November 17, 2019 HMC Footnotes
The Little Things
It’s a “Runderful” Life
The training season peaked and we’re tapering, spending less time on the road together. Thank goodness! What a pain it is to hold back on a Saturday night because you know you’ve got training on Sunday morning. Then Sunday you could be sleeping in, regaining strength to face a tough work week ahead, but you’re up at some unbelievably early hour, dragging your rear out the door to go someplace where you need to run for hours, cramp, sweat, blister, and chafe. It’s enough to make you wish you’d never taken on the challenge of running a race that’s a distance most people in Hawaii refuse to drive.
It all started in March when you showed up at the Honolulu Marathon Clinic and waited in the crowd until Peter yelled out, “Honolulu Marathon Clinic! Gather round! Come in close so we don’t have to talk so loud.” People moved in and Dr. Scaff began his first talk of the season, explaining that you need to run 1 hour, 3 times a week, then you split off into a group of strangers and headed out for an hour run. Along the run, you noticed other runners who had the same mortified look on their faces, trying to fathom how they could run for 1 hour straight when they couldn’t even run a quarter mile. Could you run slow enough to do a quarter mile in an hour? The odd look you and the other runners shared as these thoughts ran through your head, gave you something in common that you could bond over. Pretty soon, someone tossed out a dry joke about 1 hour being nothing, no problem, or how they had dibs on the next ambulance that passed for their ride out of this crazy decision. It was only funny, because you realized the others in your group felt the same way, and it was more a laugh of relief that you shared than one of humor. That laugh that you gave, bonded you with the group. It even made the jokester decide that this was something he or she would give a try again the next Sunday, because if you’re going to try something nuts, you may as well do it with other nuts who seem to appreciate your jokes.
Over the months, you showed up on most Sundays. When you didn’t, people asked where you’d been. They asked if you’d be there next Sunday. They looked forward to seeing you. You showed up and asked the same questions and looked forward to seeing the other people in the group. The runs were tough. They were hot, hilly, and sweaty, but there were the jokes, the laughs, and the feelings of accomplishment you shared with each other.
When you got up early on Sunday and thought about skipping the run, there was also the thought of missing the people in the group for a reason such as – you were tired, but you knew everyone you’d trained with was also tired; so you went – and so they went. Pretty soon, you realized you were going for the group as well as for the training. What you may not have realized was that other runners were going because you played a part in the group dynamic that made it fun to be in. You added something to the group, whether you were the joker, the complainer, the good listener, the slow one, the fast one, the zen runner, or the power-through-the-pain runner, you helped make that group special.
Nine months later, you can look around at the group you became a part of and realize that the other runners who stuck it out with you this whole time are there, in part, because you were there. You played a part in getting someone ready for their first marathon or keeping someone trained for their n-th marathon.
You played an important part in this 2019 Honolulu Marathon Clinic training season, by sticking it out and showing everyone that you were in it with them. Never take it for granted, the training that you were fortunate to have endured, the strength you’ve gained physically and mentally, and the impact you had on others through the simple act of being there.
Now, don’t think of the marathon as a race you will have to endure. All that you’ve been through has made this a race you get to enjoy. Relish every step, take in the sights and sounds, take your time and listen to the runners around you. You’ll get tired. You’ll feel discomfort. But, think of how fortunate you are to be doing what you’re doing on marathon day. Memories of training days will pop into your head as you pass beach parks and water stops. They’ll make you smile at the journey that brought you to that moment and understand what a wonderful life you have with running.
The Turkey Trot is back on the calendar! It’s a great tapering run. Save the date, THANKSGIVING MORNING, to SAVE THE TURKEY TROT!
Pink Group (10:00 – 10:30 Minutes Per Mile)
By Hao Yang
This Sunday, the Pink Group met at 5:30am in the morning. We ran to Magic Island, around Ala Moana Beach Park, and back to Kapiolani Park. We ran about 10 miles before the talks. We ran another 8 miles to the gas station and back through Kahala Ave.. It was a cool day for our last 18-mile run.
Next Sunday, we will meet again at 6am, running to Magic Island and back, then regroup for the talk, then 8 miles to the gas station, back through Kahala Ave. Total milage will be 15 miles.
Here is our Clinic Group run schedule-
Sunday 11/17-15miles (Meet @6am)
Sunday 11/24-12miles (Meet @6am)
Thanksgiving Day -Turkey Trot-8miles
Sunday 12/1-6 to 8 miles-Dr. Scaff’s important talk (tentatively) (Meet @6am)
Sunday 12/8-Honolulu Marathon!
For Weekday runs, run 2 to 3 times for one hour each, include a speed workout or hill if you prefer.
