Lele Kawa
Leap of Faith. This blog is to give us an outlet to share our stories, photos and videos of various adventures. I am hoping that you enjoy our stories because we enjoyed experiencing them. I also hope that maybe you will find inspiration to go on your own leaps of faith. For more things Lele Kawa head to lelekawa.net or http://www.cafepress.com/lelekawaigp/7874054
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Honolulu Marathon 2024, with no training
Warning: Don't try this at home (or maybe do)
I generally do not like running, but I have always been pretty good at it. I am also a habitual under trainer. I have run 3 miles (5k) a bunch but rarely further, especially in the last 15 years. I have never paid for a race.
Last year I broke my ankle at the end of September, 2 months later I volunteered at the 1st water station of the Honolulu Marathon. The water station was fun, thanks to Hawaii Lacrosse Club, and the Marathon looked kinda fun. Some of my coworkers were running it and after the water station shut down I went to the finish line to support my coworkers. At the end of December I registered the day it opened, before any of my coworkers, thinking maybe this motivate me to run and speed my ankle recovery. Also registering early got me the cheapest price and an extra free T shirt. I also bought a nice running vest.
In January one of my coworkers mentioned he planned to run 100 miles every month this year, I replied I plan to run under 100 miles this year. He replied with "didn't you just sign up for a marathon?" We both seemed to think the other was crazy. Only one of us succeeded in their resolution.
By late January I was able to run again without too much ankle pain, and I ran a half mile twice (1 mile ran). I also started to play some ultimate frisbee and Lacrosse but don't count that running. In April I did my first longer run at 3 miles, and another 3 in May (7 miles).
July I ran another half mile (7.5). I planned to ease into running over the summer, but didn't run a single mile. In the fall my focus was the annual Lacrosse tournament, so I continued to put up zero miles. After the tournament I needed to recover and put in zero miles.
November came and one month to the Marathon. I ran 2 miles and a single mile (10.5). At this point I felt like running would likely be more harm than good in my marathon prep.
The good thing about the Honolulu Marathon is that there is no time limit. You are welcome to walk. As usual I am under trained, but still well under my 100 mile year cap. I have done some hiking this year but nothing over 6 miles. Still, I am pretty confident I can cover the 26.2 miles but nothing idea how fast. I have some plan, run slow the first 6-7 miles, walk up the hill, run down the hills, walk to the mile 17 then maybe try running again.
The day before the race arrives. Because I haven't trained at all, I don't know what shoes to wear. I think at the distance more cushion will be better, but I have never ran in my Hokas, but the shoes I've done all my runs in for the last 3 years are pretty worn out and not much cushion left. I also don't know what shorts or shirt to wear, and I don't own running socks. I take the tags off my running vest, which had sat unused for a year, and fill it with water, energy chews, gummy bears, gum, socks, body glide and spare earbuds. I charge up my two aging smart watches, hoping that thier batteries can still survive the 26.2 miles (one did not).
Sunday morning, race day, I didn't sleep nearly enough. Woke up before 1 am to final prep and get down to the start for the 5am race. By 3:15 I am at the start and the crowd is building. I find a place in the start area, that was back way too far, for my planned run at the beginning. It takes 25 minutes to reach the starting line. The zig zag around the walkers adds extra distance to my first few miles, and requires me to run faster than I want. Since I have water in my vest I skip the mess of the first few water stops, other than kissing my wife and saying hi to my Lacrosse Club at water station one. I am feeling good and make it to mile 7 running. Longer than I have ran in years, and still feeling good but know there is a long race ahead. I transition to speed walk, keeping about a 14min/mile pace, and break open the first pack of energy chews. Make it up the hill and run down. Stopped to use the bathroom and get gator aid from the aid station at the bottom of the first hill. Get back into a slow run and reach the highway. Closing in on 13 miles, my first half marathon I mostly run with some speed walking 2 hours and 38 minutes. If I was better trained a sub 5 might still be possible, but I know I've been going too fast this far. I commit to walking the next 4 miles, and then see if I can still run. I mostly can't and run only to pass slower walkers. By mile 22 I can't even run to pass any more. Mile 24 starts the hill up and I chug along a little slower than before. I reach the down hill and my legs are too stiff even to run down hill. We reach the park and the finish line is in sight, most of the people around me start to run in a final push. I keep walking, until the last 100 meters I run for the finish line camera and almost regret it as I can feel my calves are about to cramp. 6 hour and 10 minutes after I crossed the start line I have completed my first and maybe last marathon (36.7 miles), and without any injuries or even cramps.
