Ford Island Bridge 10k: 4/3/2010

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

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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

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

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

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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)

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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)

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

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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)

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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

How Accurate is the Garmin Forerunner 405?

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?