Rising Sun Fit Blog

Monday, September 7, 2026

Kauai Marathon 2026

KAUAI MARATHON 2026.. OR NOT… OR YES unofficial!

Oh dear. Where to begin. I don’t want this to be longer than it needs to, so let’s get right to it. We knew there was a hurricane coming towards Kauai for a week. The race has been saying, “for now it is on” and that they are checking every 6 hrs with emergency, etc. Well, last night (night before race that begins at 6am—so that I would be waking up at about 3:15am for), we got the news it was cancelled. I had spent the day going up to Hanalei because I knew the storm is coming the day after the race and there is no way I am leaving Kauai without going to visit my Hanalei😊 And while I was there, I did some things, but then I also went to Hanalei Bay, and sat. I got still, got quiet, watched the (VERY STILL bay which typically has surfers, but NO surf waves at all). I laid down and closed my eyes and let my entire body get still and relaxed, grounded, and did mental prep. I came back after getting full tank of gas, getting more bananas (and wine), and went over my final race plan. Off to sunset, but first I went on Instagram for a few minutes and… to my HORROR saw that it was cancelled. I thought it was April Fools or, just nonsense. No WAY this close to race they cancel. But checked my email and there it was. Officially cancelled.

Again, I won’t go over this too much, but, it was effectively heartbreaking. I cannot tell you what a driving force, a light at the end of the tunnel of this freaking 2026 year for me so far. It kept me going. This is my happy place, my feeling of home, and running is my joy. Combining those is a thrill. Knowing the course from last year, then really working on the nitty gritty details with an open mind of curiosity: WHAT WILL THIS LEAD TO? Was such a thrill for me. I always say that training is really my joy, and that is the truth: my summer was MADE by my weekend long runs. Sure, I didn’t want to wake up on Saturdays already tired from the week, AND, it was also my JOY. The challenge, the sunrises, the wildlife, the feeling of steering my rudder in the direction I was seeking…. The full training plan was my light, I reveled in creating a plan that I thought would be the best preparation for me. I built up to 4 60 mile weeks, and Gosh. Now, that curiosity had no answer. I wouldn’t be able to run those terrible hills, haha! As hard as it was, that was the part that I really wanted to learn how to WORK better this year.

So, with 1-2 hours last night, I still did not know what I was going to do. I went to sunset in SHOCK and just was like .. not myself. I had already had my stuff out and packed (run clothes, gear, food, belt, etc etc etc) but… I didn’t know the exact plan. I had txted with a few people who I have met locally on what they were doing… and wasn’t committed to anything.

I woke up at 4:13. There was a chance of meeting a group at 5:45. When I woke up, I had a single tear sliding down the left side of my face. I am sure it was like allergies or something, but I don’t know, it reminded me of how sad I am. I made coffee and put run clothes on. I had some messages. I put on some music, and I mean, what am I going to do? Go take a walk? Go back to bed? No. I don’t even know how to do that. I don’t know how to give up I’m at least going to go for some sort of run. I knew there were a fair amount of marathoners who were doing the half- the actual half course. I didn’t really want to do that since I don’t know the roads/traffic/ I don’t know the conditions, would it be safe? So, I kinda wanted to play it safe and stay on the road that my vrbo is on and just go out and back even if it is like 13 x 1 mile out and back… who knows. I had no plan other than go run some. I wanted to give myself some grace, but also not too much and I wasn’t sure what that really looked like for this day. I took some time thinking about who I am, what I’ve prepared for, and what it means to me and I got some mojo to at least go and do whatever is available this morning. I wanted to give myself grace to not do the full if I was not feeling it, if there was any dangerous weather, or if it just was frankly miserable.

I began at 5:30, I had knuckle lights so even though it was dark, I had light to see and went 2 miles out and back and felt really great actually! The sun was beginning to rise and it was a beautiful sky- wispy lines of light. The air was already humid, but I was so fully aware that I was grateful to not be starting in the rain. Then, I was going to go on Poipu Rd- which I knew some of those doing the ½ course might be on (but also was planning to not follow and just stick with what I knew was maybe safer for me not knowing what I do not know). There were enough people there that it felt like a low key 5K community event- not crowded, but there were people in front/ behind me. I felt good still (miles 4-6) Then, I knew they were maybe going to go left to the half marathon turn and I was thinking, ok, you just go back (there were some other people going back), but when we were like 15 seconds to the turn I was like, you know there are enough people here, I think I can go and have people around and then I can at least run the tunnel of trees road!!! Ok- most of you know that I am not spontaneous, but I was like, DO IT! And, ummmm I turned left! *looking back I think this was possibly one of the BEST decisions of the day, because I Have to wonder how things would have gone had I been back and forth on and on. So, here I am on the half course (which is roads I ran for first half of marathon last year)- and this year, OMG… NOW I feel the hills- last year I think I was on cloud freaking 9 just doing this for the first time- I was in Shangri-lah and literally unaware of the hills. And today. My left hamstring hip which is my nemesis already started feeling things ughhhhh. It has been feeling so much better in the past weeks so this took me by surprise and worried me THIS EARLY. But, now I’m going, and it is uphill. I’m trying to relax my shoulders, keep it easy, but it already feels nothing like easy. My pace feels easy, but my body feels heavy and hard. This was maybe from 7-11 and I’m definitely honestly worried because this is too early to feel the effort. I kept checking in with keeping my body soft and fluid, not creating unnecessary tension. I had 2 girls in front of me for these miles maybe like 40 feet and they were twins and just running easy and smooth, and I used them to remind me to stay smooth. Things flattened out and I felt a bit better, ended up passing the twins, and still felt tired, but kept things manageable. We start to go a bit downhill as we make our way back (remember I started 4 miles earlier so the end won’t be 13 for me, it’ll be past that) and we are at mile 13 maybe and I’m like, I need a port a pot. Not desperate. But.. yea, I would have gone into one. There is no water, no port o pot, this is not a race…. Oh dear. I think maybe there will be a lone port o pot somewhere for like construction. But alas, no. I kept running easy, keeping intensity low so I don’t spike my need to GO! Long story short- there were none- I got to 17.5 which was my vrbo and now I have my plan for when I go insie:

*run in- use bathroom

*it is SUNNY and hot- I had thought it would be a morning of rain- GRAB SUNGLASSES and your ice bandana, and scoop one of the big glasses in cupboard full of ice to put outside near a shaded area for your out and backs.

*refill water bottles.

QUICK.

*I did stop my stopwatch for this stop, even though in a “real race” if I use a port o pot, I am not stopping my watch.

The problem here was: I go to the bathroom, stand up and can BARELY STAND.

MY RIGHT HIP- the one that DOES NOT BOTHER ME. Is on FIRE. I cannot walk. My eyeballs pop out. I dig my thumb in and try to take steps and just realize this actually may not happen but go, try to do the tasks. I do them while my leg is SHAKING. I just say, leave, hold the stair rail and try to amble down the stairs with the help of my entire body.

I get on the road and just try to get myself walking, while I press into the freaking hip. I do and then think, OK, see if you can just GENTLY JOG. Who CARES what pace. I do, maybe a 11-12 min pace… and I think it helps, and then things kind of smooth out. (I mentally note to try to not stop again….. and just to be careful- if it gives out and I go down, I am now alone, and this is not a supported race course).

Now we are in like 80+ sun and it is ok. I am jogging and the hip has smoothed out. There is a stretch of this road that goes out and back 2 mile each direction. There are sections, blazing sun, then some wind, and then there is some rain, it stops, back to blazing, etc. I am feeling my left calf NEAR seizing up on hills. (I realize, my right hip is probably overworking for my sorry left side). I keep taking in electrolytes, fuel and water.

Usually, I save my “Kara Goucher commentating” for the final mile (or 2). But it seemed necessary at this point: So I began mentally doing my best commentating of myself- mentally in her voice hearing her say, “Sharon is out there, because she knows she GETS to do this, this thing that she loves. She loves it because it isn’t easy, because it tests her physical and mental strength, because it shows how deep she goes into her heart and will. Step by step, she is soaking in the beauty of the mountains around her, the sound of the waves crashing.” And on and on….

