Hawai'i Part Two

Click on over to the Runner's Lounge Open Mic Friday....!!!

Super big Mahalos for all the comments on the Maui HM recap. Thanks for piling on the Aloha spirit! You all are so sweet. You make my day :)

Part Two will be non-running related, but full of activity! James and I wanted to kind of take a break from running on this trip and enjoy all the other activities we can ONLY do in Hawai'i. And let me tell you, every day was filled with activity! (and lots of photos)

let's see. First, there was THE hike: the Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail.
I've actually done this hike with James a couple of years ago. It's a beautiful hike.... but it damn nearly killed me! I was huffin' and puffin' and sweatin', and barely crawled to the top. But you know me. I love a good challenge. So I was ready to tackle it again.

just getting started

I told you it was beautiful!

The first half of the hike is pretty mellow. There are actually as many descents as climbs, as you hike past beautiful green vegetation. There's enough shade to protect you from the brutal sun, but it's still friggin hot. Sweat was gushing down from every pore on my body. At one point, I thought there was a bug crawling up my armpit. I got all freaked out, only to discover it was only a bead of sweat. I'm such a tough chick, I know.

The second half of the hike is when things get gnarly. It's steep. It's slippery. It's hot. There's plants to walk through. And then, there are the stairs. Oh, the stairs. They are brutal. Some of the steps are as tall as my waist. It's no easy task, I'm telling you.

As I was climbing, I kept telling myself "Yes, this is hard, but just keep going till the hard part. You can rest at the hard part." I kept waiting for the brutal part, the hard part, the part where I just want to cry. I kept climbing, kept waiting, till suddenly:
What....????!!!!
We were already at the top! WTF????!!!! Where'd the hard part go?
James kindly reminded me that the last time I hiked this trail, I was not yet a runner. "You mean.... all this marathon training has helped make this hike easier...???"
"Yup."
Wow. Score!!!!

The TMZ crew followed up to the top to snap our photos. We're rock stars, don't you know?

The view from the top makes the work worthwhile. It is breathtaking. Photos don't do it justice.

Alright. Let's move on to activity number two: Kayaking.

I love me some kayaking. It's like killing three birds with one stone. You get to enjoy the ocean. You get to work on your tan. You get a killer workout.

We launched our kayaks at Lanikai beach, and paddled out to the two Mokulua islands you can see in the photo below.

Lanikai beach is simply amazing. The Travel Channel even named it the most beautiful beach in Hawai'i. The pure white sand is as soft as can be. The water is a maze of different shades of blue and turquois. And there aren't that many tourists. If someone wants to buy me a house here.... I would love you forever!!!!



We paddled to the island on the right first, and then to the bigger island on the left, and made our way back to shore. Kayaking does wonders for my shoulders and core muscles, esp my obliques. I wish I lived in Hawai'i so I could kayak more often! (le sigh... one of the many reasons why I daydream of moving to the islands.... like everyday.... lol)
I was really hoping I'd see a honu, but looking at the pretty ocean was exciting enough for this old gal.

Other non-running activities included my first open water swim! On my second attempt, (in my bikini, mind you) I found out I swam a whole mile! It was broken up into two halves, but still! I had no idea I could swim that far, and in an ocean too! Granted, there were hardly ANY waves or currents at Ala Moana beach, but still! I thought I was only capable of swimming 200 meters, so a whole mile was a HUUUUUGE confidence booster :)

We also played a lot of Wii Fit. At first, I resisted playing, cause, you know, I'm a lady and video games are for little boys. But dude. That thing is fun. :)

Recapping Hawai'i stories is making me miss the islands so much. I wish I were still there, eating the delicious foods, soaking up the sun, the slow driving speeds...

Stay tuned for Part Three, which will be about running, and will feature a super exciting story!