Xterra Enduro 21K World Championships

Here we are, the mob squad, after completing a very memorable run in the valley and hills (lots of them!) of Kualoa Ranch. Each one of us had a different plan and expectation of ourselves going into the race. Linsey, ran it as part of her last training run for the Honolulu marathon. Not sure if that was such a smart idea, as it was no walk in the park kind of course. But hey, she's young and can handle anything. She's so good, she finished 3rd. in her age group, and the girls ahead of her were in the top five! I wanted to finish in top 7 so I can make some spending money. I met that goal, despite my quads cramping at mile TWO, and finished 6th. (more on that later) Rachel, from San Francisco, purposely did not taper for the race, so she would have no excuses for how well, or bad she ran. And she fell on her knee a week ago, and it still hurt. Despite her non-excuse attitude, she ran great! Rosie, had a smile on her face the entire run. She started running a year ago, and looks forward to improving and getting faster. She also ran strong completing this grueling course in under 2 and a half hours.

Linsey and I with plenty of time for photo ops before the race. No, Linsey had not been drinking.

This is part of the course as we come out of the mountains

We arrived very early.

We arrive at the event venue and anticipate what the day has to offer.

Did I mention that the course meanders roughly a total of 3000ft. elevation gain through the mountains in the background?

This is the finish line.

Candid photo of our photographer

More views of the venue as the mountains give a spectacular backdrop.

Awards presentation

Now this is what Xterra is all about - Party time!

Free Beer for all podium finishers.

Overall Male and Female winners. Overall winners made some serious cash of $2000! Nice. Although I was dissapointed with the race director, as he or she double dipped the overall winners in their age group.

Linsey on the podium! More free beer!!

Winners in Male and Female 40-44. Fun Stuff. The guy on the far left, he is from Brazil, and he was singing christmas songs as we were climbing and climbing, and passing people who were walking with their heads down. It was unbelieveable. We ran together for a bit, and then he got a way from me, but on the final 5K loop (which was the same as the first 5K loop) I caught back up with him, and passed him. This course was amazing. As the winner from Oregon said to the press, "There were a lot of hills, then a little flat, but mostly it was hilly."

My race summary: I normally start longer races with a very conservative pace, and plan on catching people at the end. I did not want to risk having to make up a lot of ground by using that strategy, so I decided to start out harder than usual, and get my heart rate up and hold it. There wasn't a problem holding a high heart rate, because the course immediately started upwards over a series of climbs in the first mile. The trails were wide open, because they are used for tourist bus rides, since Kualoa ranch is a popular filming location for movies such as Jurrasic Park, 100 first dates and Lost.

Up and around the pack goes, then it thins out before the first aid station at mile 1.7, and we descend down a long and steep grassy/dirt section. Just before descending a young gal wizzed past me, and got in the way of my line (plus I took a water handup which didn't help), so I felt like I was breaking my stride, and half way down, my quads seized up. OMG - I have over 10 miles left, and I don't know what to expect, or how I am going to hold anykind of pace. I limp off the hill, and get on the flat, and deal with the tighness, until we started climbing again, and they feel fine. I'd say the most intense climbing was about half way into the race, and we went up switchback, and it just went on forever. Then off the jeep trail into the thick jungle, cool!

It's super muddy, and it looked like a single track ski slope. Fun, except the quads started to seize again. Wow! That's painful. I rubbed them, and thank goodness that section was short, and we got onto some other single track, that was SO much fun, and the pain went away. I did carry Ultra fuel with me, and I did drink some gatorade at the aid station, plus I aid a gel. So now my legs feel great, but we have to do that 5K loop again. No worries, just keep going. Some guy told me I was 30 seconds behind the 5th. place girl. I could see her on the last loop, but she was running strong, and probably the same pace as I because I could not get any closer. And still fininshed 30 sec. behind her. It was such a fantastic run! Thank you Xterra. $10 of the proceeds from all the race applications went to Children's Diabetes research.

More Texas riding

My TX trip is never complete without going for a long ride (100miles usually) with Rod and Carolyn. This ride we call the Brownie ride, because we can buy fresh homemade brownies at the store in Kendalia.

Kendalia Store

Harry's bar in Willow City

Boomer - Sue and Lesli's pet pot belly pig. Oink - Oink!

Longhorn 70.3 October 5th, 2008

After spending 2 years overseas, It was time to take a trip back to TX. and do a triathlon. I signed up for the Longhorn 70.3 half Ironman while still living in Guam. I started the ball rolling, and the gals from Vegas got their tri outfits ready and decided to join me in Austin, TX. Mostly for the margaritas, and red wine.



Here we are after finishing the race. Everyone had a good day.

I was pleased to walk away with the overall Masters trophy, second overall amateur, and 13th. overall female.

After the post race margaritas, we took a ride through the hill country on a route we call the Willow City Loop.
It was the best ride of our lives!!

Austin, TX

Capital

These Boots are Made for Walkin'

View of the Bike Course

Pre-Race Dinner and a Sunset

I coach the Campbell H.S. girls x-country team. This is the start of a Girls X-Country meet in Kapolei, HI. There are about 5 different teams running. This was our third meet of the season. It's considered a practice meet, so no points are awarded.

This is half the team stretching out after the race. They are a great group of ladies, and I really try to push their limits. I think they have a love-hate relationship with me, because on some days I bring watermelon and we have balloon relays. Other days I make them run in the rain, and oh - that did not go over so well with one of the parents. That's okay - they will still run in the rain as far as I'm concerned. Heck, I even ran with them. Fun times ahead.

Finishing up the ride through Waimanole on the quiet back roads as we enjoy the flats!

Here is Gil climbing away. Notice the dense forest.

Linsey and I finally at the top

At the top with a great view of Diamond Head in the background.

Chillin' out as I take more pictures before we descend Round Top Rd.

Tantalus Ride

It was a great day to climb Tantalus. Gil was our fearless leader. He was nice enough to let us join his secret training course, which consists of climbing up two ridgelines and finish off with Tantalus.
I got a good shot Gil and Linsey coming over the back side of heartbreak hill and on to our second ridgeline in Hawaii Kai

This Linsey making it to the top of our first ridgline, called Kamehame. The average gradient is suppose to be about 9%.

The second ridgeline is called Waialae Iki, with an average grade of 4.5%. Here is a good view from the top.

Here we are heading up Tantalus. These guys were going so fast they were a blur! The forest is so beautiful up there. The climb is a total of 4.5 miles and average grade of about 7%