And at the same time, I really am suffering quite a bit. I keep doing math, trying to at least try, because this is the stage where math becomes hard, and if math becomes hard, then I need to make sure I am taking in even more fuel and making sure I am ok. I am not fully alone out here on this stretch. It is not like the half marathon course, but there are sporadic runners, maybe like 1 every 3-6 minutes that I pass going back and forth. None of us travelled to heaven/Kauai to sleep in this morning. Every person, I take time to say, aloha, I’m so glad we are out here together. I realized that each person was making a difference to each other. On the various out and backs I passed a few people each way who we just kept smiling that knowing smile like, this is not easy, but we are doing what we came here for. As it is said, encouraging others also encouraged me. I did have to walk at one point, and I counted my steps. I was going to take 20 walk steps, but I turned it to 30 and GO. It was all I needed.

I got back to my big cup of ice and ice water that I had planted to refill- the ice was almost melted but used what was left to refill my flasks and again: when I came to a stop, my leg was like TREMBLING. I definitely was worried, but also knew I needed to just see what was possible. When I was at this vrbo/refilling station that I had created- I then had 2 miles left- 1 mile out and back. Which seems like nothing as I write this. And at the time, each step seemed questionable. I just had to trust and try and see. During this stretch, as well as so many times through the race, I channelled so many people, who I knew were out there with me, my family, my friends who I had shared my heartbreak the previous night, my training classes/athletes/groups. All the people that I’m IN LIFE WITH, and so very thankful for. I was so thankful for literally each person out there. The people who pulled me, who said a kind word, acknowledged with a knowing glance. I was so thankful for all the people who drove by beeping like crazy- everytime (ummm this was only up until like mile 15)- I would put my arms up, do the shaka sign/ hang loose and do it kinda crazy as a way to acknowledge the energy they gave me. The last, lonely 8 miles, out and back there was a woman who drove by and offered me a water bottle out of her jeep (I didn’t take, but what a generous and kind soul). GOSH, there was SO MUCH to be grateful for.

As I’m turning to my last 1 mile back, through the stages of high beating down sun heat/wind in my face and wind and I am just trying to PUSH INTO THE WIND… arghh… repeat. Step by step. More commentating- Nothing is certain- even as I turn- I have now run out of my mortal sports drink, I am sucking on a block and trying to make it last, trying to give my blood some last energy/calories to pull from, adding water to it. There is some downhill, there is some wind. I am counting steps, it is like 40 steps (one foot counting) for .05, so I just take it 40 steps at a time. People are parking on the side to surf their last waves, and I cannot even look up to acknowledge cars or people. I am passing all the landmarks on this road that I have now come to memorize. I am down to .3 miles, and it still feels questionable. .2 I think I know I’ll get there. When my watch hits 26.2, I am alone, in the lovely sunny heat and put my arms up all by myself. I won. I won. I won. I did 26.2. That is winning. I did it. I did everything I asked myself to do this summer, and this morning.

Overall, this morning was hard, my body did not really seem at its best, but I got in what I wanted to do. I am SO proud of myself for the training, the daily and weekly commitment, consistency and focus on what I was seeking this summer. And I am proud of taking my disappointment and making a marathon happen this morning.

I’m so thankful to all of you who support me by being in my life, Aloha.

KAUAI MARATHON 2026.. OR NOT… OR YES unofficial!

*run in- use bathroom

*refill water bottles.

QUICK.

*I did stop my stopwatch for this stop, even though in a “real race” if I use a port o pot, I am not stopping my watch.

The problem here was: I go to the bathroom, stand up and can BARELY STAND.

I’m so thankful to all of you who support me by being in my life, Aloha.

(thanks michelle for this!):)

Monday, August 31, 2026

ANNAPOLIS 10 MILER 2026

ANNAPOLIS 10 Miler 2026

I ran in one of my fave annual races yesterday- A10 miler. I love this race. I’ve done it since the kids were babies and maybe before. I really would love to go see how many times I’ve done this race. I’ve had my best 10 miler time ever here- under 70 which still amazes me…. To some very humbling days through the years. I am ALWAYS more fit at the end of the summer BECAUSE of this race, because I have committed, gone out in the heat, done the heat and hill training. I will never regret doing this race yearly.

Yesterday, as was last years running of A10, was a tune up/one week out from Kauai marathon race. Maybe not ideal timing, AND ALSO pretty decent one week out training if turned into the mileage that I should do one week out. I both years have gone out for a 5-mile arm up before the race. Last year, I the race FELT much better on my body, however, since I was leaving so quickly for Kauai, I didn’t write it up, so now I am left wondering the specifics. (EXACTLY why I try to ALWAYS do a race write up). So, here goes this years:

I’ve been training 60 mile weeks for the last 4 weeks (until last week when I dropped to 50). My runs have been solid and I have run hills, hills, more hills and more hills. I’m very proud of my summer training and have felt positive about where my run fitness and strength is. I think this led me to believe that A10 would “feel” better yesterday. It really didn’t.

It was supposed to be like 96-97% humidity at the start (low 70s so not super hot, but yes humid). I knew this would affect paces and to be cognizant and intentional. I started approximately where I like to start and just kept it steady in first mile- I was already decently warmed from my prior running, and I felt for the first 4 miles that I was at like 7/10 effort, which was where I wanted to be. At mile 4, (of course right after a bathroom), I began having a feeling of my stomach beginning to be a little iffy/ possibly needing to go to the bathroom. As the hills were starting here, I was like, ok, take it very easy and “smooth”- and it was already drenched sweating with the humidity. So my goal was to just try to ease my stomach by not pushing the intensity. I was mentally like, keep it light until you get to the bathroom. Well, within 1 mile, my stomach was in DIRE NEED of a port o pot. I kept thinking, there HAS to be one soon, although I do remember this one on the out and back section and was thinking, wait, is there usually one before then? Long story short…… it was probably at mile 6.5 that I ended up.. embarrassingly…. Stepping into this woody embankment/behind bushes/trees and… yep. I did not make it to the port o pot.

THANKFULLY, this space was there where I was hidden, because I stepped back onto the course and whoaaaaa felt so much better. My stomach was no longer a limiter. My legs were tired, but I felt like now I could at least put forth some effort to stay strong and steady. My legs were really fatigued and I think my big thought was surprise that they were so toasted. In thinking over the past day, I realize that: I haven’t done any races in the past few months, and my training for long stuff has been a lot of “warm up 10 miles” then hill repeats. My hill repeats I’ve worked hard, but it hasn’t been a steady 10 mile EFFORT at race pace nonstop. 2^nd thought is: I have prioritized doing my long runs from 5-8am typically (up until 9am sometimes) in order to beat the hardest heat/humidity. I have had 1-3x during the week that I then have gone out IN THE hottest heat to get in heat training (so that my long runs weren’t sabotaged).

I am proud that even though I felt like it was pretty painful and hard, that I maintained PUSHING. I did NOT give up. I just continued to do all that I could, both mentally and physically. Even when I felt like it wasn’t producing what I wanted, when I felt like my legs were really heavy, I just kept doing what I could, rather than backing off. I am happy with that.

Overall, looking back, my splits were actually steadier than I thought. I got 4^th place in my age group. I was 2 minutes slower than last year (last year being maybe the only year I’ve ever had a super smooth stomach/ no porto pot stops). I feel better looking at this all today.

Things I want to take away from this race:

1. GREAT REMINDER for my marathon next week: FIRST half of marathon: KEEP IT SLOW GIRL. You will never win a marathon in the first half, but you can severely put yourself in the hole. I will be careful. Last year I did a good job feeling that I was easy, moving steady, and not pushing too much. The miles that I did push too much, I was chatting to a few people, and I will probably limit that this year.

2. ALWAYS DO THIS RACE: A10 is so well organized (however I do think they need more port o pots). I am always more fit at the end of the summer from training for this race. It is a keeper for me. I don’t love the extreme humidity sometimes, but… it is a reminder- you do what you can do. You cannot just sit back because it is humid. You cannot just do nothing because it is cold. You cannot wait for perfect conditions of the world or your body. GO and DO.

