DONE!!

Today at noon, I ran to the finish of my journey running around the Big Island!

I feel wonderful, and am celebrating the event with friends and plenty of food and drink!  My body feels great, and I'm so thankful that I took an extra day and finished running strong into Kona.  My friend, Ellis accompanied me the final 15 miles, and we ran 8 1/2 minute miles at the finish.

I'm on cloud nine and feeling fine!!  Thank you to all my friends and supportive folks along the way who helped make the journey possible.



A Rest Stop with a View in Capain Cook

A quick update from the road: I'm resting well, safe and sound in Captain Cook.
 

The view from my host's home.

  These past two days from Pahala have taken it a lot, and I'm enjoying a much deserved break.  I wanted to make it back to Kona to complete my journey around the island tomorrow (Monday), but will take the day to make up a few missed miles from today and run into Kona on Tuesday.
 

Many thanks to my last host in Ocean View, Roberta, and to everyone who has kept tabs on me, and supported me through the trip!

Seeing Hawaii on foot this way has been spectacular, challenging and eye opening. I am thankful to spread love of Hawaii lands and the importance of trails and paths.

 

The Best is Yet to Come

My good friend and ground support, Sheryl told me when she joined us in Hilo that, "the best is yet to come." 

 

I laughed and thought, "yeah right; I'm f*#ing tired!"  But SHE WAS TOTALLY RIGHT!!  I've now run 165 miles over 8 days, and feel great.

 

 

Today, I ran from Volcano National Forest to Pahala.  The morning air was crisp and cool when I began, and heated up as time went on.  Here I am with the volcanic gases of Volcano rising behind me.  I expected a long day of lava fields and desert, but what I encountered was beautiful alpine-like forest that reminded me of my home state of California.

 

 

My energy was good, and I made good time to Pahala-- arriving before noon and the hottest part of the day.  Good thing I had a wonderful "zero day" yesterday, and rested well in Volcano.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are Sheryl and I at the historic Kilauea Lodge in Volcano enjoying a much deserved rest day breakfast.  The server and cooks were so kind-- serving me an abundance of fresh veggies with hash browns and gluten free toast- yum!

 

 

After breakfast, we stretched out our legs at the National Park, explored lava fields and generally enjoyed the beautiful day.

 

 

Best of all, I got to put my feet up!!

 

Volcano is such a spectacular place, and we couldn't have ended up here at a better time.  The caldera is very active right now-- viewing was wonderful- especially at night!  Spooky!

 

Here is our very generous host in Volcano, Xanthe.  She was my babysitter when I was a kid, and now hosted me on my running journey (how we both ended up living in Hawaii is amazing).  Conversation over meals centered around the good life in Hawaii, swimming, running, good food and my causes I'm supporting in this run:  PATH, and Hawaii Conservation Alliance.

 

 

This whole journey has really proven to me the importance of preserving and creating trails and paths in Hawaii-- This is one of the most geologically, historically, and ecologically fascinating places; and people love to explore it; but our trail system really leaves something to be desired!  Traveling south, however, was relatively quiet and calm-- this area is less trafficked with wider shoulders.

 

 

Here are some Ne Ne relaxing on the side of the quiet highway.

 

 

Today's mostly level and downhill run offered not only beautiful scenery (a macademia nut plantation is pictured above), but a chance to really appreciate my legs, my body and my mind for getting me this far!  As I was approaching the southern part of the island, my favorite song, "Own it" by Black Eyed Peas played on my Ipod, nearly making me cry!  I can hardly believe I've made it this far, and have only 80 miles back to Kona!

 

We celebrated making it this far south with lunch at the southernmost restaurant in the U.S.- I feel revived and ready for tomorrow after all the fresh Hawaii veggies and fruit, hydration, a visit to Black Sands Beach and...

 

 

REST!

 

 

 

 

Running Through the Rain Forest!

These past two days of running have been divine!  From Akaka Falls to Hilo and then to Volcano is some of the most lush and verdant forests of Hawaii.

