H.U.R.T. Hawaii

Trail Access and Trail Running

Aloha Runners,

Tonight I had the opportunity to speak briefly to a group of runners at NikeTown about trail running. I know Don and few others have spoken to this group as well. One question that came up was trail access and how to find trailheads. At a presentation like this, that is a tough question to answer. I recommended picking up a hiking book that describes Oahu trails and told the group that I would also post something here.

Na Ala Hele has a great site for just this thing. Click here and have fun exploring Hawaii's trails.

Aloha, Bob

Thanks Guys and Gals !

Aloha to all my friends !

Thanks to all my wonderful friends who showed-up last Saturday with a surprise belated birthday get-together. I'm almost certain that Cheryl was responsible, but everyone did a great job of keeping it a secret. It was very special, and I want to sincerely thank everyone who took time out to be there...to bring food, and to bring gifts. I'm a very lucky man to have so many wonderful friends. It will be something that I will always cherish. Thank you all !  Don

Aid Station Prep

The past two Sunday's I've been shopping at Costco and a few other stores. Normally the Sunday before the H.U.R.T. 100, I might spend some time getting my drop bags ready and just taking it easy. Preparing my own things for the race was always pretty easy. Especially after having done it several times before.

This year is different though. I am not preparing my own drop bags but instead I am preparing an aid station. In anticipation of close to 100 runners starting the race, I need to have food, drink, and other supplies ready for these runners, most of whom I have never met before. The other aid station leaders or captains are very experienced. They got this all down to a science after many years. Me, I am just trying to make it all happen. Fortunately, I've got a great partner in my wife Barbi. She has way more experience and knowledge of what actually goes on at an aid station than I do. I am relying on her a lot.

We've also recruited some great volunteers. I look forward to having their energy and support at the aid station and realize there is no way we could do it without them. A few weeks ago, I was not sure we could pull this off even though we had agreed to do it. Now, as the plans have come together, volunteers have stepped up, and we've sourced much of our supplies, I am much more confidant in the success of our aid station.

I went by Nuuanu/Jackass Ginger this afternoon. There were a few hikers out as cars were parked along the road. However the space where the tents will go up, where the drop bags will be, the stream crossing, and everything else was empty, exactly how it will be one week from right now. However starting next Saturday morning--bright and early and continuing all the way through until late Sunday afternoon, the Nuuanu/Jackass Ginger aid station will be rockin!!! We look forward to seeing all the runners as you come through our aid station and we send you on your way, back to the Nature Center.

Aloha, Bob

Check this out-Xterra gets into Trail Running

Inaugural XTERRA Trail Running World Championship Debuts in 2008

Check this out for a year from now at Kualoa Ranch. Click here.

Shock and Awe

I was listening to NPR yesterday and they were talking about this 8 year old girl who ran 2,212 miles in 55 days (about 40 miles a day).  You can read (or listen) to the story here.  I thought a lot of people here might find the story interesting, but I hope it doesn't upset anyone too much.

Rob

H.U.R.T. Trail Series Shirts--Only $20

At Saturday's Kaena Point Firecracker 10 Mile Race, we will have great looking Patagonia silk-weight Capilene shirts for sale for the H.U.R.T. Trail Series. These are great training shirts and are very cool just to wear around. If you want one, bring $20 to the race on Saturday.

Glad I didn't run into this today!

H.U.R.T. runners have been known to have an affinity for our local pigs.

Maybe some of you saw the recent news reports. A HUGE pig was recently killed by hunters in Alabama. The pig weighed in at 1051 lbs. I hope I never run into a pig this big or even half that size. Though I am sure Gordon will be dreaming of a big pig like this.

Oh, by the way, the hunter was an 11-year old boy who shot the pig eight times with a .50 cal.-revolver while hunting with his dad. Click here if you want to read the full story.

Mahalo Maunawili

There was quite a crowd gathered at the Pali Lookout early this morning for the run to Waimanalo (and back for some) on the Maunawili trail. We probably had 12 to 15 runners, a good mix of veteran and newer trail runners. Cheryl kept everyone reigned in early on until the stairs just about the hairpin turn. At that point, the rabbits took off while some of us choose to go at a more relaxed pace.

It was very evident that Aaron and/or his crew from Na Ala Hele have been out on the trails. At least that is who I am giving credit to. There were downed trees that had been down for years, cleared--gone, chain-sawed out. They also cleared some of the more recent trees too. Thanks guys!

I sometimes refer to obstacles such as trees on the trail as speed bumps. Well, based on what I saw today, all the speed bumps have been removed.

Don't forget, you can go train on Sunday up at Peacock too!

Weekend Summary

There were lots of things to choose from this past weekend. Paul has already posted a great report on the Friday night run. Thanks Paul. Sounds like you had a fun evening out there. Sure sounds like it was dry! And what is this I hear about Starbucks?? Check out all the comments related to this run.

Saturday's group sounds like they had a blast on the Halawa Ridge Trail. I received this from Gordon:
"Our small group of runners had a awesome time on Sat.. The weather and views were perfect. We had Cheryl , Pete M., Steve. , Jim , Larry and Josef show up.  The latter four did an awesome job by doing about a four hour out and back. Terrific! The trail is still in excellent condition. I think Josef took a lot of pics he will post. I didn't make it all the way to the summit because I elected to do some trail clearing along the way but plan to do another trip there to get some pics of a rare lehua blossom at the summit. Hope we can do it again and have more runners/hikers share the experience. Oh , Larry and I did the nite HURT loop Friday also and Larry looked strong on Sat. despite sleep deprivation........Aloha.....Gordon..."

Cheryl had this to say: It was an amazing day out there...and even better with some old friends join us.
We took it easy coming back,,,I did not want to get off the trail,,,it's just so special up there....
I am so grateful to all the folks who worked so hard to trim that trail.
Hopefully we can do this again real soon!!

Finally, you will probably be able to read more at Don's blog, www.missionpossible-badwater.com site, however I heard this from Cheryl: "I went out on the road about 6pm, and found the boys coming thru Waimanalo. I gave them some chips, coffee,,,and red bull,,,,they looked FANTASTIC!!!"

Wow, hard can 50+ miles be when you get aid like that!!! Just kidding guys.

Oh, one last thing, I received this from Brian Wilson. He wanted everyone to know.
"Just wanted to let you and all my HURT friends know that my wife Diane and I are expecting a new trail runner some time in November. See you out there in the hills." Brian Wilson

Congratulations to Brian and Diane!!

Me, I did a lonely 10 miles on the road Sat. a.m. -Ugh! Aloha, Bob

Dangerous dog alert

I had the misfortune of being attacked by a dog this morning on Moleka trail. The dog (young, moderate sized, black with white markings on face) was accompanied by a middle aged woman (who had it on a leash but made no attempt to restrain it) and another more mature dog (brown/black) that joined the fray but did not attack. Watch out.

Nick