3. What you do matters- it always reminds me at races- showing up and seeing thousands of other people who also have done the work, woke up, got out, committed, gone through life and MADE IT WORK. It will never be perfect. I am absolutely sure that training was not perfect for any single person there yesterday, but we all did what we could in the midst of life.

My splits:

7:43

7:22

7:27

7:37

7:50

7:57

8:35 *yep…. Not all running

7:55

8:01

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Mental prep: KAUAI MARATHON 2026

Mental Prep Kauai Marathon 2026 (2^nd x for this race).

I write this 3 weeks out from 9/6/2026- KAUAI MARATHON and I am now officially STOKED!

I had my last longest run today of 24 miles and it went well, reminding me that this summer, I did everything in my power to show up on race day as the fittest version of myself. AND at the same time, I am balancing that confidence with a tremendous amount of humility because… ..ummmm… marathon. There is never a marathon without struggle and suffering, and so I know it will be a challenging day. So, my job is not just to do all the running, miles, strength, plyometric, core and all the things.. but I MUST be FULLY prepared mentally.

Mental Preparation always includes the “why”: Why does this matter to me? I’ve experienced it before, so why must I do this again?! FIRST: because I GET TO- I still am ABLE to train, I get to challenge myself, I get to find my stretch, who and what I am through the months of building and race day. SECOND: to do it in a land that is so meaningful to me, in air that delights my senses, with the spirit of aloha in the race is FULLY LIVING. I GET TO DO THIS! I get to own this experience fully. This is my FULL WHY that I will hold through the race. If you do not have such a fierce, deeply rooted internal conviction of your why, it’s going to make things harder. It will make it so much easier to crumble, to cave, to soften into something other than what you truly can sustain.

The marathon will have many moments of self-doubt, physical and mental work and choices that I will make in how I will handle those. It is up to me to use the tools that I’ve built through the years, and through this training cycle to strengthen my mind in a proactive way. This is part of the training.

Here are some examples of things I am reminding myself:

1.When I am at the start line AND through the race, the question to ask myself isn’t necessarily, “how do I want this race to go” but “how do I want to FEEL.” What is my energy, and where is my heart. That will ALWAYS lead the way. ALWAYS.

And, as I did last year, I want to lead with a heart of joy, gratitude and appreciation for the ridiculously amazing opportunity that I literally am living a dream to travel to my place of full joy. It’s honestly unbelievable. I get to run on this land. I get to traverse these miles. I get to do this in community with other people who share my passion for running, setting goals, and digging deep. I’m not my own island out there, I’m in a community of people who stand at the start line as ONE. Each runner is in this amazing social contract to begin together, setting out to do our best, to collectively push ourselves and each other further. I want to FEEL this community of racers, neighborhoods, and land (‘aina). I want to race each step feeling the gift of my body, health and love of the sport and exploration.

2. This is my 2^nd time doing this race, and part of me thinks, “ok you did it before- you know you can do this again.” And that gives me a chuckle because honestly… the fact of doing it before means almost nothing in my opinion of doing it again. (This brings memories of being pregnant with my 2^nd – it was zero help thinking “I’ve done this before”. Literally. Very similar imo- I was probably even more scared for the 2^nd birth!). When you do a marathon, you are scraping at times the depths of your being, going into your truth, what you stand for, the willingness to stay with yourself. One of my mantras will be “I am WILLING” to stay in the effort, I am willing to stay with myself, to not give up on myself. I am willing to scrape my depths. I deserve to see what is possible.

3. SOFTEN into suffering: I personally feel this so much in my training. On hard runs, when I am struggling, I tighten. My body physically tightens (neck/shoulders/jaw, I’m sure my chest) and I tighten my mind in the direction of worry and panic. I literally feel that I am RESISTING the struggle. I don’t want to be in it- who does? I worry that this is going to be my story- the struggle is going to be too much, I have to fight this!! What is a better frame of mind is the reminder that “ What you resist persists”- if I am spending my time fighting this feeling, I’ll be in it longer. If, instead, I can find some ease: maybe I let up pace slightly, or just simply find a way to soften into the struggle. It is always worse (in any situation, not just marathon training) when you are busy spending your energy fighting your reality and feelings, rather than being in them, acknowledging and step by step, breath by breath, let it be.

4. No EGO. Do the smart thing- walking is sometimes smarter than running up mountains and destroying the end goal of a strong finish. When walking: look up, find joy, fast feet. This helped me so much last year- typically I might say to myself to do the marathon without walking, however not this one. There are places here that trying to run on some of the incline/mountains doesn’t lead you to being the most efficient and economical in the long term/finish line. And I had to remind myself last year, a fast walk is the best option here, there is no shame. Keep moving forward in a way that is smart.

5. There are always TOOLS: count your steps, dedicate the mile, pray, look up and notice something, say a mantra along with your footsteps, see if you can make a honey stinger last maybe an entire mile in your mouth! Another trick I have used successfully in a few races is “commentating” in my mind- in the 3^rd person (I try to hear it as kara goucher’s voice because I love her strong commentating on running events) and I just say to myself things that are reminders of what I value, who I am, that I am trusting myself, believing in myself, etc.

One trick I’ve used before that was helpful is to think back to strong training runs and races where things felt like they clicked, and channel that feeling and energy in my mind. Almost “imagine” my body running smoothly like it did in those runs, and “faking it” to some extent. At the Shamrock Marathon in VA Beach, I remember thinking to “run smooth” like I had remembered feeling previously. So, I was doing this and someone on the side shouted out, “Whoa smooth running form”!

The hard times in the marathon will come. They will also change. What was a big feeling at mile 15 will be history by mile 19. The effort and challenge ARE the reward- the work is the ESSENCE of the event! A mantra I use is “This is what it feels like….”

This is what it feels like to get through hard things, to dig deep; this is what it feels like to work hard and appropriately. This is what it feels like to rise up to meet the challenge of the moment, to be strong and resilient. This is what it feels like to be doing the thing I love!

I hope some of these tools are helpful for you if you are reading this!

Sunday, July 19, 2026

HARDEST WORKER AWARD

( I know there is a button to rotate this but I cannot find. please send me a teenager to help).

July- 2 months until marathon

JULY CHECK IN WITH INTENTIONS: It has been a downside of this year for the first half that I have not been writing/blogging. I blame some of my health/energy issues and also I wonder if the reverse is also true- that writing keeps me unraveling my mind and creating energy. I am committed to writing (for myself) for the 2nd half of the year.

For now:

We are now a week into July. I have 2 months until Kauai Marathon, and I just tanked a long run last Saturday. Admittedly, the weather conditions were difficult. With a “feels like” temp that day of up to 110, I woke up at 4, got out the door at 5 and had a 20 miler planned/ hoped to be home and celebrating the success of a long run by 8am.

Well, first off: I got used to finishing my past months long runs successfully. So, this made me fall into a way of thinking that of course things would go as expected and I could just decide how this 20 miles would go and when I’d be home after finishing the 20. I let myself be lazy in my mind with not doing the WORK and mental preparation of a long run. It isn’t just the racing that takes mental prep. It is the training as well, and I failed to do that. I planned all the other things, the route, the hill repeats, the hydration and fuel to bring. And the weather may have made things more difficult, but I am convinced that the real issue I ran into that day was a mind that wasn’t prepared.

I wasn’t solid in my conviction that: long runs aren’t just a given- they don’t all happen successfully, they are a HUGE thing to respect. I trivialized it in my mind and took it for granted. I hadn’t mentally prepared for the FACT that it will always be the MIND that keeps the BODY going. There will ALWAYS be pain in a long run of 18 and beyond. And, it is essential to practice the tools that it takes to keep going. The mantras that align with the footsteps that say, “You will not stop” with every footstep, even if this needs to go on for ½ mile to 1 mile. What is the plan when things get soggy and when even your mental resilience feels water logged/sweat soaked and lazy. I literally felt like I had a “mushy mind” last Saturday- I had no grit worked up to fight with the monkey on my back telling me to take a minute to walk. I had no plan for: if I have to walk- what is it? 60 seconds or less than NO NEGOTIATING. I hadn’t instilled the discipline to not negotiate when things inevitably are uncomfortable.