 

 

 

Yesterday, I ran 10 miles from the Palms Cliff House Inn near Akaka Falls to the downtown Hilo.  My friend and total inspiration, Ellis; who is training for the upcoming Ultraman Championship, accompanied me for the run after biking 100 miles to Akaka Falls from Kona to meet me at the day before.  It was great to have the company and motivation of such an amazing athlete.

 



 

Here are the two of us stretching this morning at our host's house in Hilo.  Once we arrived in Hilo, we wandered the town, eating and drinking and chatting, before meeting my great friend and ground support from here on out, Sheryl.

 

 

Sheryl is amazing!  Starting with today's run from Hilo to Volcano, she's my car ground support- carrying all the snacks, water, changes of clothes that I could ever need.  Here she is at the Caldera at Volcano this evening after a tough day of supporting!

 

 

And here we are back to this morning, right after the farmer's market!  We fueled up on veggies on fruit for the next few days:  celery, greens, papayas, bananas and tangerines; oh my!!

 

 

At the market, we met up with Colby and Mike, two Hilo runners; said our goodbye's to Ellis who was heading back to Kona by bike and departed for a misty and cool 15 mile run!

 

 

It was a joy to have company for the run, and we had such great conversation and mutual inspiration on the run!  Thanks guys!

 

 

I took an hour long reprive by a church (please Lord let my legs recover!).

 

 

15 tough miles later, my prayers were answered and I ran into the town of Volcano and rest!  (The Kilauea lodge restaurant was closed, but I've been resting quite well at my host's house quite comfortably!  I am so amazing at the kindness and generosity I have experienced this trip.  I had moments running today, where I just felt so thankful and happy to have landed here on the Big Island.  So much aloha! 

 

30 Miles To a Bit of Heaven

Wow, I thought I knew what tired feels like!  I ran my long, 30 mile run today from Honoka'a to the Palms Cliff House Inn near Akaka Falls, and I'm near beat!!

 

Yup, this is about all I'm capable of doing right now!  (This is actually me at Waikoloa after my first 21 miles of the journey).  Fortunately, after such an tiring run, I arrived in a slice of pure paradice here on the eastern coast of the Big Island.

 

 

This is the view from outside of my window.  Ah, relaxation and rejuvination.  The very first thing I did was take a cold shower.  It was a crazy hot day, with headwind, and I decended and then climbed about 4 gulches, and this is all on pretty tired and already achey muscles.  BUT, the run was through some of the most scenic and awe-inspiring parts of Hawaii; and something switched in my brain to simply make me run, run, run.

 

 

So, today was a challenge, and my body and mind are both feeling a bit taxed.  And this is what rest and relaxation are for.  I'm hydrating with salted water, napping, snacking and resting.  Tomorrow's run is a straightforward and mostly shaded 10 mile run into Hilo, where I'll stay at a friend's house, so I can rest all day and start out late tomorrow. 

 

 

One last word for the day:  I'm running for a couple very important causes; Hawaii Conservation Alliance and PATH, People's Advocacy for Trails Hawaii, and I want to give a SERIOUS shout out to PATH and the vital work they do. 

The roads out there are dangerous, no doubt.  There are parts of our windy roads here with no shoulder, and drivers often speed, text while driving or are otherwise distracted.  With so many of us on the roads; bikers, runners, and walkers enjoying Hawaii's beauty, we need to build more connecting trails and paths, expand our shoulders and make the roads safer for recreation.

 

 

Here in Hawaii, we live on paradice on earth, and we want to enjoy it in all it's bounties.  Let's work together to create a healthier and safer Big Island! 

 



Honoka'a Half Marathon and Enjoying Rest!

This morning I took a "break" from my forward progress circumventing the island, and ran the Honoka'a Half Marathon. 

 

It was a fun change to run with a bunch of good friends, and acquaintances from the running and racing community.  The race was sponsored by Big Island Running Company and Bioastin and benefited Brantley, the local community center.

 

 

The course was beautiful and well supported (besides a lack of salt), and I had good energy despite sore legs, and ran steady and strong.

