December 2009

Aloha, I have not blogged since I returned back to Hawaii from Tennessee so I thought the best way to catch up would be do a December in a snapshot. I started the month off by going to check out the freshly shipped in Christmas Trees at Ala Moana Mall.

This stand is in the parking area and it smelled heavenly.... That was the best part!!

I didn't have a tree this year, but my heart was filled with Cheer!

Cheering for Friends that were competing in Ironman Western Austrailia

Habitiat for Humanity in Waiamanalo with some shipmates from work

I got to witness the "EDDIE"!! The last time this event was held was in 2004. An unbelievealbe event! To learn more about it: http://live.quiksilver.com/2009/eddie/history.php?btn_history=_over

XTERRA Trail Run Worlds.... Kualoa Ranch 13.1 miles of fun

Christmas Lights Ride part 1 :-) Fun Fun!!

I got horrible news that my Nanny died. I flew home to be with my family and say good-bye. She is in my dreams alot lately so I think that means that she is watching over me.

This is My Pappa, I love him so much. He loves his lawnmower!

I got to meet my 3rd cousins for the first time

Me & my beautiful Mom.... horseing around at Opryland Hotel

Me & My handsome Dad

After returning back to the island.... I got back on my bike and headed to the beach! Winter Is Here!!

Christmas Eve kicked off with a nice ride to North Shore with Maggs, it was such a beautiful day. After the ride we enjoyed omlets and got ready for Christmas Eve at Jody's house. Wonderful Food & Entertainment provided by Wii Fit/Maggs & John.

Weekend before Christmas was Bikefactory Lights Ride part 2.

WHAT FUN!!!

You better watch out, you better not cry..........

Rolling in my 5 point O

New Years Eve was spent at the beach with my friends. This guy was taking a nap in the sun.

I am in my happy place!

I love spending time with these gals, what a great day to close out a spectacular year!

2009 has been the YEAR OF MY LIFE! I can't imagine life getting any better...... but I sure do hope for more suprises in 2010.

Xterra 21K @ Kualoa Ranch

Ok, I have to tell how I got signed up for this race in the first place! I am extremely glad that I did it and I had a super fun time :-)

Ok, so after my Chief Induction/Transition or whatever you want to call it... I decided I wanted to train for the marathon. The Boca Group (people that I like to train with) were already at 10+ miles during the week and at almost 15 for the weekend so I had some catching up to do. I started out slowly building up the miles. I was having fun and taking it easy, I participated in the 30k and suprised myself by running the longest distance of my life 18 miles. I thought, If I can do this? I can do the marathon. Maybe a week or two later, I got this yucky pain in my foot and got "scared" by reading about Plantar Fasciitis....... Anyways, My friend Allison and I were both dealing with "little things" going on in our body. She said she was going to run the XTERRA 21k and I said that sounded more entertaining that the Marathon down the same road that we are always on so I was excited to sign up. I just fear injuring something and having to wait a long time to heal or fear making a little injury worse by over-doing it.

I am really glad that this all worked out the way it did, I had a great race and got WAY TO MANY PHOTOS!!! Here are some that I wanted to share: hope you enjoy them What a beautiful parking lot.......

Best part of racing is running into great friends that you otherwise don't get to see!

Tons of people gathered for a beautiful day Not only does he have a nice outfit, he is barefoot! What a backdrop to a finish lineThe 21K (13.1 mile run) Started at 9am, followed by a 10k and then a 5k The first part of the run is nothing but UP!

Yes, I spent a lot of energy on the run getting great pictures!

I figure if I am not trying to place then why not enjoy every little second. I even made some new friends on the trail!

Kualoa Ranch is over 3,000 acres

More Climing!!

Almost There??? Let's see what is around corner #1

I loved getting to splash in the creek! The cold water was refreshing

Yes, I smiled through most of the run!! (Well, maybe not the HUGE HILLS)

Had to get a picture of the canoe carved out of a tree

Is this some down hill?? YES!!!

I'll bet you money the people around me were tired of me taking photos

This tropper is also doing the marathon this Sunday!!

I thought that I would throw on a little face paint for fun, hope it didn't have cow poop in it!

Slip n Slide Time!! So much fun!!

This is my favorite part of it all!!! The friends!!!