And now I’m aware, I learned my lesson. I’m doing the work.

I'm committed to the planning of the mental preparation- not just for the main event- the race itself…. But for the real main event: the JOURNEY THERE. The training is really always the main event, and I cannot just wait until race day to be fierce in my mind.

The workouts that go south are ALWAYS the ones that really drive the learning and progress, and I’m ready and listening and doing the work to up my game. I was disappointed on Saturday. Now, I’m more motivated. I won’t cut things short. I will do all of the mental preparation, I will spend the time with legs up the wall, I will not cut short any of the foam rolling, mobility/activation work. I will respect the summer and all the sweat and do electrolytes daily.

Perhaps most of all, I will be very clear in my GOALS. As last year- this is not a race to have a time goal. Going through these hills in Kauai is a different game than others- and my goal is the TRAINING- get as FIT AND STRONG AS I CAN IN NEXT 2 months so that I have the best chance to work my way in whatever forward movement it takes, KNOWING that there will be walking, and that there will be again, tremendous mental discipline to stay positive, to know I have done my best, to not doubt myself, and to have an aloha heart of gratitude and respect for the land I am covering 26.2 on. I am the LUCKIEST to get to live this dream and I will honor it by the FULL work- mind and body that a marathon preparation truly deserves.

Sunday, March 8, 2026

Stop Raising the Bar

2025 was just a THRILLING YEAR (for the most part) for me. I had some big goals and the journey and execution of these goals was highly meaningful. Last fall, once the main events that I had planned for the year were over, I felt a bit of a letdown and knew I wanted to start thinking and planning my 2026 goals and something that would light up my heart. I love the planning, preparation and anticipation of hopeful things to come.

After months going back and forth on race goals, I decided- I’m going back. I’m going back to my heart place- Kauai. The marathon was full of AWE, and I want to smile so hard again… (and suffer… you know, it goes hand in hand, and that to me is part of the beauty). I registered, I’m going.

So, as I’ve been anticipating the start of training, the season of “training to train”, I’ve been thoughtful of keeping a solid run base. That seems like it has been thwarted- first by some hip and hamstring pain back in December until……. Then my treadmill died. Then the new treadmill wasn’t usable…. I still went out ins 20 degrees… until I came back crying. Finally, I got a new treadmill that actually worked however either it is off, or I am off (in terms of calibrating paces). When I realized I am also 15 lbs heavier currently, and I know my physical body is doing some odd things (freaking menopause), needless to say I have been in a 2 month struggle.

I am LUCKY and BEYOND thankful to have been able to at least continue running through these months. Let me premise all of this by saying that I do not take that for granted. Thank goodness right now that all of my estrogen-dependent injuries right now seem to be congregated in my hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder… I’ve been able to keep 30-34 mile run weeks for the first 8 weeks of the year, so this is good.

AND. Those miles have been struggle bus. Many of them have lots of walking in them. Walking is fine, it is just that I didn’t used to incorporate regular walking during runs to recover, I could just slow down. With my decreased fitness and increased weight, running has physically felt HARD. My mindset has felt like it has been slightly PUNCHED by not being able to do workouts I’ve done always. I feel like I can’t trust what is happening- am I slower, or is it the treadmill numbers, is it the cold air in my lungs. Is it depression? Is it this or that? I’ve been off in all of the ways.

And just recently, I realized that my MIND… AS ALWAYS…. Is becoming a bit of a trigger in my running. I am here, there and everywhere. And, as I’ve said recently in yoga practice, Seneca the Stoic was quoted as saying, “he who is everywhere is nowhere.” And I realize that has been me. My mind is fluttering between self doubt, self criticism, and then moving forward to where I want to be, which is not where I am, currently. This is in STARK contrast to how I approached my training last year for the Kauai marathon, and how I try to approach my training intentions and goals.

Last year- I knew the race was a pure bucket list dream to even be PRESENT for and COMPLETE. My whole training plan was around the idea and intention of training to complete WITHOUT INJURY. There was no other goal. Absolutely zero speed goal. Absolutely zero EGO. All SOUL. I literally would have been happy had I needed to walk the last 6 miles, knowing that I was walking (in paradise) a bucket list item in the glorious sun, air and land. I knew moving my body to the finish line HOWEVER I needed to get there was the goal- all soul, no ego involved.

And here I am this year, being me. Falling into the tendency of always needing more. Needing to improve, do even better next year. “Maybe this year I won’t need to walk the hills.” I can train even harder. I can be faster. I can do hill repeats for the final 10 miles of each training run this summer. I can do harder leg strength at the end to be even more resilient for this year’s race. And, in this attitude of clinging and tight control and focus on a goal that frankly isn’t even what I want when I sit back and take an actual real breath in my body….. I realize I’m working directly against myself.

I’m making the goal something it doesn’t need to be. I’m making the goal too big, something that is ego driven, rather than heart driven. I’m missing the simplicity of keeping the attention on the daily grind, the journey of the build and letting things settle themselves out as they will and having that be enough.

This reminds me and brings me back to my lesson a few years back with big hip pain. I had to step back, and I still do and will probably always need to with my body, to never cross the line of injury. My training intensity and volume needs to be carefully attended to; my intentions must be clear in order to keep my training sustainable for the long term and big picture. It will probably always be better for me overall to err on the side of a little bit less rather than too much for my body, in this lifetime. There is a line of intensity that I cannot cross healthily in my body (back and hips). The past few years, the mantra “don’t get greedy” has been my reminder that I don’t need to go over that enticing line. I need to stay rooted knowing that training at a level that is sustainable for life is my true goal.

I train and race best these days when I am guided by an attitude of exploration, joy and curiosity of movement and training. While there is that physical line that I always keep forefront to respect and not cross, I also must remember to apply that to my mental training. I need to re-establish a beginner’s mind towards this race as I did last year. I’m remembering that I don’t always need to move the goalposts further. What I did last year was good enough and MAGICAL. What I WILL DO AGAIN will also be good enough, and the goal is HEART CENTERED and SOUL DRIVEN once again. This is where I flourish and can be most true to myself. Running is a DELIGHT in my life- there is no one to impress and I’m frankly not in competition with anyone. Not even myself. I have a hard time remembering that, after a lifetime of thinking that I need to over-earn, over-work and prove myself.

The fine line at the intersection of balancing the discipline of not cutting things short, vs. the drive to always need more is always a tough one for any athlete. There is a time to NOT push through, to not be in a state of FIGHTING like hell, willing my body to do what it just is NOT capable of. Those days are gone and I have no need for that way of grinding myself down. The better way for me now is to train myself up by pure presence, not comparing myself to past days and years and simply celebrating the joy of running and training. There is a way to balance my strength of character and determination with softness and gratitude. I’m returning to a mindset of training to EXPERIENCE my events this year, just as they unfold, nothing more, nothing less. I am consciously returning to awareness of training with a balance both grit and crystal clear, heart driven intention…. Let’s GO!

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Stepping into 2026, reflecting back on 2025

2025.

Ohhh 2025.

You were the best of years. And also not the best.

Let’s look back… It was the year I was turning 50 and my word of the year/mantra was “now”. I wanted to make sure I was living present and not waiting for a thing. I’m really proud of how I did that this year. I had a list of 50 things- I did not complete them all, but I did get through most of them and the rest are still on my list- time/scheduling just didn’t happen, and I know they will. I wrote letters to 50 people who have changed my life, I took a trapeze class, I did a bucket list marathon in Kauai, I made it a priority to go to a few new places that are near me that I just hadn’t previously made time for. I did some house projects, personal projects, writing projects, travel, visits. I recreated photos for my 50’th bday, and more. I’m so glad I had a list to make things happen.

