Dot Racing

Haleakala - Sliding Sands

2011-11-27T23:14:00.000-10:00

Brad and I took a quick weekend trip to Maui - and spent Saturday morning running in Haleakala crater.

The Sliding Sands trail starts near the summit of Haleakala crater (9,740 feet).

Our plan was to follow the trail downhill for 4 miles, run 2 miles across the valley floor. Then retrace our steps back up.

There were a couple of runners behind us. We had seen them running up the road when we drove to the summit. As we moved aside on the trail to let them by, I realized the lead runner was Paul Hopwood. We stopped and talked briefly, then Paul and his friend disappeared into the mist.

Along the way, there were silversword plants.

And a couple of Nene.

We came across a group of Sierra Club volunteers weeding out non-native plants. One of them asked what would make us go for a training run at altitude, then she saw my shirt, and said, "Oh, HURT...", as if that explained it.

Pretty soon, it was time to turn around and head back up.

Click here to see more pictures.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/131447868
1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 11/12/2011
Start: Haleakala Visitor Center (9740 feet)
Trails: Sliding Sands to Kapalaoa (7250 feet) and back
4:27 / 12.0 miles / 22:12 avg

Peacock 54: 10/23/2010

2010-12-24T15:51:00.001-10:00

Map created by Sean Price and Mike Muench for HURT Hawaii

'Twas the night before Peacock, when all through the hale,
I was still stirring, preparing for tomorrow's folly.

The drop bags were staged by the front door with care,
In hopes that at an aid station, I'd find them there.

The pacers were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of running danced in their heads.

I was still awake, trying not to make a clatter,
I couldn't go to sleep. I don't know what was the matter.

Our training runs were done - Jan and I flew like a flash,
Our one-loop time was an hour faster than the year past.

The race started at 6, the sun started to appear,
Everyone knew high temperatures soon would be here.

The runners reached the top of Kealia Fire Road, and they took off quick,
I tried not to go with them - I wanted to finish with a kick.

Another girl was running with us, Deanna was her name,
She called Oh Sh*t Hill 'Awesome' - she was up for the game.

Julie, Jan, Deanna (photo by Rob Lahoe)

On Crossover, on Long Road, and the much-anticipated aid station,
Then back up Long Road at mid-day - watch out for dehydration.

But Jan started struggling, she was hitting the wall,
I kept going on; but breaking up J-squared - it truly felt awful.

Deanna and I headed back towards Dillingham, so we could start Loop 2,
Coming down the switchbacks, we practically flew.

Down at the parking lot, our pacer, Brad, was found,
He planned to run with us - the whole loop around!

We started up the Kealia switchbacks and then Kealia Road,
The second time up the steep hills - our pace was definitely slowed.

We went around Gordon's Loop again, the sun was making us fry,
Upon reaching Rob's aid station, all three Camelbaks were dry.

Brad was the perfect pacer; we set the pace, he stayed in the back,
But on the flats and downhills, he kept us running; he wouldn't cut us any slack.

At the bottom of Long Road, there was pizza and the mood was merry,
We were happy to see Jan still going - her determination was scary.

We made it up Long Road again; but on Crossover, Deanna started to slow,
Brad and I kept going, pushing hard to Rob's aid station, which was all aglow.

We finally reached the finish - I was exhausted and dirty,
I had run all day and all night - finished at 9:30.

Gordon was sitting - he organized the race plus ran all day,
But as I was leaving, I heard him clearly say:

Congratulations to all! Next year it's a 100K!

Julie, Brad (photo by Doug Baker)

Sat, 10/23/10
Start: Dillingham Airfield (North Shore)
Loop 1: 7:15
Dillingham aid station 0:15
Loop 2: 7:58
Total: 15:28 / 54 miles / 17:11 avg

Race write-up, results, and course map on the HURT Hawaii website.

Kaena Point Firecracker: 7/3/2010

2010-08-21T17:24:00.000-10:00

The Kaena Point Firecracker 10 mile race is held on Fourth of July weekend (I know, I know, my blog is way behind).

The race starts on the North Shore, runs around Kaena Point (the northwest corner of Oahu), and continues on the West side to Yokohama Bay. The course is flat and usually dry and hot. This year there was...MUD.

On the West side, there were mud puddles that took up the whole path. And since it's an out-and-back race, it made it a little tricky trying to navigate around the runners coming back towards you.

Of course, it was the usual fun run. And yummy food afterwards. Have you figured out the whole reason I run is for the food? If you've ever been to a HURT-sponsored run, you know what I mean - the food is always awesome!

Brad and I ran the race together

Brian paced off Lisa for the way out

Then ran the way back with Arvel

Jan was smiling, as usual

To make the run an even 10 miles, after you start at the 'rock', you have to run a little extra section up to the paved road, around a telephone pole, then back to the dirt road. The end of the race is when you get back to the rock. My Garmin measured it as 9.97 miles!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/39972973
1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 7/3/10
Start: End of Farrington Highway (North Shore)
Trails: Kaena Point (North Shore to Yokohama Bay and back)
1:37 / 10.0 miles / 9:42 avg

Race write-up, results, and more pics on the HURT Hawaii website.

All photos by HURT Hawaii.

San Diego 100 - Pacer report

2010-08-08T20:23:00.000-10:00

I wasn't sure whether or not to do a post about the San Diego 100. One, because it was Jan's race, not mine. But mostly, because Jan has already written an AWESOME race report. Check it out:

Jan's San Diego 100 Race Report

But after telling the story of the race multiple times, I finally decided I should write it down.

PREPARING

Jan had a chance to run the San Diego 100, an ultramarathon in the mountains east of San Diego. I was able to use my frequent flyer miles to get to San Diego and afterwards to SFO to visit my family - so I went along to pace Jan for the last 50 miles of the race.

I am always amazed how long it takes to get ready for an ultra. I don't mean the obvious - training. But also studying the course maps, deciding what to bring, and figuring out what to put in the drop bags for each aid station (food, electrolytes, clothes, lights, batteries, etc.).

Jan studied the detailed course breakdown on the SD 100 website, including distance and elevation gain/loss between aid stations and cutoff times. She came up with estimated arrival times for each aid station, which was our main plan. Her schedule also allowed us to figure out which aid stations to leave drop bags at and what to put in each of them.

I found that the SD 100 website includes Garmin routes for the course. Perfect! The course has multiple loop sections and "following" the course and elevation chart on the Garmin Connect Player was much more clear than trying to understand all the multi-colored arrows on the topographical maps.

San Diego 100 course (Garmin data from SD 100 website)
http://connect.garmin.com/player/34598704
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

CREWING

The race start is at 5700 feet. Jan and I needed some warm clothes and borrowed the coolest vests from her brother. At 5700' at 6am, it was COLD!

