Complete: 02/20/2012
Photo courtesy of GAR website
The first item I checked off my bucket list! I've wanted to do this race for quite a while, hearing the experiences of friends who finished it and feeling inspired. But because I was never that good at running, that deterred me from every solidly committing to it...until come this past December 2011.
After mailing in my registration form in mid-December, I started to plan a training schedule to help me prepare. Unfortunately, I got sick for the rest of December, and had to postpone training until the new year. It got me a little worried, as I was not in shape for running and had less than two months to condition my body. I pushed my body to the limit to meet my goal, which I'm pretty sure my left knee paid for. For example, in only my second training session, just for the heck of it, I jogged/walked the entire 8.15 miles to see how long it would take. Or when I went from under 2 miles to attempting 4 and then attempting 6 when it is advised to increase your distance by 10% or something like that. Not a smart idea to try to complete my goal at the expense of my health, but that's what happened, I reached my goal (way under my goal!), and I promise I'll be better at training myself for a marathon.
Just to give a little background on the race, the Great Aloha Run is an 8.15 mile course from Aloha Tower to Aloha Stadium that is held every President's Day. It is an ongoing annual event that was first held 27 years ago in 1985. This race has raised millions of dollars to support numerous non-profit organizations and community groups in Hawaii.
Photo courtesy of GAR website
In
the early hours of Monday, February 20, 2012, I made my way to the
start line at Aloha Tower. It was jam-packed with people of all ages.
There were markers along the starting area for participants to line up
according to their estimated finish time. I positioned at the 1:30 marker,
but should have started more up since I had to weave around so many
people in the beginning and probably could have shaved off some time because of that.
The gun sounded at 7:30am, signaling the start of the Great Aloha Run. I just turned on my ipod and ran.
Photo courtesy of GAR website
From
Aloha Tower, the route follows Nimitz Highway, goes under the freeway,
and makes it way up across Kamehameha Highway to Aloha Stadium. The
course is relatively flat and the sun isn't really a factor that early
in the morning.
Photo courtesy of GAR website
For
the first mile or two, I was making good time. Then from about miles
four and five, I realized that I was not on track to finish within my
intended time, so I really had to pick up the pace. I tried following
this older Asian woman since she was running pretty fast, but couldn't keep up. Instead, I found myself running in line with the
Sounds of Freedom. They're active duty military who run in formation,
shouting chants to keep the team motivated. They kept a good pace, which I
was luckily able to maintain. Had it not been for them, I'm pretty sure I
wouldn't have made my goal. Thank you!
Photo courtesy of GAR website
The
finish line! 1:18:56 after I crossed the start line, I made it past the
finish. I've never felt so pumped and proud of myself for running
nonstop for the entire time. My hips were sore, but I was totally elated
for killing the run.
Postcard with results.
[Note:
I am not one to really take pictures, which is why I had to borrow most
of them from the website. But now that I've decided to try to document
all my bucket list accomplishments, I'll try to be better about
providing my own pictures.]
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