This is the 12th time Art has done the Great Aloha Run, but my 11th since I wasn't able to do it last year after twisting my ankle the day before. I was rather disappointed last year after seeing Art's huge medal. It just happened to be the 35th annual GAR race since its start in 1985 by Carole Kai, Jack Scaff, M.D. and Buck Buchwach. The Great Aloha Run held every Presidents Day is a charity event that benefits over 100 non-profit charities around the islands. It was Art's idea to join the race ever since we moved back to the islands in summer of 2008.
I wasn't thrilled to do the race just because I don't love waking up at 3:30 in the morning, having a light breakfast, emptying my digestive system of everything and being out the door by 5:00.
However, once again we were out the door and followed the endless caravan of shuttle buses to the Aloha Stadium.
Once we parked our car, we took photos of our space so we could be sure to find it after the race.
The line to board the shuttle buses seemed never ending.
Our driver was rather a speedster and got us into Honolulu in about 20 minutes.
However, he let us off pretty darn far from the starting point which didn't make me happy.
I was already not confident that I could walk 8.12 miles since I hadn't exercised in about a month while I was in Illinois and recovering from the jet lag at home. (That's my excuse, and I stand by it.)
I'm tacking on almost another mile of walking to get to the Aloha Tower starting point.
At 7:00 the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaii's state anthem, Hawaii Pono'i were sung. The military ran alongside us as the race started. Mayor Kirk Caldwell stood on the sidelines encouraging everyone. There were 18,000 runner/walkers.
As we began our walk, I saw a lot of homeless encampments along the street.
I hoped the GAR proceeds would also be going to help all these people who are in need of assistance.
There were LONG lines at all the porta potties.
Just seeing it made me think I needed to go... but no... we kept walking.
Art coaxed me saying, "Don't think about."
Crane operators started beeping their horns at all the walkers and the mood was jovial and happy.
We passed the fire department where firefighters sat and watched while a high school band played.
We always enjoy getting free fresh cut roses from Watanabe florist as well as artificial plumerias which I tied to my hat later.
Art carried the fresh roses in his backpack. I hoped they would survive our walk.
I'm always happy when we get to walk in the shade of the viaduct.
I was rather disappointed this year not to see many fun costumes like we've seen in the past.
There were a lot of water stations along the way where volunteers kept us hydrated. I took a couple of ibuprofens because my knees were starting to hurt. And yes, I brought cookies to coat my stomach too.
There were also medical personnel stationed in intervals along the race course keeping a close watch on the health of all the participants.
You can see the rail is STILL in the process of being built. Sigh...
We left the cover of the viaduct for the last couple miles, but it was wonderfully cloudy. Yay!
In fact, it was cloudy with an occasional light shower during the entire race which made it very pleasant.
Ahhhh....
Finally! We could see the Aloha Stadium!
There were mile markers all along the course which was encouraging.
I was so relieved that I'd finished the walk.
What a humongous surprise to find medals being passed out to all finishers!!! Can you believe it? I got a medal! Yay!
And the roses? They survived beautifully and perked up when I cut the stems and provided some water to revive them.
I can hardly believe I finished and even more of a surprise... I got the second best time since we started doing these walks. My time for the 8.12 mile was 2:34:56. Art's time was 2:34:57 since he had me pass through the Finish Line first.
Our finisher t-shirts are a lot of fun! "Pau" in Hawaiian means finished or done.
Hmmm.... Now what shall I do with my medal? It's rather heavy to wear to Zumba. Juuust kidding!
POSTSCRIPT:
Record of my times since I started walking in 2009.
2009 2:56:12
2010 3:01:21
2011 2:42:44
2012 2:46:12
2013 2:48:32
2014 2:35:55
2015 2:35:24
2016 2:29:05
2017 2:36:30
2018 2:54:03
2019 Did not walk
2020 2:34:56
I wasn't thrilled to do the race just because I don't love waking up at 3:30 in the morning, having a light breakfast, emptying my digestive system of everything and being out the door by 5:00.
However, once again we were out the door and followed the endless caravan of shuttle buses to the Aloha Stadium.
Once we parked our car, we took photos of our space so we could be sure to find it after the race.
The line to board the shuttle buses seemed never ending.
Our driver was rather a speedster and got us into Honolulu in about 20 minutes.
However, he let us off pretty darn far from the starting point which didn't make me happy.
