In my perfect world everything could be tracked in a spreadsheet or a 3 ring, tabbed out binder. Yes, I'm an organization freak. Prior to departing for a race (any race) I prepare a trip folder that contains my flight information, rental car information, hotel information, mapquest directions from the airport to the hotel, hotel to expo, hotel to start line, finish line to hotel, hotel to any points of interest I plan to visit, and return for each of those (even though I always travel with my GPS), as well as course maps, packet pickup instructions, packet pickup waiver, parking info, and any race day info. Given that the Maui trip/race was tying into the Tinkerbell race I prepared two trip folders, one for Maui and one for California. It's a good thing that California was tagged onto the end, otherwise I may have been more stressed about the lack on info for the Maui folder...there just wasn't much info to be had about the race! It was a bit of a stress point for me, but I figured things would be explained well upon arrival and the race organizer had by far been the best about updates so far, so I was sure it would all work out.
We got to Maui late on Friday night after a long day of flights with a connection in Atlanta and again in LA...by the time we rolled up to the hotel at nearly 11PM local time I was flat exhausted and sick of sitting in planes and cars. We checked in and headed up and passed out for the night. I slept in Saturday but woke up to an amazing view.
We headed to packet pickup - a 26.2 mile drive away...yes, the hotel was at the start line for the marathon (something I was happy about when planning the trip)....but I'd somehow missed that the Half actually started at the Full's finish line and was an out and back! The hotel had a GREAT rate for race participants, so I'm not complaining, but the start/finish area seemed to be more of the center of activity so it may have saved us a bit of time to find something closer...of course the race also had a great rate with Hertz and we got a sweet little convertible so the drive wasn't so bad. :)
I quickly found more info would've made things much easier for packet pickup. We didn't mind wandering through the quaint little town looking for the Pioneer Inn across from the Banyan Tree (which was all the information we had about pick up), but many others were in the same boat and we all just seemed to be mulling about looking at store names and hoping to catch a glimpse of someone with a race tee or bib and head the direction they were coming from. It didn't take long to do just that, then bib and shirt in hand we continued to wonder through town checking out gift shops and taking in the local crafts under the banyan tree. As with any race that has a Hard Rock Cafe nearby, that was the plan for pre-race dinner, so as the day turned into evening we headed to the HRC for my typical NY strip with double mashed potatoes and a side salad, followed up with a creme brulee. (it's a wonder I can run in the morning after all of that!)
While dining I noticed the bartender with his bright blue mohawk...given the fact that we were in a HR, I immediately thought of George. Murph was nice enough to pose for a pic so I could send it to George.
After dinner I was beat so it was back to the hotel to get some sleep before the race. I'd made some mental notes throughout the day due to the lack on info on the race website and tried to mentally prep as I dozed off...mile markers count down instead of tracking your mileage like my other races, there's a VERY narrow strip on the side of the road to run and traffic will be flowing as usual just beside you...I was out.
I don' tknow if it was jet lag, the fact that I was fighting a cold, or just flat laziness, but for the first time EVER I seriously contemplated skipping the race when the alarm went off. I drug my butt out of bed, got ready, and headed out...but was not awake. We found out way to the parking lot suggested (turns out it was where we had parked the day before) but couldn't really tell where the start line was. We wondered around the open area with the other runners for a bit and I sat...in a stuper...half asleep...until just before the start time.
The course site did start there were ample fluid stations along the route, but just off of the Mississippi race that catered to the Full runners and only seeing 1 definite stop at mile 4, I was concerned there wouldn't be any others so I opted to run with a water bottle...and was quite annoyed with myself that I hadn't figured this out before leaving home and brought my hydration belt, but oh well!
The run traveled along the waterfront and was a gorgeous course. As the sun came up over the mountains I was awed my it's beauty, then immediately reminded to pick up my pace so I'd finish before it got too brutal.
It turned out there were water stops every 1 1/2 - 2 miles, however, it still didn't seem like nearly enough. It would be easy to blame the heat/humidity, but I ran Zooma Annapolis under the most extreme heat conditions I've ever dealt with and didn't have an issue. I didn't feel like the cups were very full at the stops so that may have been a factor, but I really think though I never did get sick, that I was actually fighting off a cold and it had me rather dried out. I finished my 16.9 oz water bottle before the turn around point...and that was WITH taking cups at the fluid stops as well.
I definitely suggest bringing your own hydration for this race.
I also can't stress enough that while this race is gorgeous and Maui itself is amazing, it is not a race for those that don't like to run with traffic around. The running area is very narrow, it's on the main highway, and traffic is not stopped for the race. You have to be constantly aware of your surroundings and there's often no where to go should there be an emergency (though thankfully there wasn't one!).