I get my medal, t shirt, banana and malasada, then find a place to lay down in the shade. I remained there for about an hour drinking, eating and wanting to cool off. It was too hot and humid, cooling off didn't really work, if my legs still worked I could have crossed the street and jumped in the ocean. Headed home for more water a long cool shower and a nap. Woke up feeling even hotter and stiffer, turns out my AC stopped working. Fixed the AC and took in more fluids.
All in all I had a good marathon experience. I have no regrets about under training, but it may not be right for everyone.
https://strava.app.link/JSMMJakLdPb
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Mountain-biking Skyline Trail, Big Bear, CA
During my week of camping at Big Bear, I was able to take advantage of the new Skyline Trail. This trail is amazing. The trail crew did a great job, the whole trail has great flow. Most of the trail is along the ridge with great views of the Santa Anna River Valley.
One of the best parts the trail is the variety of terrain. On one end you are climbing through pine forest, then riding the ridge, before dipping into a bowl of berms, and where I turned around the trail was high desert scrub and weaved through large boulders.
I encountered as many animals as people. At one part I was chasing a group of deer down the trail. The few people I did see, mostly hikers, near the view points were all very friendly.
-James
One of the best parts the trail is the variety of terrain. On one end you are climbing through pine forest, then riding the ridge, before dipping into a bowl of berms, and where I turned around the trail was high desert scrub and weaved through large boulders.
I encountered as many animals as people. At one part I was chasing a group of deer down the trail. The few people I did see, mostly hikers, near the view points were all very friendly.
-James
Labels:
big bear,
Mountain Bike,
mtb
Location:
San Bernardino County, CA, USA
Summer Bike at Snow Summit, Big Bear, CA
My summer trip to Big Bear wouldn't be complete without hitting the Snow Summit Mountain Bike park.
I started the day riding alone and just getting a feel for the trails. I was still riding my XC bike and did not have much desire to hit the jumps or push the limits of my abilities. "Going Green", the easy trail was not open, so I headed to Westridge and rode most of the branches of that trail. Most of the obstacles had bypasses so the jumps could be skipped.
My bike seemed to handle these trails well. After Lunch, I joined up with two other bikers who had spent the summer up at Big Bear. Because now we had a group, we were able to get the below follow video.
My confidence began to exceed my abilities and I ended up "supermanning" over one of the larger table tops, landing right on my chest mounted GoPro.
Overall, It was a great day of biking. Next time I hit a mountain bike park, I will take a downhill bike and wear my armor. My XC bike did ok on the trails but it does not have the same performance that more suspension would offer.
I started the day riding alone and just getting a feel for the trails. I was still riding my XC bike and did not have much desire to hit the jumps or push the limits of my abilities. "Going Green", the easy trail was not open, so I headed to Westridge and rode most of the branches of that trail. Most of the obstacles had bypasses so the jumps could be skipped.
My bike seemed to handle these trails well. After Lunch, I joined up with two other bikers who had spent the summer up at Big Bear. Because now we had a group, we were able to get the below follow video.
My confidence began to exceed my abilities and I ended up "supermanning" over one of the larger table tops, landing right on my chest mounted GoPro.
Overall, It was a great day of biking. Next time I hit a mountain bike park, I will take a downhill bike and wear my armor. My XC bike did ok on the trails but it does not have the same performance that more suspension would offer.
-James
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Burundi's German Cliffs
One of Burundi's limited Tourism attractions are the German Cliffs or Failles Des Allemands. These cliffs are formed by a riff valley that cuts south through the plateau towards Tanzania. What is most impressive about the cliffs are how shear vertical side, resulting in a beautiful near vertical waterfall, reminiscent of Yosemite.
