Allright...alright. Kept waitting to upload my pics before posting, but I'm in cell phone data purgatory and after days of trying have given up on uploads until I can find at least 3G coverage. I got a few to partiallly load, you'll see below.
Been on Kauai with the fam for a little over a week and have had some incrediable runs once again. A week ago Friday I repeated the 22 mile Kalalau Trail. Confirmed once again 22 miles can't get much more difficult to run than that trail. My Garmin recorded 12,000 ft of climb for the round trip, same as last time. I thought there was no way, but after some online research...maybe it is. According the the H.U.R.T. blog they measured it as that much too. It doesn't come in the form of big climbs, just lots and lots of 200-800 footers over and over and over again.
The first 2 miles of trail, the part all the tourists do, is rough, but the trail is wide and easy to pick around the worst parts. After leaving Hanakapai Beach the nature of the trail changes dramtically to very rough footing, narrow, over-grown trail, lots of up and down, and significant consequences if you're not paying attention. Add to that 75-80 degree temps and lots of humidity, and no wind and its a tough, tough outing. 5:40 RT, not including a few minutes at the waterfall on Kalalau Beach. Within minutes of my time last year, and, regardless of fitness, I don't think I could run it much faster without taking signifigant risks to life and limb.
Tuesday of this week was one of those all to rare days I wish I could live over once a month or so. To satrt off, I left early to run a loop I've never been on in Kokee State Park. The trail starts at an elveation of 3500 ft and is an 11 mile loop from car to car that includes several undescribably beautiful overlooks of the Napali Coast, running along steep, narrow ridges with multiple thousands of foot drops into lush, green canyons on both sides, and gorgeous forested single track. Great run, not in a hurry, took my time and enjoyed the whole thing. Didn't see a soul for 10 miles, passed a few right before the car. Injury acted up abit on this one, Hip and ITB ok, but the inner-quad, groin is still touchy....getting there though.
(Pic of one of the views along this morning's run. Looking East down the Napali Coast and the area the Kalalau Trail traverses. No roads or hotel/resorts on that part of the island)
Post run I spent and a few hours playing with the kids at the pool and then paddled out to a surf break that has always intimidated me everytime we come here. It's a rocky, shallow point break with a reefy/rocky section inside. Basically you make the wave, go right or left or get pummeled, pushed inside and washed into the rocks. (ok maybe a little dramatic, but possible none the less) I have paddled out there before, but usually just sit outside on the shoulder and let waves go by, nervous about pulling into a wave and somewhat intimidated by the local presence.
This time was different. I felt confident and strong and paddled for peaks and caught waves smoothly and in control. It was a total break through session. Surfing is by far, absolutely with out a doubt the hardest thing I have ever tried, and I have along way to go before I would call myself a surfer, but it felt good to have all the little things I've learned along the way come together at the right time and place. Perfect shoulder high glassy rights at sunset with whales breeching in the distance and a couple of turtles cruising around just outside the break. Un-freaking-believable. Out for a nice dinner and ice cream with the fam after. Bottle that one up for another day, because they just dont get better.
(The surf break from above a few minutes after I paddeled in.)
Yesterday was surfing some big, steep and fast closeouts at Hanalei Bay on the North Shore. Scary! But I nailed a couple and almost got drowned by a couple others.
Today, a very enjoyble exploratory run along the coast from Shipwrecks Beach in Poipu. 7 miles or so along a rough and secenic trail with a mix of smooth dirt, sand, deathly rough lava rock and a mile or two along the beach where I was almost mauled by a Monk Seal, not kidding. Gorgeous! Took easy, leg felt 85%.
Oh, and one 6.5 mile road run that seemed to bother my leg more than any of the others. Kept it comfortably under an 8 minute pace. First time running on the road on purpose in over 2 years. Uninspiring for me, even in paradise.
One more week of island living...... | 