I did 2 races that I trained for really hard. I did Ironman 70.3 PA and the Kauai marathon. The PA race, I finished the last 6 miles just elated and ALREADY feeling so proud of myself. To be able to say that to myself, to FEEL that completely, from the inside out…. Was so special. I came back from an injury, I trained hard, and honestly, I couldn’t tell you my time/place/pace anything, all I know is the FEELING… and that really is how I’m living and training and racing these days. The Kauai marathon was similar. I trained DAMN HARD. AND.. right now, I couldn’t tell you my finish time—I could guess but I honestly forgot my time, I have it written… but it isn’t even in the top 10 things I would care about from that race. The TRAINING I was proud of, and the RACE I was also- by the way I was completely in the moment, aware, giving myself both work and grace. Were the last 10 miles of it SO hard? YES. AND. I hung in there. I self-talked myself through, stayed strong, stayed with myself, showed myself that I have become the person through these 50 years that can endure.

There was so much of this year that was great. There was also so much that sucked, in all honesty. And, not just the state of our country. As always, I feel big; so to lose relationships always hurts me. This year was devastating in ways to the heart. AND I see now though that with every devastation came love. When I was so raw and broken, my family was there for me, and I now know I have that. I relied on messages and txts from my friends, and day by day, I got through. (and therapy!)

So, I now step into 2026.What are my dreams for the year, what are my dreams for 5 years and how will this year play into that?

Who do I want to show up as every day for MYSELF, for OTHERS.

It’s sometimes hard to pick a word (I’ve had some years where I just KNOW, others were I have like 10 things). This year, a quick brainstorm brings me to a few possibilities:

Aloha (the spirit of aloha that I feel SO STRONG, so natural when I am in Hawaii, can I channel that even in the tundra/frozen/grey of winter? Can I carry that aloha spirit from the inside out?) Towards – every day, am I leaning IN/TOWARDS/being intentional/forward thinking as well as NOW. Trust - can I live each moment trusting myself, the universe, the path. Intention: I worked with this so much this year- in every day, what was my intention, even in every conversation, every workout plan, every training session, what was my intent in an interaction with someone with- how did I want to leave them feeling and myself as well. I loved breaking things down and even realizing having an intention of a conversation- to leave someone feeling heard, seen, loved was such an honor and special. Passion: THIS, for me seems to even encompass all the words above: PASSION for who I want to be, what I believe in can ENCOMPASS aloha, towards, trust and intention. (ohhh and I am a SUCKER for quote in one of my favorite movies “Serendipity”- “The Greeks didn’t write obituaries. When someone died, they asked one question. Did they live with passion.” So this year, I go forward with

PASSION

I want to live each day knowing that each moment makes a difference. Each day, I will spend time knowing that my energy is directed to what I am passionate about. That will mean saying no to certain things and situations in order to prioritize what brings me joy, thrill and uplifts my soul. I will honor the things that ground me and also things that lift me. I will work on daily making my dreams come true at the same time as I allow things and life to be, even when that disappoints or frustrates me. I will feel the joy every single day that “I get to” pet my dogs, spend time with my family and friends, do work that I know makes a difference with people I genuinely care about and believe in. I get to use my body and MOVE- run, bike, swim, lift heavy things, and lay down with legs up. I will move in ways that honor my body and breath and heart. I will try to share and be contagious with this energy, but… I’ll also accept that I cannot create passion in others. I will continue to make time for friends, for gardening, crafting, candles, porch, dogs, paddleboarding, hiking, reading, writing. Being passionate doesn’t mean I have to go over the top, but I can honor my heart and the enthusiasm that genuinely arises in me for the things of daily life: sunrises, puppies, kind people saying hello on walks and runs, seeing wildlife, moving my body with exhilaration in all the ways that I love so much. I will make space to craft with shells, garden, take naps with Gretyl laying on my legs, climbing mountains, running more on trails which I’m finding more and more is speaking to a feeling of peace. My run/triathlon training will be full of hard work, hitting goals, pushing myself, and training with passion: this looks like ENJOYING it as well as times where it feels frustrating. My races this year will be geared towards racing with passion and heart. This means letting the training do the work on race day and staying focused while also LOOKING UP and ENJOYING. It’s not worth it if I don’t love it. I want to have the deep passion for the things that I choose to lock my mind and heart on to that it is worth acknowledging and doing all of the small things that are the building blocks, the path, the way. I want to remember that every day, I (as we all do) have the opportunity to change people’s lives, to connect, to smile and be kind. I want to be someone who notices and shows up for others. I want to remember to pause and look at people’s eyes, face and make a simple moment of connection. Even moments of rest can be filled with enthusiasm and genuine awareness of acceptance. I’m old enough to have learned, or be in the process of learning to sit, breathe and be. I’m passionate about showing up for myself and others. There are so many things to be passionate about. I want to express gratitude for my life by allowing the passion to rise up daily. May it be so.

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

What is Saving my Life Nov 2025

This is my 2nd of this prompt, which I'm kinda enjoying! I haven't been writing and it is something I'm missing, so it is also nice that it got me back to something that makes me happy!

I'd love to hear any of yours if you are reading this! It feels good to think about a month at a time and the things that have been big blessings/highlights/ spaces of joy!

WHAT IS SAVING MY LIFE- 6 things this month!

Nov 2025 edition:

1. PUSHUPS! So, this month I started a 100 pushup a day challenge. I had seen something on social media about this and I just felt like I wanted to try it. I didn’t want to make an actual huge thing out of it with Rising Sun Fitness, but I wanted anyone interested to take it and run with it! I personally ended up really enjoying it. It was a few minutes a day, with definite results! And, I ENJOYED being creative with it. One day I did 10x 10 alternating hands up on low step doing plyos, 10 hands down and feet up. One day I did 2x50 which was HARD and I loved finding where my body was FULLY shaking. I did 10x10 handstand pushups interspersed with some of my yoga practice. Overall, I loved having this number in my head and just being creative and feisty with it! It honestly brought me back to when I was a kid doing gymnastics and reaching my limits, getting stronger, struggling and finding what I was made of. I know that I still train hard, although in endurance sports now, but this pushup challenge brought me back to where I was trying to do my best with moving my body with STRENGTH.

2. UKULELE! I aim to do 10 minutes of “practice” a day. This month I “learned” how to pluck happy birthday. I’m still learning a bunch of chords and I’m enjoying working, learning, getting my fingers to try to hit the chords/frets/strings correctly.

3. PODCASTS: I am so glad I started listening to podcasts a few years ago. I really enjoy on a run or walk having some interesting dialogue to listen to. Is it always a 10/10- nope, HOWEVER every once in awhile I am just so thankful to hear the conversation and words that really connect to me.

4. PINTEREST: Once again, I am thankful for some creative inspiration for thanksgiving dinners, cheese boards, crochet, and more.

5. MY KIDS: I spent the month excited for everyone to come home- Forrest for a full week- Phoebe and her boyfriend Scott for 5 days approximately. It was so NICE. We didn’t do anything extraordinary, but just enjoyed movies, (eating), a turkey trot, being together, walks, shopping and simply time together!

6. MY WORK- clients and daily progress! Honestly, I find that my happiest days are days when I am super busy and get to do more of what lights me up. Do I sometimes get fatigued? Well, yes… but I also LOVE it. This month, I was lucky to have a few new (and returning) personal training clients who I loved getting to begin with, I went through some end of season reflection and goal setting with clients and athletes, I got to work through some injuries and progressions with some clients and overall, I aimed to always have people feeling BETTER after a workout than they did before. What a gift to be a part of this slice of people’s lives!

Thursday, November 13, 2025

WHAT IS SAVING MY LIFE OCTOBER 2025

What is Saving my life October 2025:

I follow a podcast that has these episodes “what is saving my life” and it can be small things (or big) and I’ve grown to love the idea of recognizing these glimmers in daily life!

It is so helpful to notice the GOOD!! And to document it, share it, speak it! What POWER!

Here are mine and I would LOVE to connect and have you share yours! Please! What a gift that would be!

