A Tough Triple Trek

I probably didn't prepare quite properly--a quart+ of Rocky Road Ice cream and a few beers, a far out carbo loading I quess--and I knew I had a problem with my right calf, but I didn't expect it all to go south on me less than 40 minutes into the race. But on my way up Moleka, after hitting 30 something at the bottom, I felt my calf tighten and knew it was not going to be a great run. I slowed and watched a lot of people go by, and just paced out the tight calf. It went on this way to the top of of Manoa Cliffs, and then down the switchbacks on the opposite side, and along Kalawahine.

Earnest caught me back on Kalawahine, his ankle was bothering him, but he was doing better than me. I followed him for a while, then lost him, caught him again at the aid station and then he moved ahead of me once again. The time was not that bad really. I was still doing a sub 2:15 pace but I needed a 1:45 on the first lap to break 6:00. My emotions ran from rage to despair, but never to humor. I caught up with somebody at the bench at the top of Hogback and found I could handle the down fairly well. Anyway I knew the line and he didn't. I just pushed on making the bottom turnaround by 2:06.

Ernest and I headed out of the aid station together, but I was feeling good and I pushed ahead, finally leaving the other guy from the drop down Hogsback behind and feeling good. Made the Big Bend by 16:30, the top of Smokeys under 22, and pushed past the bench under 30. All the times were good, but at best I was going to be breaking even perhaps. I pushed on up Moleka and across the road, making the strawberry guava patch at the top under 45. I buzzed the Cliffs, hitting the mapcase in just over 60. The back side and Kalawahine were fast, and I pushed my calf a bit hard as it loosened. I could hear Carol Bugarian and a friend up ahead of me every once in a while and managed to catch them down near the bottom of Bunyons where the small seep is. Then by Knee Knockers and the Seeps as quick as I could go. Carols friend was at my heels and I had to push down the last bit of Nahuina and onto Mangos. I lost concentration and she was behind my by the top of Hogsback and I had to run down to stay ahead. It wasn't smart but I just didn't want to be passed. I hit the aid station with a negative split doing perhaps a 1:58 or so. It was a good lap and it made the race.

The last lap was slow. I tried to chase Clem up the Center Trail and lost him before we hit the top. I made the bench around 35. My watch had reset itself and I was just guessing on times. My calf tightened a bit and before I hit the top of Manoa Cliffs I had pretty well given up. I limped into the finish with a 6:36. Sometimes you just take what you can get and move on.

I stayed around and talked and ate for about an hour as the rest of the racers came in, then helped pack up and finally made it home and to back to bed by 2:00 pm.