Please stay hydrated, healthy, and injury free.
Let the tapering begin!
See you on Sunday!
Silver Group (10:30 – 11 minutes per mile)
By Carl Silva
Lee, Ryan, Carl, and newcomer Marcos comprised the Silver Group this Sunday, as we did our first official tapering run. The Silvers brought the miles down to 12 for this run. We did cross paths with other Silvers along the route, including Hee Young, Melissa, Cody, and Alva. It was good to see them.
While we were expecting some heavy rain and even saw lightning out past Hawaii Kai in the early morning hours, we were treated to a relatively cool day with a clear sky. The running was easy compared to the previous weeks of 18-milers when we were storing distance training for marathon day. The next couple of Sundays will be more about dealing with excess energy that we’d normally expend on our longer runs, but we need to keep that in check now to use on December 8. And I just can’t wait.
November 24, 2019: 10-mile run. Meet at Waiholo for a 6:30 a.m. start, headed to Kapiolani Park.
November 28, 2019: Thanksgiving Day, Turkey Trot – 8 miles if you’re serious about eating later in the day. Meet at the Band Stand at 6 a.m. to check in. Signup online to save some money.
December 1, 2019: 6-mile run flat and easy through Waikiki to Magic Island Parking lot then turn back to Kapiolani Park.
Baby Blues Group (12 – 12.5 minutes per mile pace)
By Russ Uchida
This past Sunday, we recorded record-breaking attendance! I will try my best to list all but I apologize if I missed anyone. I will surely include you in next week’s write-up.
This week, we celebrated Val’s return to the group. For those that were wondering where she went, she took an envious vacation to New Zealand! Val painted such a wonder picture of the country and the country side that everyone was asking where to sign up for the same New Zealand trip!
This week’s group also welcomed back Erin and Debbie who are on a week-on-week-off schedule due to work commitments.
The Baby-Blue group was led by Erin and accompanied by Paris. The group boasted a respectable number of runners that included Maile, Paul, Mike, Steve, Yuta, Kento, Paris, Richard, Elaine, Elena, Jaime, Helen, and Yumiko. We were joined by newcomer Bryan who fit right in with the group!
This week’s 12-miler included one short-cut from Triangle Park to the Kaimuki Middle School park. Thank you leaders! At the gas station, Elena purchased a large cup of ice and generously shared it with the group. As simple as crushed ice is, it was so very refreshing! At the gas station, we bid farewell to Bryan, Maile, and Helen, who had other prior commitments. The group made its way to Wailupe Beach Park and bid aloha to Erin and Debbie who decided to log-in some additional miles just because.
On our way back up Diamond Head, we were pleasantly surprised to see Blair running towards us. We chatted and then were focused on the finish line.
A shout out to Jen whom we hope will return to join the group this Sunday.
As we continue our tapering, this upcoming Sunday, our plan is to do 10 miles with lots of talking, jovial camaraderie, and maybe a short-cut at the discretion of the leader of the pack.
See you all on Sunday!
Green 15s (15 minutes per mile pace)
By Willard
Six green ones were ready for a 12-miler this morning. Instead of going out on Monserrat Avenue, we decided to take a detour and start our walk on Diamond Head Road. Then off we went to Kawaikui Beach Park for one last visit to Nelson’s Oasis. Thank you Nelson for being there for us, we appreciate all you do.
We made our way back to the park and instead of going out for 12 miles, we actually did 13.3 miles with a pace of 15:45. Thank you Cliff for keeping the refreshment table open for us late arrivals.
Next week, we go out for 10 miles, starting from Kapiolani Park to Wailupe Beach Park.
Sweet 16s (16 minutes per mile pace)
By Annette Hayes
Countdown to the Marathon: Now is the time to start tapering. You have trained your body since March. You don’t want to get injured now. You should have your Marathon outfit picked out. Nothing new.
We did a “leisurely” 12 mile stroll to the first park, then back to meet Cliff, who was waiting for us with snacks and cool Gatorade. We were hoping for cooler weather, but welcomed the few breezes.
Aloha to Gladys Burrell. We will miss your smiling face. You were an inspiration to many.
Buff Walkers
By George
I know we’re very laced on keeping up our communications.
The walkers are tapering. Last week we made it to Nelson’s oasis and did 12 miles that Sunday.
This Sunday we continued tapering and did 10 miles and walked Kahala Avenue, turning around at the former phone booth.
Next week, we’ll meet at Ala Moana park near McCoy Pavilion in the figure 8 parking area. We’ll be going on the downtown route of the marathon plus doing a couple miles into Waikiki and back to get 8 miles.
Then it’ll be the Turkey Trot, followed by the last Sunday before the marathon
Good road work to all