October 2025- despite…. The world… Oh my….. lots of heavy stuff….

What is saving my life:

Candles. I’m sorry I know it isn’t “cold” in what others may categorize cold or cool, but… the end of summer, pools closing….. sweatshirts, I get cold. And so CANDLES OH MY. To be able to light a candle at night is to me such a symbol of love, heart and taking care of myself. And, I have splurged!!! For years, I have heard of this “Pumpkin Smash” by Half Baked Harvest and I’ve wanted to try. It was on the amazon sale and so I did and… IT IS the TRUTH, friends. It is heaven to the senses. It is WORTH IT. So thankful, every night (or when I NEED some heart care)…. Candles.

2. MAKING TIME: I'm honestly going to be truthful that I don’t think I’m ever in my best space in the fall. I’m cold, I’m kinda mourning, I’m not really in my happy place and having to do some work to maintain what I know to be true to my heart. And: that includes lots of reminders of my loves: my family, including my dogs, my friends, and even online connections. So thankful recently to see both kids, have some empty nest time going to new places with Ryan, my pups are always my BFFs, and I’ve scheduled more time with friends and I’m GRATEFUL! It's been nice to have even scheduled walks, quick coffee or happy hour get togethers, or entire Saturday afternoons of catching up!

3. OUTDOORS: Ok, I have a thing. I’m obsessed with being outdoors, I just simply do not really feel good being indoors. I’ve done a thing thing in the past month or two where I go outdoors while my coffee is brewing each morning, and even if it is cold, I go outside, look up at the stars, and do my “thank you God for the gift of this day” and… I love it. It reminds me to be me. To live well and not forget the huge gift of this day, this life. I also spent this month getting in 3 miles of walks per day. That forced me to go outdoors during a time when I feel like I may prefer to sit under a blanket, honestly. I know I am better mentally when I am in fresh air, my dogs get the benefit of more miles on their paws, and it's always a blessing to see the sky.

4. Writing: because just writing this is honestly bringing me back to myself. For whatever reason, writing soothes my soul. When I sort my insides out on paper or computer or journal or whatever form, I am so much more centered and clear..

Going to a wedding- it has been SO LONG. I didn’t even know what it would be like to go to a wedding again and… IT WAS BEAUTIFUL and heartwarming, and I SMILED more than I have… (well….. since Hawaii). It was nice to go and even without knowing many people there, having the most beautiful evening! It is a HIGHLIGHT of my year! And just feel overjoyed for my friend and her new husband! It's such a good reminder of connection, love, life.

I I know some of these things may seem so small, but I am thankful to be aware of these delights! Life is beautiful and also brutal, and I'm so thankful for it all.

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

KAUAI Marathon 2025

Kauai marathon, 8/31/2025

I flew to Kauai on Wednesday for this Sunday race! I think that was perfect timing to get there, settle in and loosen up after 14 hours in the air, adapt to the time change, etc. I think it would have been even better had I not done so much hiking on Thursday that my hips then quads were still sore on race morning!!! However, I wouldn’t have changed anything because I got in great hikes that I absolutelky adored and still managed the marathon!

Some super quick background: I just feel so lucky that I was able to even do this marathon. When I had a bad ankle sprain this spring, I didn’t know what that would mean- especially for the hiking that I wanted to do daily. I wrapped the ankle (that is still swollen) before the marathon and didn’t have any problems. In addition, I hurt my knee about 4-5 weeks before the race. For a solid 2 weeks, I wasn’t able to even take walks without pain. Sometimes I could run, but I would finish and it would be so painful and stiff. Obviously, I was super concerned, but I think it was a bone bruise and with enough icing, I got it to heal! I am SO VERY GRATEFUL for this.

I trained myself hard for this race, and took my weekly training plan very serious. It was one of my goals for the year to actually coach myself again. To treat myself like one of the athletes I coach and to follow my plan, do my best, and be as prepared and fit as possible. I did that, and I’m proud of myself.

I built to 50-54 miles per week for my top 4 weeks of training. I did a few new things in my training:

1. I tried to mimic approx the total time I would be out there on race day. So that doesn’t mean I ran 26 beforehand, but I did run 23 as my long run (which is a good thing for my run level and pace). But then I continued with a walk, so that my total moving time (so metabolically, muscularly, mentally, I would have my systems prepared for the length).

2. I also did the same idea as above except followed up my long run with strength sessions (lower body) to build leg strength on tired legs.

3. The final changes made was that I really blocked my weeks: I would do long run, FOLLOWED by 2 more (at least) consecutive days of running, with one of these days a significant mid distance run of 14-15. By blocking/stacking these run days- it would then give me 2 days/week – Thurs and Friday off of running (usually Thurs would be swim or bike day, then pretty much always off on Friday) to repair and recover. I think this really worked well to the point of what I was trying to accomplish. It let me train hard/get in lots of miles on tired legs (u can’t always train on fresh legs because then aren’t teaching the body how to recruit accessory muscles to come into play.

DAYS BEFORE RACE: hiking Thursday and Friday wasn’t ideal if my goal was to PERFORM OPTIMALLY in the marathon. But I would choose it again based on how the race went. The other component I would repeat is my nutrition the week of race. I knew last year I had messed up my stomach with tomatoes/too much acid before a late summer race. When I got to Kauai- I came with oatmeal, an apple and a tuna packet and whole grain wrap for each day. Super easy to open the packet at the beach or end of a hike, dump it in wrap, roll it up and boom. So basically each day, I would have banana in am (stopped at walmart immediately after landing for my usual: bananas and wine), pour hot water over oatmeal in a paper cup and put in the car to be oatmeal for after a hike, bring an apple, then have a wrap/tuna at some point. I also had bars with me, also peanut butter pretzels. I would eat something else that I would purchase- (always drinks/ I did go to happy hour daily), I was slightly concerned that I was cutting food short, not getting in enough calories. Oh, I also had a few bagels- maybe 2 blueberry that I had brought from home and kind of ate as needed. I also took at least one electrolyte tab, usually 2 (one always was a NUUN, the other would be a liquid iv packet- plus I liked that would give me some calories without fiber in this pre race week. I’m not saying at all that I would recommend this eating plan for someone else, but honestly it worked for me in the end and -- to do a marathon with NO GI ISSUES, omgosh I’ll TAKE IT!!) *The night before- I boiled up these soba noodles that I had brought from home and mixed another packet of tuna in. (I don't even like tuna, but, honestly, if it allows me to travel on a food budget, I'll take it!) (I made up for it in happy hours and also had a few meals out that were great!)

· RACE MORNING: race started at 6 so I planned to get there at 4, planned to get up at 3:15. Well- I basically was ramped up at 2am with no HOPE for more sleep. I left the vrbo at 3:50- got there at 4. I had 2 hours to mingle, walk around, and I reminded myself to get off legs and sit!

· Things (gi) system was feeling super smooth and I thought I was fine going to bathroom, but at like 5:10, I had a wave come over me like noooo pls nooo! Do not let this be a story in my day!! I went to bathroom, prayed (literally) (and it was all I asked other people to pray for me for- pray for my gi system)!! that this would be the end. Luckily it was!!!

· There was a 30 min walk to start line and a Hawaiian ceremony-was beautiful! Then it was time!! To RUN!!!!

At race ceremony, even walking over I had this intense urge to pee. I have never had that before, I couldn’t believe it. The race started and the first two miles, all I could think is that I cannot believe this- I need to pee and I was giving serious consideration to possibly stopping bc it was uncomfortable and distracting.

Mile 1: I knew this mile was flat to begin and I always love a nice flat start! I settled in nice and calm, yea.

Mile 2 we turned left and were supposed to start an incline. Well, I didn’t really feel an incline, I thought hmmm, well maybe soon…. I was feeling a perfect maybe 6-6.5/10 effort- exactly on plan.