 

 

Here's my friend, Orestes "Chico" and I at the finish!  An expert on Hawaii's hidden spots, Chico is always working hard, running harder and is supporting my run by shuttling some of my things.  Here, I'm replenishing my salt and hydrating with a V8!  Yum, tomato juice! 

 

My friend, and a total inspiration to me, Ellis won the race; he's here in Hawaii to compete in the Ultraman race. 

 

 

His advise about all things running and endurance, and his openhearted friendship have meant the world to me!

 

 

One last shout out for the day:  Simply Natural restaurant in Honoka'a totally rocks!!  I've gone there for both my recovery meals yesterday and today and can't rave about the flavors, the freshness, and the ambiance of the friendly cafe enough!



Day 3 and Feeling Great!

First of all

 

Some stats so far

 Miles run: 57

Hours on the road (including water breaks):  11

 Highway 19 north from Kona to Kawaihae, then east to Waimea

Old Mamalohoa Highway into Honoka'a

 

 

Today was definitely one of the highlights of my run circling the Big Island.  I ran 15.5 miles from Waimea to Honoka'a along the Old Mamalohoa highway; a welcome change from busy highways and lava fields.

 

The road was peaceful and calm, and the scenery went from rolling farmland to lush rainforest like vegetation.  Just gorgeous! 

 

I ran from the center of Waimea at around 9:15 a.m. after Thad, my coach and host for my first two nights showed me the turn-off for the Old Highway and dropped my water and food for the route.  What an awesome guy to start the journey with- totally laid back, hilarious and giving.

 

 

To give back, here is the dinner I made last night after my challenging and nerve wracking 10 mile push up the highway into Waimea.   Lentil mushroom patties and kale salad with avocado and fresh tomato... The salad ingredients are all Hawaii grown!

 

After that full meal and a great night of sleep, I was recharged for today's miles; and feel so thankful for the awesome change of scenery and peace of the country road. 

 

 

After the run, I immediately re-fueled at a natural food cafe with a smoothie and veggie sandwich, and met my friends, here to run the Honoka'a Half Marathon to check in at our hotel and drive down to Waipio Valley. 

 

 

Waipio Valley is WOW, amazing.

  Enough said.

 

 

A dip in the ocean and a nap, and I felt revived and ready to enjoy tomorrow's race-- I plan to go really easy and enjoy the scenery and company. 

What Fuels Me

Yesterday's long run is already feeling like a blur.  I pushed myself a bit more than I intended, and my body is feeling it today.  At the same time, I can hardly believe I feel as well as I do after running 30 miles yesterday; my body clearly knows how to regenerate and recharge.

 

I think this is due to a few simple things: hydration, nutrition, and getting in tune with my body.  All day today, I've been drinking water and fueling with healthy food to replenish in addition to resting, stretching, napping.

Here's some of what really fuels my body when I'm pushing it this hard!  As a vegan and someone commited to minimizing processed foods, I eat as much calorie dense whole grains, seeds, nuts and legumes as well as antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables to provide me with essential vitamins and minerals.  

 

In addition to whole foods, there are a few new products on the market that have really helped me in my training, and I'm using in the run.  Skratch is a natural elecrolyte drink I've been using that I really like.  I also make smoothies with spirulina from Bioastin and hemp seeds to give extra protein for muscle repair.

Additionally, I've become an advocate for whole food nutrition systems made with consciously sourced ingredients.  I just started taking Niupure in the morning, and feel my energy much more consistently through the day.  Made with flax and spirulina, it's boosting my intake of vital B vitamins and minerals.

It is an unfortunate truth, that we don't take in as much fresh foods from the earth as our ancestors did, and are therefore nutritionally deficient... In part simply because much of our conventionally grown and produced food are low in nutritional quality.

I know that it in reality, most of us eat like this.  Therefore, I've become a big advocate for products like JuicePlus, which provide a huge dose of whole fruits and veggies in a small pill or chewable gummy for kids.  And from a training standpoint, the more fruits and vegetable energy I can get the better.