Jan, Ryan, Julie (photo by Ryan Gillia)

After seeing Jan, Ryan, and Ryan's friend, Rachel, off at the start, I was able to catch a ride with Alan, Rachel's boyfriend. Alan and I would drive to each aid station, park the car, lug all the stuff to the aid station, wait for the runners to get there, then refill their hydration packs, get them sunscreen, food, different clothes, etc.

I also tried to rest and stay off my feet, so that I'd still have energy by the time I was supposed to start pacing, somewhere around 8-9pm. Thanks to Alan, I managed to catch a couple of naps in the morning, which was a huge help.

Jan at mile 23

After Jan, Ryan, and Rachel got through the mile 23 aid station (Penny Pines) around 1pm, the next aid station that was accessible to crews was mile 44 (Pioneer Mail). Rob, another of Ryan's and Rachel's friends, showed up, so Alan, Rob, and I spent the afternoon hanging out at Pioneer Mail.

Rob and Alan at Pioneer Mail

The stage with the biggest climb was just before mile 44. Many of the runners came into the Pioneer Mail aid station shaking their heads, cursing.

Elevation map from SD 100 website

Ryan and Rachel got to Pioneer Mail around 6:15pm. Jan had been expecting to get there at 5:45pm, but wasn't there yet. Alan had to leave to meet Ryan and Rachel at the next aid station, so Rob and I stayed and waited for Jan. As it started getting later and darker, I was getting more worried. I kept checking with the aid station staff to see if they knew what time Jan left the previous aid station, but all they could tell me was that she hadn't dropped yet.

I was so glad when Jan finally arrived at Pioneer Mail (mile 44). Even though she had just finished a super-tough section and was behind schedule, she was still smiling. Amazing! She even had a plan already figured out. Pacers aren't allowed to start until mile 51. But since it was already 8:15pm and there was no way she'd make the 9pm cutoff at mile 51, Jan asked me to run with her to the next aid station. She'd break 50 miles and I'd get a chance to run! I was already excited to see that Jan still had a positive attitude! And now I was really excited to get out on the trails!

I threw all my stuff at Rob to take to the next aid station and grabbed my flashlights. Rob also generously lent his fleece jacket to Jan, since the darkness was causing it to get cold.

PACING

Jan and I took off on the trail. It was just after sunset and the views across the mountain desert were amazing.

About 30 minutes in, we came across another runner, "T". She was panicky - she complained about double-vision and not seeing enough course markers to know if she was on the right trail. We calmed her down somewhat and T asked whether she could continue with us. Jan and I definitely agreed that she shouldn't be out on the course alone and the three of us continued towards the mile 51 aid station (Sunrise) together.

As we continued, it became more evident that T was really struggling. She still complained about her vision and was literally leaning on me for every step. And she was still a little panicky. Jan and I tried to keep her talking. I gave her Gatorade/water and Clif bar (2 of her 3 water bottles had been empty). Her hands were very cold, she was shivering, and her speech was slurred. At this point, I gave her my vest and tried to call the aid station staff. I wanted to get advice to see if there was anything else I should be doing for T, but I also didn't want to scare her more.

I called Alan, who was already three aid stations ahead, and asked him to relay a message to the Sunrise aid station and have someone call me. Unfortunately, cell reception was spotty and they weren't able to reach me.

Jan, T, and I finally made it to Sunrise (mile 51) about midnight - 4 hours after we left Pioneer Mail (mile 44). We got T to the aid station staff, who put blankets around her, got her warm soup, and put her next to a heat lamp. Luckily, there was a volunteer EMT there and he did a GREAT job of calming T down.

We also had to get Jan warmed up. Because the pace was so slow helping T, it caused Jan to get really cold. We got Jan a blanket, soup, and put her next to the campfire.

Thankfully, Rob had waited for us at Sunrise. He still had all of my stuff in his car and he drove us back to our car at the race start. In addition to loaning Jan his jacket, this was the second time he saved us.

SUMMARY

So, at the end of the (very long) day, I got more practice getting organized for an ultra, I had a fun day hanging out with Alan and Rob amidst some amazing scenery, and I got to spend a few hours on the trail at night.

I was also impressed with Jan's determination:
- She accomplished her first goal: getting to the starting line on-time
- She didn't let a setback of a tough stage get her down
- She kept giving positive motivation to a fellow ultrarunner, despite being cold and tired herself
- And she completed 50 miles

In retrospect, Jan and I should have done a more thorough initial assessment of T and then taken her to the nearest aid station (which was back to Pioneer Mail), rather than agreeing to let her come with us to Sunrise. I thought T was just scared and would be better once she calmed down. I truly didn't expect that someone in so much trouble would be out on the trail.

Tai's Going Away Run - Nuuanu

2010-07-04T12:53:00.000-10:00

Fish, Gordon, Annie, Lisa, Cindy, Tai, Jack, Julie

Tai completed UH grad school and was offered a great opportunity in Washington State. To say 'Goodbye' and to congratulate Tai on her graduation, we celebrated with a run. And food.

We started at Jackass Ginger trail, followed by a climb up Nuuanu trail to the bench. As Tai would say, the climb was 'glorious.'

Julie, Annie, Tai, Cindy

Lisa, Jack

Gordon, Fish, Tai

After the run, we headed over to Bangkok Chef and met up with Brad and Ernest for some yummy Thai food. And dessert from Diamond Head Market & Grill. Tai introduced me to this awesome oreo cookie -peanut butter-banana-chocolate pudding-whipped cream concoction.

Tai, Ernest

http://connect.garmin.com/player/37621383
(Garmin data courtesy of Lisa Reinke)
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 6/3/10
Start: Jackass Ginger
Trails: Jackass Ginger - Nuuanu (out & back)
~1:15 / ~4 miles (lost satellite reception on the way back)

Raging Isle Sprint: 6/26/2010

2010-06-27T19:19:00.003-10:00

First, a little background...

Garmin recently added a Swim mode software update for the Forerunner 310XT. There was a post about it on the Garmin blog, which also included a link to DC Rainmaker's blog.

Not only did DC Rainmaker have an incredibly in-depth review of the new Swim mode, but one of his earlier posts also shows how to swim with the Forerunner 305 in a swim cap!

Why didn't I think of that???

The Raging Isle Sprint is the first race in the 2010 North Shore Swim Series. I decided to try out the Garmin in a swim cap method.

I pretty much followed DC Rainmaker's tips:
- Remove the watch from the watchband
- Put the watch inside a ziploc bag
- Put the watch/ziploc bag on your head and put on your swim cap

I did have to make a few adjustments. The 405 has a bunch of sharp points and buttons and they kept poking holes in the ziploc bag, so I had to cushion all the pointy parts first (the 305 and 310XT are more square and their buttons are on top). Plus it was kinda hard to stuff the watch into my swim cap along with my ponytail. But Brad suggested putting the watch in the swim cap first, then putting the cap on my head. That was much easier.

The Swim

There was a North Shore swell on the day of the Raging Isle Sprint, so the race organizers put out buoys along the whole course to keep swimmers further outside and away from the shallow reef (and out of the way of the surfers).