Mile 3: took the first few sips of a UCAN gel, and also just noticing my surroundings and all sorts of interesting things. First, there is a guy near me wearing khaki shorts and a button down Hawaiin shirt. Interesting- even if he is doing the half, wtf? Also, so many women wearing these new fancy like “skort” things with like “pleats” on the skirt so that every step their skirt balloons up in the air and it looks like it is swishing on their legs when it comes down. I don’t know, but that would drive me crazy feeling all of that movement around me/ fabric tapping on me each step. Just interesting to notice. Also, a few people just HOLDING their phones (more on phones later)- but I wouldn’t even want to hold my phone for a 3 mile jog. Anyway, each to their own, I was just noticing all of these things and still wondering where the hill was. Pace 8:23- noticing my pace continuing to warm up, but I still am at my 6-6.5/10 effort as to plan.

Mile 4: I take in some water sips from my flask because while the sun isn’t out- it is cloudy and sun still rising, it is already HUMID. I’m already sweating quite a bit, just keeping this in mind. 8:11.

Mile 5: I am honestly wondering where the hill is. Later, when I drove these roads, I did notice there was an incline, so it was there, but I just didn’t notice it, it wasn’t bad and it was all just gradual along the way, and now we enter the TREE TUNNEL- just beautiful and spectacular to be able to be ON FEET taking this all in. When in the world do you have an opportunity to run through the tree tunnel and have this time to really be feet on the earth, fully immersed and experiencing it. It was pure awe and joy. I just was smiling honestly the whole time. 8:31

Mile 6, Tree tunnel continues and I just remember this mile as being fully just loving how I am feeling on this day. Running easy, feel strong on my legs, breathing easy, happy heart. I take a few more sips of my ucan gel- my plan for first 10 miles is to take some sips every 3 miles. 9:11

Mile 7: we take a left onto a main road. There is a lane closed down, but I notice tons of traffic going in the opposite direction, it is only like 7 am now- not sure if there is more traffic because other roads are closed maybe. I start to notice also that I’m taking the tangents, doesn’t seem like anyone else around me is, but I personally am not going to add distance to my marathon, so I try to keep aware of where the most direct line is to where we are going. Plus, that is helpful to stay aware and present. 8:22

Mile 8: My mind does some sort of little anxiety flutters, not because I’m feeling bad, but because I’m falling into my “forward thinking” trap. Like how will this go? How will I feel in 10 more miles, in 16 more miles. I remind myself to be where my feet are, enjoy my surroundings, absorb every moment. So, I am aware of trying to be present, but I’m also feeling some of my tendencies to worry about how things will unravel. 8:07

Mile 9: I have a few people running near me holding super steady pace with me, I’m so thankful. One guy is quite tall and I do tuck behind him (until he isn’t running the tangents). Then we end up really shoulder to shoulder for most of this mile. I ask him quietly- “steady pace, are you doing half or full?” I was hoping he was doing the full because I wanted to have someone right at my pace to kind of try to lock in with. He said the half though. We just asked where each other were from- he was from Austrailia but living/working in NC. Here I go- 3^rd sips of my UCAN gels. 7:25

Mile 10: Now another guy running our pace asked me, because he heard that I said I was from Virginia, where in VA I was from. He said he was from Falls Church, so then somehow we got chatting a little bit about did I grow up in VA/ no, but I went to college at UVA/ then he is asking if I happened to know a few of his friends (I didn’t)(shocking)/ he mentioned he went to MCV (which is where I was DYING to go to med school- waitlisted twice- 2^nd time after becoming a VA resident, uggggg).. So, we were chatting TOO MUCH and I didn’t honestly like it because I knew I didn’t want my energy going into chatting. I finally said, it is nice to meet you, I can’t talk anymore. I couldn’t tell if I was just worried about my energy, or if I was losing it, but I knew my goal wasn’t to be social during a marathon. 7:32

Mile 11: Now we are at a place where the half/full split in opposite directions. After I split off and began going uphill, there was a guy who was yelling out, “you are definitely in top 10 of women” which surprised me. I honestly wasn’t trying and certainly wasn’t expecting to be. Part of me was like hmmmmm…. What if??!! And then the rest of me was like, “sharon, your goals for this race are to (not have major GI issues all over Kauai) but to run with JOY and just SOAK UP THIS BUCKET LIST EVENT…. So I reminded myself to stick with exactly where I knew I needed to be pace wise. I had a Cliff Block this mile because I think I wanted the caffeine from it since I was worried I expended too much energy talking. It reminded me why I don’t like blocks during running- so hard to chew, then I feel like I Need a tooth brush, but… I don’t regret it, and I was happy to maybe feel some jolt of caffeine. 7:43.

Mile 12: Ok geez, here is the hill, mercy. It’s a hill. Just stay with yourself Sharon. Manage your energy. Plug along. I think it was somewhere around here where there was a family sitting on the hill in their front yard and I glanced over, thought there was a dog sitting with them, then I notice as it got up and had horns, it was a goat!!! 9:29.

Mile 13: UH OH. I’m literally dying on this hill- I’m worried about my legs- which already started sore. This hill is not just a hill, this is so significant that I am worried that I am not doing the right thing for my legs by running it. I don’t need to “win” the hill, I just need to not let the hill crush me for the next 13 miles. I started my 2^nd Ucan gel here. 9:58

Mile 14: Thank goodness we plateaued and I felt like I got my legs back. It boosted my confidence that yes, the hills will be hard, I was WARNED about this. AND… I have trained hills all summer, so my legs will be able to be resilient. 8:49

Mile 15: Here we go again, I knew this was going to be the hilliest part, mile 13-20- maybe I got thrown off because the first mile 1-7 was also supposed to be a hill that I didn’t really feel at all affected by. But I am challenged here. I grab ice water from aid station and pour over head. Felt amazing. Took some sips of ice water as well. My legs were screaming and I start to get serious about making choices that are not ego driven. I realize I might seriously need to consider walking the hill in order to be smart in the big picture. I relax shoulders/ everything I can so that I can just plug at this hill. 10:18

Mile 16: this is where it happens. I have to walk. I am reminded walking uphills doesn’t mean a stroll, so I bent my arms and tried to lose as little time as possible. The people I was near pacewise aren’t really seeming to be gaining much ground on me at this point even though I was walking uphill. It got a little easier, so I jogged. Then again just boom we are gaining so much elevation that I notice it is a new temperature and a bit cooler, I walked again fast, and realize, while walking, make use of this time. I had half a packet of mortal hydration mix in my belt and I had finished one of my water flasks, so I quick pour the powder in my empty flask and at next aid station, I am ready to pour ice water in. PERFECT. I quick run into the port o pot here- I don’t think I’m having an emergency, but it is a good time to regroup, I am fast in and out and get going again. 13:10.

Mile 17: So, the hills continue, and there is a point where I am walking and thinking, geez, while I’m walking, maybe I should call someone to let them know that I’m still going and just to “check in”….. and I’m very quickly like (first of all- if you even slightly know me, you know I hate the phone, I do not talk on the phone, so why would I even think about making a phone call), but more importantly--- what am I thinking? That I can get like a “lifeline” of someone to help me with energy? NO. just no. NO. You go into a marathon and you are on your own to make it through, no lifelines. The sun is coming out, it is both once in awhile hot, but then a little breeze of cool air comes, which I am thankful for. We are now in these neighborhoods that I would have NEVER SEEN/ never driven through except for this opportunity of a marathon. The people were GREAT. Such fun neighborhoods, so great to see where people live, the local Hawaii vibe, everyone is happy and helpful. A guy had a stand out that had dixie cups with soda, Ohhhh I was so grateful. I’m continuing to do a run/walk as needed to be smart about the hills. I want to run as much as possible, so even if it isn’t fast, I do that, but when I realize that the smartest thing to do on the biggest climbs is to walk, I don’t beat myself up. 9:05

Mile 18: There is some rolling hills in here, so I’m thankful for any downhill opportunity honestly! I am telling myself to just be in this mile. That right now, I am mentally ONLY thinking about getting to 20 miles. *The plan was at 20 miles things start to go back down in elevation, so I am just trying to stay gritty and work in here. There is a stand with orange slices, I grab 2 and am so thankful for the tang of the juice. As I’m struggling, I try to keep encouraging others that I also see struggling. If we are both walking and I start, I would say, come with me, let’s go… OR- if they pass me as I’m walking, I tell them they are doing amazing. It helps them AND me. Some people do a slight response, some people have zero response and I realize they are listening to earbuds. I am slightly annoyed by this- like- that pulls you out of the event we are in- we are in this together, but you cannot really be part of the fabric of what we are doing if you cannot even hear. Just my opinion. 9:36.

