The first step

Aloha!

As I said in my last post, I have a grand plan of running around Oahu by my next birthday...the BIG 50.  Just in case you think I was just blowing smoke and fizzled out on another goal, I am here to tell you that I actually started.  What I'm not so good at is follow up on documenting it.  BUT I did take pictures so better late than never, yes?  Since I plan on running part of it again tomorrow I figured I'd better write this tonight.

I will say that I have been a bit busy lately.  Between working OT and running and the in-laws visiting, I've hardly had a minute to myself to just breathe, let alone blog.  All fun things (well maybe not the OT) but fun can be stressful too.

After I began my epic journey, I ran the Hapalua Half Marathon.

Not my best race but not my worst either.  I was very glad to have my family out cheering me on.

So about my journey.  I ran 5K to begin.  From home to the fountain at Kapiolani park.

It was a beautiful day and I felt really good starting out.

While this run was actually shorter than most of my easy runs (time constraints due to that pesky thing called work) I actually felt pretty reflective and relaxed.  There are so many reasons that I run and so many people that I run for.  This first 3.1 I was able to think about that and my WHY.  We all have a WHY.  The important thing is remembering what (or who) it is.

I got to the fountain and was greeting by my number 1 fans, T and B.

B never stops cheering for me and T always makes sure he is there at the finish, whether it's a training run or a race.  I couldn't do any of this without these two.

I felt great afterwards, though a bit panicked because we dawdled too long at the fountain and I was late getting ready for work.

So tomorrow, I start at the fountain for my easy 4.  I am super excited that it is a flat area.  I don't get many flat runs anymore!  I have a race coming up next month and I'm bound and determined to do better.  To stick with it.  To do this for me.

For those of you that made it this far:  thank you!  I know this is probably boring listening to my self-centered babbling but at least the pictures are pretty :)

Peace, my friends!

A Very Important Topic

HELLO!

Now that I've got your attention, it's time to talk about a VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC.  I woke up today after not really sleeping (a story for another blog post) and realized that my birthday is in less than 6 months!  And not just any birthday...

My 50th birthday!

Now, I suppose most people are bothered by turning such a monumental age as half a century but I'm actually excited about it.  I'm having the time of my life, living a life that I could only dream about a few years ago, and sharing it with someone I love.  It just doesn't get any better.

So here's what I want to talk about:  I wanted to do something monumental for my birthday to celebrate being happy in my own skin and to commemorate this milestone birthday.  Thing was, I had no idea what I wanted to do.  So what did I do?  I took to the internet and asked for suggestions.

I got several good ones that I may do along with the main one that I'll tell you about in a minute.  Here are a few of them:

1. Hang glide over a volcano (not likely, but good idea nonetheless)
2. Do 50 things that challenge me, big and little...and I am going to try to do this one along the way.
3. Give 50 blessings to others...another one I am going to try to do.  It appeals to my desire to become a better person.
4. Run 50 miles or 50K or some variation of the number 50.
5. Run a destination race...already have a couple planned, including the Marine Corps Marathon not long after my birthday.  This will also be the first time I've ever traveled alone.
6. And the one that I am definitely doing:  Circumvent Oahu.

Now I know you are thinking I am crazy, but hear me out.

I won't do it in one complete run, there is no way I can take the time off work to do so and let's face it, I am NOT an ultra-runner by any stretch of the imagination.  Maybe some day but not now.  The distance is doable if taken in chunks, like making every long run part of the journey.  I mapped it out and it comes to just over 133.5 miles...a distance I do in less than 2 months.

All that was left was to run it by my better half (see what I did there?).  I was pleasantly surprised that he didn't laugh but encouraged me.  Not that he laughs at me but to be honest, it does seem like a crazy thing to do.

I'm going to wait until after my half marathon this coming weekend to start my epic journey.  I can't wait to see the island in a new way and I'm excited about the things I will learn (hopefully) about myself.

So, come and celebrate this adventure with me!  It should be fun as long as you don't get tired of my self-centered rambling about my birthday.  If you stick around for it all, I may even share my cake with you :)