HALLOWEEN IN KONA

Yay! It's Halloween. Here are a few daytime photos of our decorations. Once it gets dark in a couple of hours I'll take some lighted photos. Trick or treat!

Some nighttime shots are posted at the bottom of this post.

MY OWN PERSONAL MARATHON

"There are as many reasons for running as there are days in the year, years in my life. But mostly I run because I am an animal and a child, an artist and a saint. So, too, are you. Find your own play, your own self-renewing compulsion, and you will become the person you are meant to be." ~George Sheehan

The other day while I was running down Alii Drive feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't run in the Honolulu Marathon in December, I came up with a great idea. Why not hold my own personal marathon? I can't make it over to Oahu on December 13 but I can still run a marathon right here in Kona on that day.

So I came up with a plan: I'll run the Ironman marathon course on the same day (Sunday, Dec. 13) and at the same time (start time: 5 a.m.) as the Honolulu marathon.

"A runner runs against himself, against the best that's in him. ... That's the way to be great, running against yourself. Against all the rotten mess in the world. Against God, if you’re good enough." From the book "The Games"

So I'm going to run a marathon against myself. I did something similar last June during the Kona marathon. I wanted to run the half marathon but I also wanted to walk with Rebecca while she did the 5K race in her wheelchair. So I ran the half marathon the day before the real race and compared my time with the race finishers to see where I would have placed.

I don't know how the Ironman marathon course compares to the Honolulu marathon course but that doesn't really matter. I'm just going to go out and try to get the best time I can and hopefully beat my Ironman time. Karen volunteered to be a traveling aid station and Kona boy Sam may be joining me for the race. A two-man marathon!!! woo hoo! Anyone is welcome to come down to the pier on Dec. 13 at 5 in the morning and run their own personal marathon as well.

So if you happen to be in town Sunday, December 13, between 5 and 9 or so in the morning and see a runner or two followed by a moped give us a shout. Take care.

OCTOBER IS MOSTLY TREATS

I love October. 

Our two daughters were both born in October. The World Series is in October. Apple Day is October 21. Did you eat an apple last Wednesday? And of course one of my favorite days, Halloween, is in October. Something new on my list of why I love October has to be the Ironman World Championship. It made October that much more special to me. 

The one dark spot this month was saying good-bye to Daniel as he heads off to the war in Afghanistan. As tempted as I am to write down all my thoughts and fears about that I'll just leave it alone for now. But honestly, I'm utter speechless about it and wouldn't know where to begin anyhow.

OK, back to October. I loved Halloween when I was a kid and still do. I'd love to be able to go trick or treating again. We always decorate our house and sit outside and watch all the trick or treaters. I love seeing all the kids and their parents as they walk up to get their treats and hear their reactions. 

Here's a few jokes to get you in the mood for next Saturday.

Do witches stay home on weekends?
No. They go away for a spell

How do you make a witch scratch?
Take away her "W"

When a witch lands, where does she park?
In a broom closet.

What happens to a fast witch on a slow broom?
She flies off the handle.

What happens when a flying witch breaks the sound barrier?
You hear the broom boom.

What happened to the witch who hooked her broom to a space shuttle?
She got spaced out

Which story do all little witches love to hear at bedtime?
"Ghoul Deluxe and the Three Scares."

How does a witch tell time?
She looks at her witch watch.

Why don't witches like to ride their brooms when they're angry?
They're afraid of flying off the handle!

What do witches use on their hair?
Scare spray

Why did the witches' team lose the baseball game?
Their bats flew away

What would you find on a haunted beach?
A sand witch.

What did the bat say to the witch's hat?
You go on ahead. I'll hang around for a while.

What does the Coven's softball team do on Halloween?
They practice pitchcraft.

What is a witch's favorite subject in school?
Spelling!

RUNNING WITH NO WORRIES

Yesterday I went for a run. My first run since Ironman a couple of weeks ago. I've been looking forward to that run for a few months. Runniing free: no watch, no heart rate monitor, no pace or time requirements. Just me, my music and a camera.

When I was training I envied people I saw out running just for the fun of it. No worrying about getting injured or if their pace was too fast or too slow. Just running to run. Well, yesterday was my turn. I ran fast when I felt like it and slow when I felt like it. And I stopped often to take pictures. No worries! Just havin' fun in Hawaii ...

No matter how many times I've been on Alii Drive, I always see something new. I've never noticed this little sign or the sea wall located near the Ironman swim turnaround.
This fish mailbox is near one of the Peaman race turnaround points. I thinkit is the 3 mile race turnaround.

Flowers on the run.

Flowers not on the run. They are always blooming in Hawaii.

Shave Ice at the Alii Gardens Marketplace.



Papaya growing wild on the side of Alii Drive.



Hualalai behind clouds and vog.

ET on Alii

My favorite drinking fountain on Alii. The Jesus Fountain.

The Rock!

Local artist Bill Spence. If you want a portrait painted, he's your artist.


Our seawall.

Maybe I should start a new business - Randy's Running Photos Tours. Ha! If you've seen "Yes Man" you'll know what that is. Hmm! sounds fun.

THE NEW IRON ME

Just like getting married and having children, Ironman was a life-changing event for me. The full effects are still hidden from me but I feel differently and I think differently than I did before Ironman.

There's a saying around Ironman: "Anything is possible!" And it is. I have attained a goal that two years ago was an impossibility for me. Since I've completed Ironman I feel as if I can do whatever I set my mind to.

You probably know my story: Two years ago I couldn't swim, couldn't run a mile without walking but I fantasized about participating in the Ironman World Championship. An event where everyone who participates in it has to qualify for. You can't just pay your money and enter. You have to earn your way there and two years ago that was impossible for me.

Although back then my only goal was to compete in an Olympic-distance triathlon, (just under a mile swim, just under 25 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run.) I spent every day working on my weaknesses. I learned to swim - not fast but I learned enough not to drown. I also learned to run at least 6 miles without walking - much. I did everything I could do to overcome the things I had control over. I had to let those things go that I couldn't control and focus on those I could.

Step by step I accomplished my goals and created new goals - longer triathlons and faster times until I actually qualified for the world championship. Of course I kept my goals realistic. I knew that I wouldn't win my age group in most triathlons so I focused on just getting the best time I could for the shape I was in. All of that led to completing my first Ironman.

Now there's a new me in town. Iron Me. A person who knows anything is possible. Who, even at my age, knows there are new undiscovered adventures in life and I'm searching for them.

The new Iron Me includes my new Ironman tat. I'm still trying to decide which hurt more; doing Ironman or getting the tattoo. Yeah, I know, branding my body with a corporate symbol is selling out to the man, but I figure this brand means more to me than just a corporate symbol.

To me this tat represents the day I conquered fear and came face-to-face with who I really am. The day I fought a few inner demons for 12 hours and 42 minutes and won. It represents the day I swam 2.4 miles, biked 112 miles then ran a marathon. The day I became an Ironman. It was a good day.

Can you hear it? Life is calling.

FUN IN THE SUN - MY LAST DAY OF VACATION

How I spent the last day of my vacation ...



Today Karen, Aaron, Rebecca and I joined my Masters swim group for a day on the ocean on a boat called The Big Kahuna. Thanks to coach Steve who organized the outing. It was a day filled with family, friends and food. Dolphins, flying fish and snorkeling. Here's a few photos from our trip. There are more on my Facebook page here.

Unfortunately, it's my last day of vacation. Tomorrow I'm back in the grind. No more lazy days.