When they sounded the horn, I pressed the Start button and started swimming. And kept swimming (just keep swimming...). It seemed like it took forever.

Then my watch beeped. At first, I thought I accidentally stopped it. But then I realized it was the 'Auto Lap' feature - I had swum a mile.

Raging Isle is supposed to be a 1-mile swim, but the Garmin recorded 1.2 miles. Surprisingly, the GPS route on the map looks pretty straight (when I'm swimming, I feel like I'm zig-zagging all over the place). And if you zoom in, you can really see the reef underwater.

Race Results can be found here.

Many THANKS to Jake from Garmin for alerting me to the new Swim mode, DC Rainmaker for the How To guide, and Raging Isle and Waikiki Swim Club for putting on a fun swim!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/38292439
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 6/26/10
Start: Sunset Beach
Finish: Pipeline (Ehukai Beach Park)
0:52:35 / 1.0 miles / 3:17 per 100m

Jan's Birthday Run - Kaena Point

2010-06-25T15:25:00.003-10:00

To celebrate Jan's Birthday, a group of us — Andy, Jan, Brad, Annie, Arvel, Lisa, Johnny, Benita, and me — went on a run at Kaena Point and had a potluck brunch afterwards. Jan's birthday was actually back in April - but it took me a while to put the run/potluck together. And even longer to post the pics and route.

Brad at the Point, with the Waianae range in the background.

At the Point, we saw a snoozing monk seal.

And a juvenile albatross.

Jan, Johnny, Andy

Annie, Lisa, Arvel

Johnny & Andy, along the coast

Everyone brought lots of good food! (photo by Johnny Landeza)

http://connect.garmin.com/player/37619867
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 5/31/10
Start: End of Farrington Highway (North Shore)
Trails: Kaena Point: North Shore to Yokohama Bay (almost) and back
2:08 / 8.9 miles / 14:17 avg

Run With A View: 5/8/2010, plus Peacock

2010-06-20T19:13:00.000-10:00

Oops, I need to catch up on my posts...

Run With A View: Third race in the 2010 HURT Trail Series. In May.

View of Arizona Memorial (photo by Rob Lahoe)

As we started up the hill, there was a nice rain shower. I ran with Brad, Tai, Gordon, and Fish for awhile. Then we came across Jan, who was struggling with a strange, possibly allergy-induced, asthma attack. I stayed with Jan as she pulled herself back together and finished strong. Impressive.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/33419845
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 5/8/10
Start: Pearl City
Trails: Kaahele
1:54 / 8.3 miles / 13:48 avg

Afterwards, Jan, Tai, and I headed up to Peacock for some more fun. We still had our race numbers from Run With A View on our legs. And people kept asking us how we got so dirty.

Julie, Tai, Jan

The three of us completed the Peacock 54-mile race together last October, so it was nice to be up there one last time before Tai moves away. And of course, there were the usual nice views.

Yokohama Bay

http://connect.garmin.com/player/33419908
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 5/8/2010
Start: Dillingham Airfield
Trails: Kealia Trail - Kealia Fire Road - Crossover to three-way & back
2:39 / 7.0 miles / 22:32 avg

12 Hours of Makawao: 5/22/2010

2010-05-26T14:41:00.002-10:00

Jan and I flew over to Maui for the 12 Hours of Makawao - a low-key event put on by the Valley Isle Road Runners at Kahakapao trail, a 6-mile loop in the Makawao Forest Reserve. Participants can run or mountain bike or both. For a few hours or all day.

Our original plan was to try to complete 8 loops (~49 miles) in 12 hours. But it turns out that the gate to the parking lot is only open from 7am-7pm. So realistically, that only gave us ~11 hours of running time.

Tom, the event director, graciously met us early and led us up the hill to the parking lot. We met some of the other runners and bikers and then were on our way at 7:20am.

Two of the local runners, Jackie and Marsha, were kind enough to show us the way on the first loop. It's a 0.5 mi dirt road from the parking lot to the Kahakapao trailhead. Then ~5.6 mi loop - up the East Loop to the top for the first half, then back down the West Loop. The trail has switchbacks up and down, so it's a gradual climb and a gradual downhill. Definitely a run-able grade, although we walked most of the uphills, since we were there all day.

The trail is very well-marked, with mile markers every half-mile and blue arrows on the trees to point the way. Since the trail is in the forest, the trail is leaves, pine needles, and soft dirt. A very forgiving surface and not at all rooty or rocky like Tantalus trails. And this past weekend, the trail was dry and in perfect condition.

Jan

Julie

http://connect.garmin.com/player/34599912
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

We would run 2 loops, then return to the car to restock. The Garmin route shows our first 4 loops (before the battery on my Forerunner 405 ran out). And the elevation map shows how consistently the trail is graded.

All in all: We completed 37 miles in 10.5 hours. On an amazing, amazing trail. At an easy, self-supported event. Can't wait for next year! Tom promises it'll be "even more low-key."

Splits (by loop):
1      1:28
2      1:41
break  0:05
3      1:39
4      1:41
lunch  0:19
5      1:59  (picture-taking loop)
6      1:44
Total: 10:36 / 37 miles / 17:11 avg

Gear:
- Asics Trabuco trail shoes
- Thorlo running socks
- Running Funky gaiters
- Camelbak (1.5L / 50 oz)
- 2 Clif bars
- 2 packs gummi bears
- 1 peanut butter and jelly sandwich
- 1/2 orange
- 2 bags pretzels
- McDonald's french fries (delivered by Brad and his Dad!)
- 11 Thermotabs / S-caps
- 75 oz (0.6 gal) Gatorade
- 75 oz (0.6 gal) water

The aftermath

Haleiwa Metric Century Ride (4/09)

2010-05-16T21:51:00.006-10:00

Here's the route from last year's Haleiwa Metric Century Ride. This year I was out of town and wasn't able to do it, but it's one of my favorite rides. Last year, my friends Mark and Jane were visiting, so Mark decided to do the Metric Century with me.

The Metric Century starts in Haleiwa and goes along the coast past Laie, out to Swanzy Beach Park in Kaaawa, and then back. And with the morning light over the water in so many places - you get so many super-amazing views.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/4414202
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 4/26/09
Start: Kaiaka Bay Beach Park, Haleiwa
Turnaround: Swanzy Beach Park, Kaaawa
3:47 / 55.5 miles / 14.7 mpg avg

The Haleiwa Metric Century Ride is put on by the Hawaii Bicycling League (HBL). Their website has these very cool, point-of-view (POV) videos of what it's like to ride on streets on Oahu. Check out this video going up Monsarrat Ave:

For links to all Oahu Bicycle Routes.

You can also view the maps including bicycle crash data, such as:
Map 1. Downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana, University

Eco-Trail de Paris 50k - Lisa's race report

2010-04-14T09:29:00.009-10:00

Lisa and her friend, Carol, flew to France to run a 50k trail race. The Eco-Trail de Paris 50k goes from Versailles to Paris and finishes at the base of the Eiffel Tower. How cool is that?

