke's Ocean Quest, there was a party at "Duke's" today to celebrate the beach boy tradition. Luckily we were here and were guests of Duke's for the party. Didn't expect it but had the opportunity to catch up with some friends from the past. Many of the old crew including my dad have long since passed but it was still awesome to hang out with some of the current watermen and rekindle the connection we have. In particular I was able to connect with DiDi Robello, of the Aloha Beach Services (check out the website), the oldest current operation on the beach today. I worked for his dad back in the day. Mahalo to all I met today, it was amazing.

Kapiolani Park run

Hawaii is definitely paradise. Two days and you begin to think it must be like this everywhere. As you can see the beach looks great. Lots of things going on this week so I guess I hit it just right. The Duke's Ocean Quest is happening right now; it is a series of water events conducted right at the Waikiki Beach Center/ Kuhio Beach area for the week. There are a variety of surfing contests and events day and night. Lots of vendors and people milling about, it is a very lively atmosphere. Friday night there will be a huge street party with many bands. I think it will be a great time.

First night here I wasn't thinking of how I would get any training done; I was more concerned about the different kinds of food available here in Hawaii. Started out last night with a full combination plate at the Ono Hawaiian Foods on Kapahulu Ave. All I can say is it was awesome: kalua pig, laulau, lomi salmon, pipikaula, rice, poi, and haupia. If you are ever able to eat at this place it is a treat; open since 1962, original menu, family restaurant, cash only; you'll most likely wait to get in.

I actually got some training in this morning. Went for a run along the Ala Wai canal to Kapiolani Park, through the park and down Kalakaua Ave back to the condo at Seaside. It was about 8:00 am and the temperature was definitely warming. The Ala Wai road is very busy, one way, in the morning with people going to work I guess. Not much nature to enjoy but it is beautiful to gaze across the water at the golf course and the hills behind. Also there were some racing canoe teams out practicing in the morning. After I passed into the park it self it was much more pleasant, fewer cars, and there was more ambient sounds such as birds, trade winds blowing, and people walking, running, and some homeless camping. I ran without my Ipod today because I wanted to hear the run as much as I wanted to do the run. Total time about 50 minutes. As said before it was beautiful, also flat, and the location was everything I could want.

Tomorrow, ocean swim and looking forward to it. See you on the road.