I survived the NIKE Run yesterday! Rain had come down hard most of the run which made it even more challenging. Still, the joy of finishing (3:34 hours later) is uncomparable. And i had the best compliment yet since i took up running in 1997. Shortly after crossing the finish line yesterday, a middle aged guy who also just finished right behind me walked up to me afterwards and said "i wanted to thank you....the last hill toward Diamond Head, I usually walk it but since i saw you running it, i decided to run it with you and it was the first time i'd ever run that hill, so thanks!" Wow, it's great to know i made a small impact on that person's running life. I can retire now.....NOT!

obsessing over IKEA lights!...someday i'd like to visit Sweden to go see the original IKEA store!

my parents while visiting Pali Lookout for the first time!(tata's birthday yesterday)

Nerve-racking waiting for this Sunday's annual Nike Run.....the last of the Marathon Readiness Series and it's the longest (19 miler)before the big one in December! Although familiar with the route, i still feel intimidated running along the long stretch of Kalanianaole Hwy...and i dont know why.
...while nervously preparing for the run, i guess i can splurge on some pizza and pasta and oh, my favorite, salami sandwich....yummy!

Koko Head Trail behind me (this photo taken a few days before the hike)..it's no Mount Everest, i know!

The other day i decided to challenge myself (knowing i'm really scared of heights) and planned to hike the Koko Head Park tracks trail after work which meant hiking when the heat is most intense. This was only my second attempt and i rememer the first time i did it was early in the morning when the sun was not as harsh, but still felt panic in the middle of the hike when i realized how high it was that i refused to look down while climbing those stairs. Only when i finally reached the very last step and safely on leveled ground did i notice the tremendous beauty Hawaii was, particularly Hanauma Bay on the left and Hawaii Kai on the right and Sandy Beach famous for its dangerous sufing spots. I needed to break the routine of running especially on the treadmill and also needed to check myself if i still got the phobia of heights. I can honestly write, i still got the phobia alright...and eventhough i hated to do so, had to stop a few times and sit on the tracks not so that i can enjoy the beaty below but because i thought my heart would burst from pumping so hard! And i thought i was fit (the stairmaster at the gym is nothing!) Few days later and my thighs are still stiff! Even running 25k the week before didnt cause too much pain but this, just an hour of major stair climbing is causing more pain and discomfort. But it's all good. Conquering my fears that day and getting some major excercise at the same time were all i needed to get thru a hard week.