A few days before the race, Lisa emailed me a picture of her breakfast. I was drooling...

Petit dejeuner

Here's Lisa's race recap:

We finished! It was a mud fest and felt like 14 Hogsbacks in a row. Harder than the Volcano Marathon. I was doing good up to 40k @ 4:31, but then shuffled to the Eiffel Tower. Finished in 5:54. Carol was 5:36. Oh, we first had to walk a mile to catch the train to Versailles then walk 4k around Versailles Gardens to the race start line. So it was like a 55k! Lucky the rain stopped just as race started. It was a downpour for 15 hours before. The mud was crazy!

1 min. to START

at 10k - trudging up through the mud

Aid stations had chocolate! We are now having champagne and chocolate macarons.

Mmm, and fromage too

See attached Garmin data. You can see where the Garmin lost mileage in spikes of speed and I also recall looking at my Garmin 4-5 times and seeing it searching for satellites, lost signal.

4,500 feet of elevation gain (this is in garminconnect.com)....and when I downloaded to the Garmin Training software, it posted 7,000+ feet of elevation gain. It felt like 10,000!. Who knew if was going to be 20 times 200-foot hill gains. It was a Hogsback repeat race after all!

Race Required Gear:
- 2 liters water minimum (Nathan HPL Hydration 008 race vest with a 45+ oz Camelback bladder with electrolytes plus a Nathan 9 oz handheld bottle).
- Personal cup 15cl minimum
- Food supply (for me: 6 Tri-berry Gus, a few pretzel sticks, 1 pkg Clif Shots, 1 scoop Spiz)
- Rain Jacket
- Tights (CW-X)
- Trash keeper (race-provided mesh holder for your sports gu trash).
- Cell phone
- Reflective arm band
- Whistle
- Survival blanket!!!?
- Adhesive elastic band enabling you to make a bandage or strap (mini 80cm x 3 cm)
- Cap or bonnet (“buff”)
- Proof of identity (Road ID)
- Medical certificate (“fit for competitive running”)

Other personal gear:
- Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra trail shoes
- Long-Sleeve jersey
- SmartWool socks
- Electrolyte tab and Advil
- Map of race course
- 10 euros

My gear + water stuffed into the Nathan vest weighed 6 lbs! But very comfortable the entire race.

Links:
- More of Lisa's Paris pictures
- Eco-Trail de Paris site
- Blog post from 80k 4th place finisher, Ian Sharman

All photos by Lisa Reinke.

Top of Tantalus: 4/10/2010

2010-04-11T16:33:00.000-10:00

Top of Tantalus: Second race in the 2010 HURT Trail Series. The course was nice and muddy. And Na Ala Hele did a great job of clearing the trees that had blown down recently.

The race starts with a sprint from the Lookout to the trailhead. Then, while you wait in the pile-up that occurs at the narrow opening to the trail, you can catch your breath before it's your turn to head down the steep hill. After running through 7 miles of hills, rocks, roots, and mud, you get to run up the same steep hill that you started down. I think I was crawling by the time I finally, finally reached the top.

Jack

Julie

Jan

http://connect.garmin.com/player/29642678
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 4/10/10
Start: Puu Ualakaa State Park
Trails: Ualakaa - Makiki Valley - Nahuina - Kalawahine - Manoa Cliff - Moleka - Makiki Valley - Ualakaa
1:26 / 6.6 miles / 12:58 avg

More stuff on the HURT Hawaii site:
- Race Results and Rob's pics
- Mike's pics

Race photos by Rob Lahoe.

Ford Island Bridge 10k: 4/3/2010

2010-04-05T00:19:00.000-10:00

Saturday was the Ford Island Bridge 10k race. This is one of Brad's and my favorite races - and one of the few road races that I do. We've run it every year since 2004, except for 2006. There's something cool about running across the bridge and around the old airfield.

This year's race was pretty fun. Brad and I ran it together, but he could've had a faster time. Afterwards, we saw Jan, Andy, and Johnny. And had free popsicles from Meadow Gold. Then we went to Liliha Bakery for breakfast. Pancakes. Yum.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/29017277
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 4/3/10
Ford Island Bridge 10k
53:00 / 6.2 miles / 8:34 avg

On Thursday, Lisa, Jack, Alec, and I ran up on Tantalus. Throughout the run, we were amazed by the number of large trees that had been knocked down by the recent winds. It was like a tornado went through. Or a bulldozer.

Lisa brought chocolates from Paris to share. There were these homemade chocolate-covered marshmellows - they were super-light. And from Germany, some dark chocolate with mint - super-smooth. Thanks for sharing, Lisa!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/29016960
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 4/1/10
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Kalawahine - Manoa Cliff - Pauoa Flats - Kalawahine
0:50 / 3.1 miles / 16:19 avg

Peacock

2010-04-01T12:10:00.000-10:00

This weekend Jan and I headed up to Peacock. We can't get enough of the place. Rex joined us. Mike too. And we ran into Cheryl and Benita while they were up there.

Rex brought up the topic of the word "dude." And on the way down the switchbacks at Kealia, we got into a discussion about how "dude" can mean so many things.

Like "Happy surprise" dude:
Dude #1: "I brought you a case of beer."
Dude #2: "DUDE!"

Or "I know you're lying" dude:
Dude #1: "Did you drink the last beer?"
Dude #2: "No."
Dude #1: "Duuuuude..."

The route of our run is below. Fun times, dude.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/28507635
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 3/27/10
Start: Dillingham Airfield
Trails: Kealia - Access Road West - Kuaokala - Crossover out & back - Kealia
5:20 / 20.2 miles / 15:50 avg

Moanalua 6-mile: 3/20/2010

2010-03-23T22:37:00.000-10:00

Saturday was the first race in the 2010 HURT Trail Series. The Moanalua 6-mile is a new race and was added to the series this year. It is also a fundraiser for the HPU Cross Country team.

The trail goes into the back of the Moanalua Valley and climbs gradually until the turnaround. Brad and I ran the race together. He wanted to track his heart rate during the race, but I like knowing how far we've run. Since we were running together, he wore the heart rate monitor and I wore the Garmin watch.

See the HURT site for the race write-up, including results and pics.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/27887137
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 3/20/10
Start: Moanalua Valley
Trails: Moanalua Valley (out & back)
1:00 / 6.1 miles / 9:52 avg

On Thursday, Jan, Euvy, and I ran the Moanalua Valley trail, so we could get a preview before the race. The trail was muddy and a lot of the stream crossings were pretty wet. On the way out, we tried to step our way across the stream crossings. But on the way back, we pretty much just steeplechase-jumped our way across. On race day, we lucked out and it was a lot drier.