I was already not confident that I could walk 8.12 miles since I hadn't exercised in about a month while I was in Illinois and recovering from the jet lag at home. (That's my excuse, and I stand by it.)
I'm tacking on almost another mile of walking to get to the Aloha Tower starting point.
At 7:00 the Star Spangled Banner and Hawaii's state anthem, Hawaii Pono'i were sung. The military ran alongside us as the race started. Mayor Kirk Caldwell stood on the sidelines encouraging everyone. There were 18,000 runner/walkers.
As we began our walk, I saw a lot of homeless encampments along the street.
I hoped the GAR proceeds would also be going to help all these people who are in need of assistance.
There were LONG lines at all the porta potties.
Just seeing it made me think I needed to go... but no... we kept walking.
Art coaxed me saying, "Don't think about."
Crane operators started beeping their horns at all the walkers and the mood was jovial and happy.
We passed the fire department where firefighters sat and watched while a high school band played.
We always enjoy getting free fresh cut roses from Watanabe florist as well as artificial plumerias which I tied to my hat later.
Art carried the fresh roses in his backpack. I hoped they would survive our walk.
I'm always happy when we get to walk in the shade of the viaduct.
I was rather disappointed this year not to see many fun costumes like we've seen in the past.
There were a lot of water stations along the way where volunteers kept us hydrated. I took a couple of ibuprofens because my knees were starting to hurt. And yes, I brought cookies to coat my stomach too.
There were also medical personnel stationed in intervals along the race course keeping a close watch on the health of all the participants.
You can see the rail is STILL in the process of being built. Sigh...
We left the cover of the viaduct for the last couple miles, but it was wonderfully cloudy. Yay!
In fact, it was cloudy with an occasional light shower during the entire race which made it very pleasant.
Ahhhh....
Finally! We could see the Aloha Stadium!
There were mile markers all along the course which was encouraging.
I was so relieved that I'd finished the walk.
What a humongous surprise to find medals being passed out to all finishers!!! Can you believe it? I got a medal! Yay!
And the roses? They survived beautifully and perked up when I cut the stems and provided some water to revive them.
I can hardly believe I finished and even more of a surprise... I got the second best time since we started doing these walks. My time for the 8.12 mile was 2:34:56. Art's time was 2:34:57 since he had me pass through the Finish Line first.
Our finisher t-shirts are a lot of fun! "Pau" in Hawaiian means finished or done.
Hmmm.... Now what shall I do with my medal? It's rather heavy to wear to Zumba. Juuust kidding!
POSTSCRIPT:
Record of my times since I started walking in 2009.
2009 2:56:12
2010 3:01:21
2011 2:42:44
2012 2:46:12
2013 2:48:32
2014 2:35:55
2015 2:35:24
2016 2:29:05
2017 2:36:30
2018 2:54:03
2019 Did not walk
2020 2:34:56
Good for you. I think my feet would hurt after 5 miles. Looks like the weather cooperated for you, too.
ReplyDeleteYou did really well in both your walk and your reporting, including photo documentation.
ReplyDeleteWow Kay, very much enjoyed this! You & Art sure make an awesome couple, and nice to see your medals :)
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you had a successful walk! Big congrats Kay and Art!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the race! You and art are inspirational in all the fun and activity u have together. Beautiful rose is a bonus. Jasmine
ReplyDeleteI give you lots of credit for doing this. It's not the walking that would bother me, it's the crowds.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Kay and Art! I thought about you, wondering how you were doing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the photos too!
Yay! Good for you. Thanks for the great photos too. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you getting fastah! You are a better woman than I, Kay! Admire you and Art for so many reasons <3
ReplyDeleteProud of you and Art. Especially since you were a bit concerned about the whole thing. Can't believe those crowds and how rude to make you walk to the starting line:)) Your times have really been consistent. Keep up that great work.
ReplyDeleteThere's always a downside to every shuttle driver
ReplyDeleteBig Congrats to both of your. What a wonderful cultural experience this has become. LIke you the early morning would be my demise.
ReplyDeleteYou have a very good time at this event. We need events like this to keep up some good community spirit.
ReplyDeleteLook at you two! Well done.
ReplyDeleteWell done! I so can't run any more. It makes me sad. I do love my snowshoeing, though.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I knew you could do it. And what fun pictures. Those roses are so pretty! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's impressive! CONGRATULATIONS...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It is worth the humbug in the morning, right?
ReplyDelete