Honu Kanaka

Ocean swim today, Monday. 35 min near Papakea resort. Water felt great but was kind of rough. I was able to find an area with a sandy beach entry and swam a modified triangle within and in some cases over the coral reef along the shore. This is not the best area for swimming but I pressed on anyway. It really does feel great to swim in salt water; it is warm and the challenge of the current and waves helped me to work on technique. I was pretty gassed at the end of the time, I really hoped to go longer. In a couple of days I'll give it another go and see how much I can lengthen my time. There are a couple of beach parks down the road that would be better so I will try one of those.

I don't have any pictures of me swimming so I had to get a snapshot of the closest thing, the Hawaiian Green Turtle, which is faster than this Honu Kanaka (turtle man). Thanks to Google image search. Back to the run tomorrow, see you on the road, or as the locals say "a hui hou."

Maui No Ka Oe

Aloha from Maui. Arrived yesterday, staying in the Honokowai area north of Kaanapali. Weather has been wonderful, trade winds steady until night, then everything slows down. I'm sitting not more than 100 feet from the ocean under bright stars with the rhythmic sound of the waves breaking on the sea wall. It is an amazing scene, wish you could be here to enjoy it.

Training for today (Sunday) consisted of a 55 min run on the Honokowai loop at 9:00 a.m.: north along the shore side of Honokowai, up to Kahana, back south on the Honoapiilani highway, turning at the Star Market, finishing at Papakea.

The first part of the run is partly shaded on the roadside or sidewalk with a mild headwind and some varied elevation. After the turn back on to Honoapiilani, you get a nice tail wind and you can enjoy the view of the Pacific along with Molokai and Lanai Islands. The last half mile as the road turns you get a brisk headwind and you have to push to finish strong. By the time I rounded the turn at the Star Market I was feeling tired and glad to be just about done, literally a 100 yards from the end.

Here on Maui I don't have access to a bike so I am alternating training days between run and swim. Tomorrow I'll hit the ocean. See you on the road.

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.

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.

Sprint post

Running around like crazy today trying to get set for a little tropical getaway. Managed to train though. 2000 m C2 row to warm-up; lifted free weights, low reps 6-8 about 35 min; bike 70 min about 12.5 mi. Tomorrow's a travel day so I'll catch you in a few.

See you on the road.

Saturday and Monday

Sounds like "Rainy days and Mondays". Well there is no rain here, but you can tell in the last two days that Fall is on the way. I know, it's still August and I'm getting a little ahead of the seasons. It just seems like the air has a crispness to it that you expect in the Fall. Days start to get a little shorter and warm days take a little longer to warm up. Before long the trees will start to turn and the Fall color display will begin. I'm in no hurry but I do enjoy the Fall season.

Training Saturday was 40 min in the pool, about 24 laps. Then 30 min jog/run, bout 2.25 mi. Today I'll lift first then go for about a 75 min bike ride, as soon as it warms a little.

Training alone is a difficult path, you always have to motivate yourself. When you are part of a group then you have an obligation that you can't disregard. Today there are many conflicting thoughts going through my head, but my interest and enthusiasm for training remains steady. Mostly I stress over things that disrupt my routine or details that I haven't ironed out to solidify aspects of my routine. I expect to get a better bike soon and also an indoor trainer to help as the weather changes. Also as I train I think of those persons who for whatever reason cannot and that becomes a motivator. I am committed to do as much as I can as long as I am capable; who knows how far I'll get.

See you on the road.

Ultraman Canada; training inspiration

Training cycle: 5,000 m C2 row, bike 35 min. 9.5 miles, 10 min jog, 15 minute stretch.

Yeah yeah I know "rowing." Well I really like the C2 rower so I use it whenever it is available to me. It's a great warmup or workout. When I was a small boy I could paddle outrigger so I still like this kind of workout.

Today as I was on the bike I thought alot about my experience at Ultraman Canada. If you don't know about Ultraman you should really check it out. In 2007 Maureen and I were invited to meet cousin Scott Beasley (photo by Rick Kent included at the right) and some of his family in Penticton B.C. where he was going to participate in the Ultraman. We just watched this double ironman contest in awe and got to see Scott finish in first place overall. At the time I don't think it really set in how amazing the contest was. We went back again this year and met up with Scott, Martha, Jack, June, and Belinda; Scott was again entered in the race. This time we didn't just watch but were able to be a part of his support crew. The Ultraman is a 3 day contest starting with a 6.2 mile swim and 90 mile bike; day 2 is a 170 mile bike. The final day is a 52.4 mile run. Because of the distance of each stage, a support crew is needed for every athlete to provide equipment and nutrition support all along the way. I was able to accompany Scott in the swim; paddling a kayak to provide a solid line through the 6.2 mile course. In addition to being a particpant I was able to spend time with family and meet many of the elite athletes who were participants. Men and women finishers shattered event records and gave inspiration to everyone involved. Scott of course was our favorite but there were others we met who were amazing. Barbi Brochu, Canada, who smashed the swim records, was a lot of fun. Jason Lester, 2009 ESPY winner, totally inspirational. Amber Monforte, lst women overall, blasted the 3 stage time, and brought along Conrad Stolz, Olympic Triathalon and Xterra Champion, to crew. He was very friendly and encouraging. Not to forget Scott who finished 5th overall; he was great. There were 29 athletes overall, and all inspired in their own way. You can read about each one on the Ultraman site: http://www.ultramancanada.com/. I mention all of this because you come away with an energy that affects you mentally and physically. Can I do what they do? I don't want to say no. What I do know is that I can work at it; I am in charge of the energy and effort department, and I do know that my current mentality is a direct result of the Ultraman experience.

What will tomorrow bring? Is there an Ironman in the future? Swim, bike, run. Energy is good, interest is high. See you on the road.