The preview must've helped Jan. She had a great race on Saturday!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/27426157
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 3/18/10
Start: Moanalua Valley
Trails: Moanalua Valley (out & back)
1:33 / 7.2 miles / 12:55 avg

Hogsback Loops, Reverse Gordon's Loop, and State Park

2010-03-14T20:47:00.000-10:00

This was the week for loops. First, Alec, Jan, and I did some Hogsback Loops. Alec and I ran together. Jan got there a little late, but burned through the first loop in 36:39!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/27034724
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 3/11/10
Start: Nature Center
Trails: Hogsback (Maunalaha) - Makiki Valley - Center (Kanealole). 2x.
1:33 / 4.7 miles / 19:45 avg

On Saturday, it was time for more Peacock. Jan, Johnny, and I had a great time. We decided to run Gordon's Loop in reverse. It's funny how when you run a familiar route backwards, it's practically like a brand-new trail.

Also, there'd been some recent talk on the HURT blog about "vicious" girls, who "give no quarter." But Johnny will tell you that when we found a quarter during the run, we let him have it. See, we're not that vicious. Really.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/27034928
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 3/13/10
Start: Dillingham Airfield
Trails: Kealia - Kuaokala - Access Road West - Kealia
3:43 / 12.6 miles / 17:37 avg

Then on Sunday, Brad and Jonathan started at the State Park and did a Hogsback Loop. Brad said it was a good day on the trails. It was Jonathan's first time on the trails, so hopefully he'll be back for more.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/27048207
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sun, 3/14/10
Start: State Park
Trails: Ualakaa - Makiki Valley - Center (Kanealole) - Hogsback (Maunalaha) - Ualakaa
1:12 / 3.5 miles / 20:23 avg

Kalawahine and Peacock Flats

2010-03-10T23:17:00.000-10:00

This week, Alec came out to run. Alec is a cancer survivor and it was great to see him out on the trails again!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/26605949
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 3/4/10
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Kalawahine - Manoa Cliff - Puu Ohia - Tantalus Road - Parking #2 - Concrete Road (up & back)
1:08 / 3.9 miles / 17:43 avg

Then on Saturday, Jan and I went to run up at Peacock Flats. I'd been dying to get out there - especially since I didn't make there last week. The views were amazing! As you can see from the map, you are surrounded by views of the ocean. Peacock is definitely one of my favorite places to run on the island.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/26606120
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 3/6/10
Start: Dillingham Airfield
Trails: Kealia - Access Road West - Kuaokala - Crossover out & back - Access Road West - Kealia
4:38 / 15.5 miles / 17:59 avg

Tsunami Warning, Then Some Trails to the State Park

2010-03-10T22:41:00.003-10:00

On Sat, Feb 27, 2010 at 6am, we were awakened by civil defense sirens, followed by an announcement over the building intercom that this was not a drill. Then at 6:15am, my parents called from California to make sure we were awake. Actually, I had known about the impending tsunami since the night before, since I'd been up watching the Olympics.

The tsunami was expected to arrive in Honolulu at 11:37am. Check out this cool map that shows the earthquake in Chile and predicts how the potential tsunami would radiate outward.

Map from NOAA

Brad and I topped off the gas tank in my car and then went to Safeway to stock up. Combining our existing emergency supplies with our newly-purchased food, we felt pretty prepared and sat on the lanai to watch and wait.

First, we saw all the boats leaving the harbor. Pretty cool - I've never seen so many boats out on the water.

From 11:30am to 1:30pm, we saw about 4 'waves.' The water would go out and expose a large part of the reef at Ala Moana Beach Park. Then the water would come back in and cover the reef. Then the cycle would start again. Usually when the water going out and coming in is due to the tide, it takes a long time to expose/cover the reef. But from the tsunami, it happened much faster - in a few minutes. And there was only 20 minutes between the water going out and the water coming back in.

This time-lapse video from KHON shows the water at Ala Moana coming in and going back out (CNN mislabeled it as Hilo).

Luckily, there wasn't much impact of the tsunami in Hawaii (or elsewhere). And after the tsunami warning was cancelled, I went on with my plans to run up at Peacock Flats. However, my car had other ideas and freaked out on the freeway, so I had to turn around and go home. Later Brad drove us up to Tantalus, and we went for a run to the State Park. The lookout was still full of people, who had gone up there for a high vantage point for the tsunami.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/26102539
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 2/27/10
Start: Nature Center
Trails: Hogsback - Ualakaa (to State Park & back) - Makiki Valley (to Moleka & back) - Makiki Valley - Kanealole
1:12 / 4.3 miles / 16:42 avg

Pali Lookout (Maunawili trail)

2010-02-24T17:30:00.000-10:00

On Saturday, Lisa, Jan, and I decided to meet at the Pali Lookout for a run on the Maunawili trail. Jack came along too and brought a surprise guest: Kristin, who was visiting from Boulder. Newcomer Robert joined too. The weather was pretty good - no rain and not too hot. The trails were a little muddy and slippery, due to the rain the night before.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/25484760
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 2/20/10
Start: Pali Lookout
Trails: Maunawili (out & back)
3:19 / 12.1 miles / 16:26 avg

More Concrete Road, Valentine's Biathlon, Great Aloha Run

2010-02-17T12:13:00.001-10:00

Here are last week's routes.

First, Annie, Lisa, and I met at Parking #2 for more Concrete Telephone Road. Then a little out-and-back on the trails.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/24913382
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 2/11/10
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Concrete Road - Puu Ohia - Tantalus Road - Kalawahine & back
1:13 / 4.5 miles / 16:26 avg

Then Sunday was the Valentine's Biathlon. Brad and I did the relay - I ran, he swam. And since it's for Valentine's Day, the 'hand-off' is a kiss.

In the Married category, we were 9th overall. But 7th in our age group. Sheesh, tough age division. In any case, the races put on by the Waikiki Swim Club are always fun.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/24913735
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sun, 2/14/10
Start: Magic Island
Run: 23:23 / 3.1 miles / 7:34 per mile
Swim: 18:59 / 1000 meters / 1:54 per 100 meters
Total: 42:22 (7th of 21 teams)

Finally, on Monday I walked the Great Aloha Run with my friends. Last year, Darrin and Neil decided to try it for the first time. This year, they were back for more. And they even got Chad and Kendall to join us too. If you've only run GAR, it's actually a LOT of work to walk it. Luckily the weather wasn't too hot and we talked story the whole way.

Kendall, Darrin, me, Chad, Neil before the start.

After the finish. Great job guys!!!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/24914915
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 2/15/10
Start: Aloha Tower
Finish: Aloha Stadium
2:30 / 8.2 miles / 18:12 avg

Big Island: Snow, Lava, and Sand (4/09)

2010-02-16T10:57:00.001-10:00

In April 2009, my parents came to Hawaii for a visit. We made a trip to the Big Island. And I took my Garmin along.

