Xterra Trail Run

Yesterday Landry and I ran our first 10k and also our first trail run. I am not a runner. I enjoy exercise and doing pretty much anything active, but running has never been something I like to do. However since living in the beautiful aloha state I have found a true love for hiking. Hiking has been one of the best things for Landry and my relationship. We can walk and talk for hours. We love being outdoors and have found it to be a great activity to do together. Some hikes have beautiful views or waterfalls that make the trek worth it, while others are more about challenging yourself and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Hiking is obviously great for the body, but I have found it also to be great for my soul. I love being surrounded by God's beauty, from the green grass and all the beautiful different trees to the chirping birds.

I say all that to say that while I do not enjoy running on the concrete or tredmill or on a track, I love running through the woods on a trail. One of the first trails Landry and I did when we moved to Hawaii was Manoa waterfall trail. It is a pretty easy beginner hike, but it is on the rainy side of the island and it is usually really muddy. On our way back from the waterfall it began to rain on us and we decided to run and it was so much fun. We felt like kids splashing through the puddles and not caring how muddy we got.

Manoa Trail

Soaking wet from the rain.

 

Trail running is very different from normal runs because you have to constantly think about your next step so you don't trip on a root our a rock. With my mind focusing so much on all the obstacles in my path I forget all about how much I hate running and it becomes more like a game to me.

Landry watched something about the Xterra trail run on the discover channel before we moved to Hawaii and he had his mind set on running in it. Like I have mentioned before I am not a runner and as for Landry he rarely exercises except the occaisonal basketball pick up game and the once a week hiking we do. But Landry signed us up for the 10k instead of our normal 5k. Neigther of us have ever ran more than 4 miles and we did not train for this race because it was a last second decision to do it. I am glad we did it, but I wish I would have trained since this is no walk in the park type of run. There was lots of hills and I thought my legs were going to fall off, but we finished it and felt proud of ourselves. It took us about an hour which is definately not a record setting time, but not shabby for first timers.

Team E.X.T.E.M.E.

Team xtreme is a group of military guys that help wounded soilders. Before the race started they skydived to the starting line. Then they ran the entire 21k half marathon. They took turns caring the soilder with no legs that is on the ground in this picture on their backs for the entire race.

Yes we even stopped to take a picture during the race. Landrys main focus was snapping pictures of the scenery and mine was to make it to the finish line before my legs collapsed.

 

Team xtreme is a group of military guys that help wounded soilders. Before the race started they skydived to the starting line. Then they ran the entire 21k half marathon. They took turns caring the soilder with no legs that is on the ground in this picture on their backs for the entire race.

Sorry for all the pictures of my backside running, but like I said Landry was snapping lots of photos. Since he was behind me thats all the pictures we got.

After the race we headed to the north shore to take a nap on the beach. There have been lots of surf competitions lately and we were hoping to catch one, but the waves were not high enough. So we took a couple pictures of the set up which was pretty cool to us.

 

This is Waimea beach one of our favorites to go catch some good waves. We can body board for hours here and leave with swimsuits full of sand.

 

Psalm 8:3-9

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord how majestic is your name in all the earth!