Honolulu Marathon, 2009: He Did It!

He did it! We are so relieved that he finished well and finished safely.

We got up this morning at 3:00. I was going to get up at 3:30 but was too keyed up. Once Art got up, I couldn't stay abed.


I started collecting the things we would need for the day. My brother, Dennis arrived 15 minutes early to drive us to Honolulu. I think we were all keyed up. Art had his clothes ready; racing bib pinned to his shirt and racing chip tied to his shoe so we'd be able to monitor his progress on line.


My mom was up early also to say good-bye to her favorite son-in-law. It was about 4:15 AM.


Dennis and I dropped Art off to walk a distance to the starting point. We then waited for the race to start at 5:00. It looked deserted. I wondered if we were at the right place.


Then came the wheelchair racers flanked by bicycle chaperons to insure safety.


The elite (fastest) runners went by in a jiffy and then the 23,000 other runners either ran or walked by us as we clapped for them.


Do you have any idea how long it takes for 23,000 people to run or walk by you? A long time. I started looking around at the Christmas decorations across the street.


And then... good grief! There he was! Dennis and I were barely prepared to snap Art's photo.


We followed the long procession on Kalaniana'ole Highway as the sun began to rise.

It was about 7:45 when we parked in a shopping mall not yet open at the 14 mile mark. The runners run past toward Hawaii Kai, make a loop and come back this way. We waited and waited until we realized that we must have missed him. Can't imagine how. If he's in another race, I'm going to sew a giant peacock feather on his cap.

A tiger costume would have helped us pick him out. I imagine it would be TOO hot for that.


This fellow was the only guy running in a SUIT!


How would Art look with bunny ears?


We finally gave up and went across the street and waited there. And suddenly, there he was! I could breathe again. We'd seen an ambulance parked along the street helping a runner. It was unnerving.

Dennis thought he looked awfully good since this was now the 19 mile mark for him. OK, I thought. This is respectable. He can stop and rest. But no... he kept right on going...

...right past the First Aid Station. He did learn the routine of drinking the Gatorade that was offered.... then the water.... then to sponge water on himself. The road was strewn with cups and sponges.


Dennis and I drove about a half mile down the road to Wailupe, parked and walked across the street and before we even managed to point our cameras straight, there Art was still looking OK. He told us later that this is when he felt strength ebbing. It was about the 20 mile mark.

Dennis and I then went off to find a computer to see where Art was. We found he was still doing well so we went to the Finish Line area. And THERE he was going across! I could hardly believe it!

Every runner received a shell lei as they crossed the finish shelter.

He looked mighty happy.


We walked to the booth to pick up his Finisher t-shirt.


Phew!

We'd parked a distance away so Art had to add another mile or so (to the 26.2 miles he'd already run) to walk to the car.


As we were walking to the car, Tif and Jon called to congratulate their dad from Illinois and New Mexico. They had been following his progress on line.

Art says throughout the run he thought about all the kind and beautiful messages all our blogging family had sent from around the world to wish him safety and success on this race. He said there was a lot of time to think so everybody's messages kept him focused to doing the best he could. We would like to thank you all for your support and love!

Art's Marathon time is 5:41:54!

Yae!

Checking Out the Marathon Route

My brother, Dennis came by today to help us figure out the Honolulu Marathon route for tomorrow.

We drove to Honolulu where we saw a lot of Christmas displays with a Hawaiian theme. Note: Santa doing the shaka greeting sign. Mrs. Claus is wearing a muumuu.

We knew we were getting close when we started seeing the Marathon signs. This is Kapiolani Park where the race will end.

Some of the course is flat which is good.

I hope he's able to finish the race before the sun goes too high because it can get awfully hot.

We passed the Diamond Head Theatre where White Christmas is playing. White? Not in Hawaii, I'm afraid. Art won't be passing here. We were just lost. I'm sure he won't get lost tomorrow since he'll just follow the long line of runners ahead of him.

There were several places with toilets. I hope it's enough.

We're in Hawaii Kai now. Signs were posted everywhere to tell people not to park on the roadside.

That's Koko Head Crater in the distance. Thanks heaven they won't have to run up that steep slope.
More toilets... let's remember these.

Hawaii Kai looked very pretty. This is a pricey area. No, we sure don't live there. I know somebody that does though.

Back toward Waikiki under the Kalanianaole viaduct

Driving through the very exclusive Kahala neighborhood. I don't know anybody who lives there.... but I know somebody who knows somebody who does. (Yes, I really did take all these photos by sticking my camera out of a moving car.)

More toilets! Let's remember these, too!


Yae! The home stretch down Diamond Head Road to finish the race at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki.

I thought 26.2 miles was rather a long drive but to run it?
Sheesh!

I'll have to get up at 3:30 tomorrow morning (Art will get up earlier) to be ready by 4:15 when Dennis will come to pick us up. The race will start at 5:00 AM.

I think this all started with a challenge to our son, Jon. Art told him that he would run 6 miles in 60 minutes when he turned 60 years old. So Jon... and I know you're reading this. Dad wants you to do the Marathon when you're 65, too! You don't have to finish, but you have to try.

Sheesh!