We went up to the summit of Mauna Kea, which was amazing. The tour company, Mauna Kea Summit Adventures, picked us up in Kona and drove us up to the Vistors Center, where they gave us parkas, gloves, and a warm dinner. Then it was up to the top to watch the sunset among the snow and observatories.

Finally we went down the mountain slightly (to warmer temperatures thankfully) for stargazing and hot drinks. The guides pointed out the visible constellations and looking through the telescopes was super cool. They showed us Saturn - you could actually see its rings!

For fun, I tracked our route to the top of Mauna Kea with my GPS watch. If you zoom in, you can see the observatories at the summit.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/3845780
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 4/11/09
Start: Lanihau Center, Kailua-Kona
Roads: Queen Kaahumanu Hwy - Waikoloa Rd - Hawaii Belt Rd - Saddle Rd - Mauna Kea Access Rd
2:30 / 76.4 miles / 15,600' elevation gain / 31 mph

We also drove out past Kalapana, where the lava was flowing into the ocean. We took flashlights and binoculars and followed the path in the dark. From the viewing area, you could see a faint red glow. And once in a while you could even see lava shooting into the air as it hit the water.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/3880015
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 4/13/09
Start: End of Hwy 130
Trails: Changes daily
0:18 / 0.5 miles (one-way)

And of course, Brad and I had to find a trail to run on. From Wawaloli Beach Park, there is a trail along the coast. The trail goes north to an old lighthouse (demolished shortly after we were there) and extends south of the beach park to a surf spot (Pine Trees). The trail consists of sections of sand, dirt road, and some lava.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/3845695
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 4/11/09
Start: Wawaloli Beach Park
Trails: North to lighthouse & back - south to Pine Trees & back
1:21 / 6.8 miles / 11:57 avg

Puu Ohia and Kaena Point

2010-02-07T18:31:00.001-10:00

On Thursday, Jan and I ran up to Puu Ohia trail. Then to make our run a little longer, we added a loop up the Concrete Telephone Road.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/24223885
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 2/4/10
Start: Parking #3
Trails: Parking #3-Parking #2-Kalawahine-Manoa Cliff-Puu Ohia-Parking #3-Parking #2-Concrete Telephone Road-Puu Ohia-Parking #3
1:13 / 4.4 miles / 16:43 avg

On Sunday, Lisa, Jan, Tai, Annie, Andy, Arvel, and I went for a run at Kaena Point. Most people started from Dillingham Airfield. But I started at the beginning of the dirt road. There were whales offshore, 2 monk seals on the beach/rocks, and nesting albatross.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/24224002
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sun, 2/7/2010
Start: Kaena Point (North Shore)
Trails: Kaena Point
2:29 / 10.9 miles / 13:39 avg

Annie, Jan, Andy, Tai, me.

How Accurate is the Garmin Forerunner 405?

2010-02-07T17:57:00.000-10:00

I'm going to start including some routes from 2009.

Shortly after I got my Garmin Forerunner 405, I went to a nearby track for a run and to break in my new soccer cleats. I wore my new GPS watch, because I thought a run around a track would be a good test of how accurate the routes appear.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/1734500

1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box. Zoom In.
2. Press the "Play" button

You can see that I:
- Ran 1.5 laps around the outside of the track.
Stopped at the bleachers to change from my running shoes to soccer cleats.
- Ran 2.5 laps around the grass football field, which is inside the track.
- Had to detour around the shotput cage at the NW corner of the football field.
- Started getting blisters from the cleats and walked across the football field back to the bleachers.
- Put my running shoes back on.
- Ran 0.5 lap back to the gate.
- Started walking home, while trying to figure out how to turn off the watch.

For another somewhat silly perspective on Forerunner accuracy, check out this Garmin blog post, which answers the question: When using a Garmin on a cruise ship does it measure the ship's movement or your movement if you run laps on deck?

Reverse Trek Loop (sorta) and Jan/Ultrarunning Article

2010-02-02T18:30:00.013-10:00

On Saturday, Jan, Lisa, and I met for a run. Even though it rained all night, the Tantalus trails were still in great condition. Wet, but not muddy. I'm lucky to have good running friends, because I definitely would've bailed on this rainy morning if it wasn't for them.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/23829725
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 1/30/10
Start: Nature Center
Trails: Hogsback-Makiki Valley-Kanealole. Hogsback-Makiki Valley-Nahuina-Kalawahine-Manoa Cliff-Moleka-Makiki Valley-Kanealole.
3:04 / 10.2 miles / 17:59 avg

Jan's company's newsletter featured an article about her and ultrarunning. Very cool article and pictures!

Check it out on the HURT Hawaii website.

Rancho San Antonio - Los Altos, CA

2010-02-02T10:08:00.001-10:00

Over Christmas, Brad and I went to San Jose, CA to visit my family. We lucked out with the weather and got in a couple of trail runs while we were there.

The trails at Rancho San Antonio are mostly wide, dirt, fire roads - different from the muddy, single-track trails in Hawaii. In the map, you can see how much drier the terrain looks, compared to the usual green of the Hawaii map views.

The day after Christmas, Aaron joined us for a little while - and brought his new daughter so we could meet her for the first time.

Wait a sec, this isn't mom!

This isn't either?!

Whew! At least dad is here!

Brad and me at the top of Rogue Valley trail, with the south end of the SF Bay in the background.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/23321846
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 12/26/09
Start: Rancho San Antonio Main Parking
Trails: Permanente Creek to Deer Hollow Farm - Rogue Valley - Wildcat Loop - back
1:27 / 6.5 miles / 13:20 avg

On Tuesday, Brad and I ran the Powerline (PG&E) trail. I'd never been on it before. Fun hill.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/23321878
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Tue, 12/29/09
Start: Rancho San Antonio Equestrian Parking
Trails: Coyote - PG & E - Upper High Meadow - High Meadow - Coyote
1:39 / 7.9 miles / 12:37 avg

Nature Center & Peacock

2010-02-01T07:48:00.013-10:00

On Thursday, Lisa and I went for a morning run.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/23367111
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Thu, 1/21/10
Start: Nature Center
Trails: Hogsback - Ualakaa (out & back) - Makiki Valley - Kanealole
0:58 / 3.1 miles / 18:29 avg

Then Saturday, Jan, Andy, and I met for a run up at Peacock. Cheryl was there too.

Jan, Cheryl, Andy

Me, Jan on Crossover Road

Andy and Jan heading back down

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/23367262
1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 1/23/10
Start: Bottom of Long Road
Trails: Long Road - Crossover - Access Road (partial) - back
4:05 / 16.9 miles / 14:27 avg

Lisa & Annie's Birthday Run & Breakfast: Maunawili & Maunawili Falls Trails

2010-01-18T22:03:00.005-10:00

On Dec 20, 2009, we celebrated Lisa's and Annie's birthdays with a nice, muddy trail run, which included a couple of stream crossings. Then breakfast afterwards.

Thanks to Brad and Jack for coming along on the run! And to Tai, Jan, Patti, and Stefan for meeting us for breakfast!

