Last Day in Honolulu

Another great day in Hawaii. Training today, run the Ala Wai loop: Ala Wai to McCully, around to Kapiolani and Date Street, down the bike trail on Kapahulu to the Ala Wai and back to the start. Altogether 50 min. Ran about 7:30 this morning and it was getting warm fast. Last 15 min was slow.

For fun today drove around the island, stopped at Sandy Beach, Makapuu, over the island to the North Shore and Haleiwa. While in Haleiwa, did a little shopping at the North Shore Shopping Center and had a great lunch at the famous Grass Skirt Grill. Last stops for the day included Sunset and Waimea.

Tomorrow is a travel day, no training; see you on the road.

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.

Light Weight

Training today was pretty low key. Warmed up and then lifted: some machines and free weights. After that a short jog 35 min and stretch 15 min. Takes a while to get into the running; at least 15 minutes before I start to feel like moving relaxed. Running is my weakness. I need to drop some more body weight and increase my speed. The next month or so should help with the weight loss.

What I am experiencing now is an opportunity for me to enjoy new areas of potential achievement. Today I was thinking about things that I have achieved during my lifetime and decided to make a list. I know, it might not impress you much and I have more than likely left something out, but it is my little niche:

• Father, husband, son, brother, friend.
• Husband to Maureen since March 21, 1971.
• Three awesome children: Kanoa, Kaleo, Emalia.
• Lifetime teacher. Started as a teen teaching swimming; 33 years plus as a K-12 educator and coach in Snohomish.
• Licensed surfing instructor and outrigger canoe 2nd captain, Hawaii.
• Served my country in the U.S. Marine Corps.
• BA and MEd, and Principal's Credential from the University of Washington
• Coached football, basketball, track and field.
• Coach for Northwest Basketball Camps and Tour Team Europe.
• Certified Drug and Alcohol/Peer Helper Consultant for Teens.
• Instructor for the Summer High School Association, Finland.
• And a pretty darn good cook.

So stop by and eat well, bon appetite (thanks Julia Child); life is good.