All in all the traffic wasn't heavy and once you pulled a few miles you got used to it. I will say the Race Director did a great job with alternating start times and start locations to be able to have as many races as he did without having major runner congestion anywhere on the course. At times it was easy to get lost in your own thoughts and the gorgeous scenery and just enjoy your morning run (despite the sweat pouring off of you).
With 3 miles to go I started struggling a bit. I'd been pretty well parched since the turn around point and despite taking water at each stop I was starting to feel the effects of dehydration. My heart rate was soaring, trying to pump enough oxygen through my body despite my decrease blood volume. I trying slowing my pace and it helped for a bit, but ultimately I knew I need major amounts of fluid and would have to really push through the last few miles. By mile 11 I knew I would have to walk some to finish but I held out as long as I could. With about a mile and a half to go I walked for 30 seconds, then picked it back up. I barely made a few strides and knew I was done...I walked until the 12 mile mark, then pushed through to bring it in.
2:27:58 is nothing to cheer about, but 22 states completed and 28 1/2s in 2 years is nothing to sneeze at either!
By far, the best part of the race was the water feature just past the finish line!
By far the worst part was whatever that NASTY stuff was they had as an electrolyte drink at the water stops! It took me a while to get used to Cytomax at the Rock N Roll races and I'm still not a major fan, but compared to this stuff it's heaven! I tried 1 sip at the first water stop and thought I was going to vomit! Definitely bring your own sports drink for this race!
With the race over we had the rest of the week to relax and enjoy Maui before heading to Southern California for the Tinkerbell half...and that we did...after the race, it was back to the hotel for a quick shower, then the afternoon on the beach with my feet up...
The next four days flew by with scuba diving
Horseback riding...
and ziplining...
I didn't do any surfing because everywhere we went was basically flat. We had been all over the western, northern, and southern sides of the island and the only waves were at the northern most point...and you had to paddle out forever from this cove down in a valley and then you had to pull off the wave before it slammed into a sheer rock mountain...not my idea of fun, so I passed. I spent plenty of time on the beach, so I enjoyed it, just didn't get any surfing in as I would've basically had to stand up paddle board or nothing.
Of course on the last day we planned to drive the road to Hana...once on the eastern side of the island, I found where the waves are!
But we had planned to do the road to Hana and knew there wasn't time to play here as well. The road to Hana was beautiful with plenty of interesting stops and gorgeous sights. I definitely recommend buying the audio CD tour and listening to it as you go...we would've missed a lot of things otherwise. Our first stop on the drive was a short hike up to a waterfall, nothing major, just a pretty little fall. The second stop was a nice hike that actually functioned as a bit of a workout...and even moreso if you ignored the signs. :)
If you take the trail to the upper picnic area you get a bit of a workout...
After going through the eucalyptus forrest...
you reach the upper picnic area...if you ignore the signs and follow the trail (it's HUGE, not like you're off roading)...
you are rewarded by coming out at the top of a gorgeous waterfall with an incredible view!
Thought I'm sure the signs are to keep idiot tourist (like me) from getting too close to the edge (like this)...
After returning to the car, as you drive around the very next corner you can pull over and walk just down a little path to the bottom of the same waterfall...if you choose to swim, be careful entering the water...the rocks are slippery and if you aren't careful you will be down on your butt...this was a near miss...I managed to catch my balance, but as you see from my hair swinging wildly, I nearly went down.
After swimming at the bottom of the fall...
We walked a little further up the path and found that the top of this fall actually leveled out to another flat area with a little stream coming down from the upper fall we'd been at earlier. Hiking along the rocks was fun and a beautiful sight, but ridiculously slippery. After just a few minutes we reached the middle pool which was fed by the fall I'd sat atop earlier. I swam out to the fall for a better picture with the underwater camera...
Having been at both the top and the bottom of this fall and seeing all of its beauty I was content and hiked back down to the car. The rest of the road to Hana was equally beautiful, but nothing compared to this little jaunt (at least for me). Though the opportunity to visit Charles Lindberg's grave was neat.
After completing the drive, we headed into town for one last dinner on Maui (the food was amazing everywhere we ate....incredible fish and veggies!), then it was back to the airport to head to California and the Tinkerbell 1/2.
I definitely recommend Maui to those working on 50 states...I've been to Oahu several times and it pales in comparison. I also recommend planning enough time on the island to really enjoy the trip and not just run the race if at all possible.
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