Lisa and Annie at the Kaena Point Firecracker run (7/4/09). Pics by HURT Hawaii.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/20954633
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 12/20/09
Start: Pali Lookout
Trails: Maunawili Trail - Maunawili Falls Trail
1:33 / 4.9 miles / 18:52 avg

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T09:42:00.003-10:00

I haven't been making updates to this blog lately. But I decided to add up all the miles I've swam, biked, run this year. Only races/events are included - not training. I've never added up previous years, but 2009 was by far the longest distance I've ever done.

In 2010, I hope to follow a similar race schedule. And will also attempt to keep this blog up-to-date.

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 11

2009-08-14T08:19:00.003-10:00

I missed Week 10 of the Training, because I was hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai (route and pics to come). I returned for Week 11 - and for some climbing. Wednesday night's run went down to Jackass Ginger and back up. Saturday's run/hike went to the top of Mt. Kaala, the highest peak on Oahu.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/8590234
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 6/17/2009
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Kalawahine - Pauoa Flats - Nuuanu - Jackass Ginger - back
2:12 / 4.6+ miles / 5149' elev. gain
We ran from Parking #2 down to the bottom of Nuuanu trail and then back up. My Garmin didn't start recording until partway into the run.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/7521095
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 6/20/2009
Start: Waianae Valley
4:38 / 6.8 miles / 4949' elev. gain
Mt. Kaala is the highest peak on Oahu (about 4000'). The climb is more of a hike than a run and there are great views all the way up. You can see in the map that the top of Kaala is flat. And since it's in the clouds a lot, it's kinda like a bog up there - with many unique plants.

Photo by Brian Clarke

Photo by Brian Clarke
The climb has a lot of ropes, cords, garden hoses, printer cables for the steep, slippery sections.

Photo by Brian Clarke
View of the Waianae valley/coast.

Photo by Cynthia Gibson
Me, Annie, and Linda.

Mango Madness: 6/13/2009

2009-08-05T22:57:00.012-10:00

Mango Madness is the 3rd race in the 2009 HURT Trail Series. The course goes from the bottom to the top of the Tantalus trails. From the Nature Center, up Kanealole, Nahuina, the concrete Telephone road until the top at Puu Ohia. Then back down. The faster runners were thrown for a loop (literally) when the race marshalls made them go down Puu Ohia and up the Telephone road a second time, before continuing on the rest of the course.

Annie and I were out for a training run, not a race, so we volunteered to do the extra loop. The race marshalls were shocked - they couldn't believe we wanted to go up the Telephone road again. Annie and I had a great run. And the smiling reactions from the race marshalls and aid station volunteers made it even better.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/8590047
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 6/13/09
Start: Nature Center
2:25 / 9.5 miles / 15:09 avg

Photo by HURT Hawaii
Annie & I near the top of the concrete Telephone road.

Photo by HURT Hawaii
Brad finishing the race.

Photo by Brian Clarke
David, Ramon, Linda, Cindy, Annie, Brian, me, and Jack.

The HURT Hawaii website has the event write-up, race results, info on the cool keychains we got, and links to lots of race pictures. Including pics of: David, Jack, Brian, Ramon, Cindy, Melani, Linda, Ruby & Loren, Byron & Marji, and Benita . Thanks HURT!

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 9

2009-08-04T12:24:00.004-10:00

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/8589461
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 6/1/09
Start: Nature Center
Trails: Kanealole - Nahuina - Telephone rd - Puu Ohia - Parking #3 - Parking #2 - back
1:48 / 5.9 miles / 18:29 avg
We did the long uphill route that is the start of the Mango Madness course. In the map, you can see that the trails are easily accessible from the more densely populated areas of Honolulu.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/8589561
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 6/3/09
Start: Manoa Falls
Trails: Manoa Falls - Ahuialama - Pauoa Flats - Kalawahine - Nahuina - Kanealole - Nature Center
1:48 / 5.7 miles / 19:11 avg
Continued uphill after Manoa Falls, then down to the Nature Center. Some of the runners continued on the roads back to the start of the Manoa Falls trail for a long, weeknight run.

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 8

2009-08-04T11:51:00.005-10:00

To prepare for the upcoming Mango Madness race, we ran the Top of Tantalus loop twice this week: clockwise on Monday and counter-clockwise on Wednesday.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/8588832
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 5/25/09
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Telephone rd - Puu Ohia - Manoa Cliff - Moleka - Makiki Valley - Nahuina
1:30 / 4.7 miles / 19:10 avg

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/8588885
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 5/27/09
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Nahuina - Makiki Valley - Moleka - Manoa Cliff - Kalawahine
1:38 / 5.6 miles / 17:38 avg

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 7

2009-08-02T19:53:00.006-10:00

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/5999921
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 5/20/09
Start: Jackass Ginger
Trails: Jackass Ginger - Nuuanu - Pauoa Flats - Lookout - back
1:54 / 3.9+ miles
We crossed Nuuanu Stream, then went up to the top of the ridge. After that, we continued on to the Pauoa Flats Lookout for a view of Kailua. For some reason, my Garmin didn't pick up the satellite signal until we got to the top of the ridge.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/8588779
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 5/23/09
Start: Pupukea
2:54 / 10.8 miles / 16:10 avg
First, we headed up the fire trail section. Looks like the Army has been doing a lot of work on the trail - grading it and putting down a layer of rocks. In some places, they've widened it and removed some of the hillside plants. We followed the trail until it ended up on a paved road. If you zoom in and pan further north in the map, you can see a network of other roads that it probably connects to. I hope they don't pave over the rest of the fire trail. On the way back, we went through the valley on the Kaunala trail.

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 6

2009-07-31T22:04:00.010-10:00

After a (sort of) recovery run on Monday, we had a long run Wed night across the valley, up the concrete Telephone road to Puu Ohia, and back. Then on Saturday, we headed up to Kuliouou.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/5998570
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 5/13/09
Start: State Park
Trails: Ualakaa - Makiki Valley - Nahuina - Telephone road - Puu Ohia - Manoa Cliff - Pauoa Flats - Kalawahine - back
2:28 / 8.4 miles / 17:39 avg
Can you tell that I forgot to stop my Garmin watch until I was driving home?

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/6000479
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 5/16/09
Start: Kuliouou Neighborhood Park
2:43 / 8.0 miles / 20:15 avg

The Kuliouou Ridge trail gets kinda steep near the top.

But at the top, you're rewarded with great views of where you came from - like Koko Crater in the background.

And looking over the other side to Waimanalo.

Jack, Joan, me, Tracy, Annie, Linda, Beverly, and Melanie

Run With A View: 5/9/2009

2009-07-31T16:03:00.008-10:00

Run With a View (of the Moon)

Saturday was the 2nd race in the 2009 HURT (Hawaiian Ultra Running Team) Trail Series. Run With a View starts in the hills up above Pearl Harbor. When we arrived at 6:15am (ugh), there was a cool view of the almost-full moon low on the horizon overlooking the water. I guess there are some benefits to waking up early.