Beautiful waterfall, around 300 feet tall.
Panoramic view of the valley
The Park Ranger leads you through three viewpoints along the West edge of the rift valley. The first one with has the waterfall is the most spectacular, with its waterfall and view all the way down the valley. The middle view point is also good because it lets you see the spur that you see from the first view point.
Unfortunately because of the distance from Bujumbura, and because we were only doing a day trip, there was not a lot of opportunity to explore. I would have liked to wander around more, beyond the three view points that our guide took us through.
Labels:
Africa,
Burundi,
Cliff,
Failles Des Allemands,
German Cliff,
Tourism
Location:
Kirotsa, Burundi
Burundi's Chutes de la Karera
One of Burundi's few tourism locations are the Chutes de la Karera or Karera Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the same part of Burundi as the German Cliffs, this park is under better control.
A tourism fee of aprox $12 was collected at the gate before we could drive to the parking area. From the parking lot you get an immediate view of the largest (widest) of the collection of waterfalls in the area. On the guided tour we started by hiking a trial that takes you down stream to the lower falls. If you cross the the base of the falls you get to feel the wind caused by the falling water and spray.
From there we were guided back along the trail up to the top of this lower falls. This provides one of the best views of the trip.
After a quick stop back at the parking lot, then we moved up stream along the creek to a smallest falls. It seemed like the low slope of slick rock might make a good natural waterslide with higher water levels, as long as you could stop prior to the falls.
From there you travel north along the rim of the falls to another falls on a different stream.
As a late bonus we spotted a few wild monkeys crossing the road as we drove out.
A tourism fee of aprox $12 was collected at the gate before we could drive to the parking area. From the parking lot you get an immediate view of the largest (widest) of the collection of waterfalls in the area. On the guided tour we started by hiking a trial that takes you down stream to the lower falls. If you cross the the base of the falls you get to feel the wind caused by the falling water and spray.
From there we were guided back along the trail up to the top of this lower falls. This provides one of the best views of the trip.
View of the Main falls, nearest the parking lot
After a quick stop back at the parking lot, then we moved up stream along the creek to a smallest falls. It seemed like the low slope of slick rock might make a good natural waterslide with higher water levels, as long as you could stop prior to the falls.
View of back up the stairs from the lower falls
The view approaching the lower falls.
From there you travel north along the rim of the falls to another falls on a different stream.
As a late bonus we spotted a few wild monkeys crossing the road as we drove out.
View of the two upper falls among the trees from the upper plateu
Location:
East Africa
Friday, July 1, 2016
Kayaking Big Bear Lake
I have been to Big Bear a handful of times now, but this is first time I have every spent any time on the lake itself. This was also a good chance to see just how low the lakes water level was.
I got on the lake in town and decided to head east over to the dam. The wind was in my face so I hugged the shoreline and checked out a few of the harbors along the way. I was curious to see the effects of the low water on Big Bear Lake Cable Wake Park, because every time I go to Big Bear this is one of the things I want to do that never seems to work out.
The next place I went to was China Islands, where I did some cliff jumping last summer. I debated jumping again but decided against it, based on the lower water levels and because there was nobody else there. At China Islands I was pretty much at the dam, so I went the rest of the way. From the dam I headed back through the straitest route, strait through the middle of the lake. This was pretty easy with the wind at my back.
I got on the lake in town and decided to head east over to the dam. The wind was in my face so I hugged the shoreline and checked out a few of the harbors along the way. I was curious to see the effects of the low water on Big Bear Lake Cable Wake Park, because every time I go to Big Bear this is one of the things I want to do that never seems to work out.
The next place I went to was China Islands, where I did some cliff jumping last summer. I debated jumping again but decided against it, based on the lower water levels and because there was nobody else there. At China Islands I was pretty much at the dam, so I went the rest of the way. From the dam I headed back through the straitest route, strait through the middle of the lake. This was pretty easy with the wind at my back.
-James
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