Mile 19: I’m now at the point- with taking in ice cold mortal, which is sooooo good, the 2 tiny sodas, the oranges, along with the ice water dumping over my head that my stomach is having not GI issues…. But definitely it’s clenching and bloating. I feel like my skin on my stomach is so tight I have no room for expanding my stomach to breathe, so I’m a little bit worried and try to get myself to only take in water so I don’t overdo the stomach. There is huge uphill here and I am walking again, this is all just such a grind. But I remind myself when walking, “my intention is to be FULL OF JOY in this race” so anytime I walk, I tell myself to LOOK UP! And what do you know? I see immediately this beautiful, deep purple, vibrant flowering bush in someone’s yard. There is beauty everywhere. The neighborhoods are beautiful, the volunteers are amazing, I am focusing on gratitude for this opportunity and for so much GOOD! 11:51.

Mile 20: Ok, I made mile 20, things will be less hilly now… WRONG. I’m not sure why we are still climbing up. The elevation profile in the map did not say this. But, it’s got to be soon, so stop thinking sharon. I am now back to where I am taking 1 sip of mortal at every mile marker and at the half mile markers, taking some water. So, I am just little bit by little bit making it through, doing anything I can to mentally persevere. The hills continue. 10:35

Mile 21: So, we are supposed to be going downhill but we aren’t, but at least we have some rollers in here, up and down. We come to a neighborhood with tons of cheering and energy. There is a few women standing in the middle of the road asking if we want them to use what I think was a leaf blower to blow “cold air” on us to “push us up the hill”. I was so confused. I am so sorry but I am sure my face was like, whaaaaaattt???? First- do those leaf blowers blow cold air? And also, just NOOOOO I did not want a loud blast of questionable air blasting at me. I shook my head, NO. I think maybe other people wanted this because they seemed surprised that I didn’t want that? But yea, absolutely NO.

On the other hand, what was AMAZING right past this- was a woman giving out ice soaked washcloths that we could HAVE. OMG I honestly think THIS WASHCLOTH got me through! I ended up holding it in right hand for a mile, then left hand a mile, alternating to the finish line. It was a LIFESAVER!

Another great spectating thing was big BUBBLE machines- actually all sorts of bubble machines- one was a small bubble maker. Just such little glimmers of joy, and sometimes it was nice to have just “quiet energy” instead of like cowbells (or leaf blowers). There were also hula dancers on the side, some people keeping a run cadence with drumbeats, which was a highlight also. 10:28.

Mile 22. I’m just waiting, PATIENTLY WAITING for this downhill. What goes up must come down, so WHEERREEEE IS IT?? And why was the map wrong? I am walking at least one hill in this mile again… I do feel slightly disheartened just because I’m like, “ I spent so much time studying that map, why wasn’t it correct”… I’m now on the “way back” while people are still going out- so I am passing them in the opposite direction. I notice so many people doing maybe exactly what I considered- they are walking uphills talking on the phone. I have never noticed this. I’m not a fan at all. I’m shocked by myself that I even considered it, and I m just reminded by how our tendency in the times we live in, is to be so accessible, to have just this fundamental inclination to go to the phone, go to electronics, to be anywhere but PRESENT. I would have missed so much in this race had I been chatting to someone on the phone. 12:05

Mile 23: here we are at a point where there are 3 (plus a little) miles left. That is this 3 mile loop that I know at home, so I think to myself, you have one of these loops and you’ll have MADE IT! We have some downhill stretch here, I am so thankful to feel my legs actually just doing some running. I still am taking in Ucan gel sips because I know anything can still happen. I don’t want to cramp, I need to keep the energy/calories/electrolytes flowing. I need to stay with myself, stay within my energy, keep my mind positive, and NOT NEGOTIATE giving up. 9:28

Mile 24: It is kinda soul crushing to have more hills (UP) now, again.. this was not in the plan. But it is what it is, it’s been 4 miles now of evidence that we are not going all downhill. I walk the steepest part again and then am able to get running again. I was happy that even when I was walking, I would *first remind myself: LOOK UP- see the beauty, be in the intention of why you are here, which is to LOVE EVERY SECOND of this opportunity, then *second, I would make sure my walking wasn't just sauntering. I was trying to go decent so that I wasn't actually losing too much time to the people who were running. (At these inclines, I was lucky that I actually didn't lose too much!) Now, we are coming back towards the ocean which is so comforting. I am trusting myself that I can just manage through. Every step is willful, every moment, I am using energy to continue willing myself forward, hydrating, switching washcloth hands, pacing myself through my last sips of mortal hydration (new to me this year from the IM 70.3 PA), taking ice water from aid stations. 10:04

Mile 25: I’ve been WAITING FOR THIS LAST FULL MILE!!! I wanted to get here, because then I knew, I was going to TALK MYSELF THROUGH to the end. Here is the time when I had planned to be my own best cheerleader, commentating as if I were Kara Goucher, the BEST RUN COMMENTATOR EVER! And I start some dialogue in my head (don’t worry I wasn’t doing this out loud). But I began commentating in 3^rd person (sports psych hack- use your mantras in 3^rd person saying your name), so I began:

Sharon is making it through this final mile. She is committed to the finish; She is trusting her training, her body, her mind and her focus to fight through every step.

Sharon has embraced this opportunity of love and passion for this land, she is asking herself to do hard things and to never give up. This day is happening because she was intentional, and she followed her dreams and her heart. What a gift of a day, a gift of a lifetime!

Every step is a choice, either towards who you want to be, or away from yourself, and every step, she is going in HER direction, in the direction of filling her heart with joy, embracing this PARTY ON THE FEET! 10:07

Mile 26: 9:53.We get to the 26 mile marker and A guy there shouts out: you have 26 miles behind you, now ONLY ½ to the end! I thought, what an idiot… he doesn’t know that a marathon is 26.2- not another half. He just doesn’t know. Then 100 feet down the road a woman yells, “Almost there- another ½ mile.” I literally want to die with these comments (I’m now wondering is there another hill too!!) It doesn’t matter, there is nothing that will stop me at this point. I haven’t even crossed the finish line, but I am already smiling- I know I can make it, I HAVE made it. I never gave up. What a journey. It was every bit as amazing as I imagined. It was MORE! I did love every bit of this, even the struggles. I wouldn’t have wanted it anything less than the challenge that it was😊 My heart is so full. A dream fulfilled.

****After the race, I was definitely wiped out, my blood pressure (as expected) dropped and I made sure to lay on the grass a few minutes. They had these wrap slices there which I thought was a great idea- I got a turkey (like not a whole “wrap” but those segments)- and it had lettuce and tomato and I was so thankful for something like this, until I bit into it and there was bacon inside and I had to literally like roll it out of my mouth before I got sick. Luckily, they also had diet soda which is just a necessity for me at the end, and chocolate milk, Chobani yogurt. I think having the milk and yogurt (I kind of spread them out over an hour because so much dairy scared me!!) helped my recovery because I felt honestly fine after I got into dry clothes. I went into the ocean all afternoon and next day was carrying on with more hikes in this magical land, God's playground.

Part of me is curious what my legs would have been able to do if they weren’t sore from the 10 mile hike day that I did down to the canyon/back up/ then to the napali coast… but honestly I wouldn’t change that- those hikes are unforgettable. I’d love to go back and do this race again… (or just live there!)

I didn't stop smiling much for this entire 26.2:) Ended up winning my NEW and OLDER age group! and was 10th woman overall- very proud of that, but mostly just proud of going after my dream and training really hard, putting myself completely out there!