The race organizers decided to run the course in the reverse direction than usual. A bunch of runners (including me) got lost, which mixed up the field. Nothing like working hard to pass someone, only to have to turn around and have them be ahead - and uphill - of you.

But Cindy got the most lost - she and another runner found themselves off the trail and in an unknown neighborhood. They used her iPhone to navigate their way on the streets back to the park where the race started. Saved by the iPhone!

http://connect.garmin.com/player/5217404
Sat, 5/9/09
Start: Pearl City
1:44 / 8.6 miles / 12:02 avg

My original plan was to take it easy and not race, since I had a soccer game the next day. But I kinda got caught up in the energy of the other runners (especially with Ramon on the downhills) and ended up finishing fast enough to win a cool HURT baseball hat.

Read the full write-up on the HURT website. They have the race results posted, as well as a bunch of pics from the course and at the finish. All in all, a fun event!

Photo by HURT Hawaii

P.S. - In case you were wondering, my soccer team managed a 1-1 tie against a tough team on Sunday.

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 5

2009-07-31T15:37:00.002-10:00

A couple of hour-long runs this week, as we get ready for the Race With A View on Saturday. I only had my watch for Wednesday's run, which went up Manoa Cliff & through the bamboo on Puu Ohia.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.http://connect.garmin.com/player/5217365
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 5/6/09
Start: Parking #4
Trails: Manoa Cliff - Puu Ohia - Parking #3 - Parking #4
0:53 / 3.0 miles / 17:48 avg

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 4

2009-07-30T14:50:00.009-10:00

Week 4 of Trail Training. This week we ran near Puu Ohia, the highest point on the Tantalus trails. And also ran parts of the Maunawili trail that I'd never been on before. Nice to have my Garmin to show us where we went.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/5216271
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 4/27/09
Start: Parking #3
Trails: Parking #3 - Parking #4 - Manoa Cliff - Puu Ohia
1:03 / 3.2 miles / 19:45 avg
In the Terrain map, you can see near the end of the run, we go around the edge of the Puu Ohia cinder cone (pu'u means hill in Hawaiian). The spur is a little detour we took to the top where the radio tower is. And you get great 360° views. Also, if you change the Player to show "Heart Rate" instead of "Speed", you'll see that my heart rate is higher at the end of the run when we're going downhill than it was when we were going uphill. Gotta love running downhill.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/5216920
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 4/29/09
Start: Parking #3
Trails: Parking #3 - Parking #4 - Manoa Cliff - Pauoa Flats - Kalawahine - Parking #2
0:57 / 3.6 miles / 15:42 avg
Similar to Monday's run, but we went around on Manoa Cliff instead of going on Puu Ohia.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/5217040
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 5/2/09
Start: Waimanalo
Trails: Maunawili Ditch - Maunawili
1:55 / 7.3 miles / 15:43 avg
The Maunawili trail, which we run all the time, goes from Waimanalo to the Pali Lookout, along the base of the Koolau mountains. This time we decided to start with the Maunawili Ditch trail. Then followed another side trail, which led to the Luana Hills golf course. Both detours were interesting, but for a long run, the Maunawili trail is better. And has nicer views.

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 3

2009-07-30T11:40:00.012-10:00

This week I'm uploading Terrain views of the routes. Luckily Google Maps has terrain views for a lot of places that I run in Hawaii. They make some routes look pretty cool - you can practically feel the hills.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/4297665
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 4/20/09
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Kalawahine - Pauoa Flats - Nuuanu - Pauoa Flats - Manoa Cliff - Kalawahine
1:26 / 5.0 / 17:15 avg
Went to the Pauoa Flats lookout, where you can see the Pali Highway and into Kailua, then to the bench/grassy knoll on Nuuanu - my favorite trail.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/4297907
1. In the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 4/22/09
Start: Parking #2
Trails: Kalawahine - Manoa Cliff - Pauoa Flats - Nuuanu - back
1:31 / 5.2 miles / 17:36 avg
Similar to Monday's run. My GPS watch was a little off - the beginning and end of the route were on the same (narrow) trail and should appear on top of each other (like on Monday's map). Strange.

Click on the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/4297090
1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" or "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Sat, 4/25/09
Start: Pearl City
2:09 / 7.0 miles / 18:27 avg
Getting to know the trail that'll be used for the Run With A View race in 2 weeks. Looks pretty cool on the Terrain map. Great views throughout the run.

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 2

2009-07-30T00:07:00.004-10:00

Second week of Trail Training. I only made it to one of three trainings since my parents were visiting. I have some interesting routes from their trip, which I'll upload later. In the meantime, here's Wednesday evening's run.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/3880592
1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" or "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Wed, 4/15/09
Start: Parking #1
Trails: Makiki Valley - Moleka - Manoa Cliff - back
1:36 / 5.0 miles / 19:03 avg

Brian Clarke's Trail Training: 2009, week 1

2009-07-29T23:12:00.008-10:00

This is from the first week of Brian Clarke's Trail Training program. I first found out about his Trail Training in 2004 and since then I've been coming back every year. I've learned a ton about Oahu trails and about running from Brian.

Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/3103056
1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" or "Terrain" box
2. Press the "Play" button

Mon, 4/6/09
Start: State Park
Trails: Ualakaa-Moleka-Manoa Cliff-back
1:00 / 3.5 miles / 17:20 avg

It was fun to run with people who I hadn't seen since last year's training.

The Oahu Trail Training runs from April to August to prepare runners, joggers, and walkers for the HURT Trail Series. For more information about Brian Clarke and his training programs, see the BC Endurance webpage.

Welcome to Dot Racing!

2009-07-28T22:40:00.027-10:00

Welcome to Dot Racing!

For my birthday/Christmas, my husband, Brad, got me a great gift: a Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS watch. I've been having so much fun uploading routes from it, I decided to start a blog as a place to post them.

The 'Player' feature on Garmin's site is my favorite. I run mostly trails, so it's pretty cool to see exactly where I went in Google maps. And I like how you can visually see how the speed changes with the steepness/elevation of the trail.

Here's one of my first routes. Click the map or link below to go to the Garmin Connect site.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/1503788
1. On the map image on the Garmin site, select the "Hybrid" box
2. Press the "Play" button

The 'Player' also reminds me of Dot Racing at Oakland A's games - you pick one of three dots to cheer for as they race laps around an oval track on the scoreboard. Totally silly, but entertaining (if you have beer and peanuts, everything is entertaining...).

Hence, the name: Dot Racing.

Apparently, Dot Racing at the A's game has all advanced graphics now. But I still like the old school version:

I'm looking forward to uploading more routes. Hope you come back and check them out!

Julie

P.S. - Turns out there's a Dot Racing feature on Motion Based's site, the precursor to Garmin's site. I hope they add it to http://connect.garmin.com soon!