Marathon 2004

I have goals to do several things before I die and one was actualized. I finished a marathon in Honolulu, Hawaii.

I trained for over a year and a half, but for reasons out of my control, my first attempt was thwarted. Before I hit 14 training miles for good ol' Portland Marathon, my knee started giving me trouble after a training run in New York. My IT band tightens and pulls my knee out of alignment, as per my physical therapist. Therefore, I have to take extra care when training and backed away from my original goal of Portland 2003, and built myself up for Honolulu 2004. It was literally back to mile one..


It was a long, arduous haul. I managed to overcome my obstacles, crossing the finish line, December 12, 2004, at 11:23 am.. The miles, the pain, the struggle.. All worth the elation for a goal realized.

I proceeded to a massage given in a tent for all the runners and walkers. I walked 4 miles back to my hotel, showered and walked to eat. I ate a full order appetizers of pot stickers and the biggest chili burger with fries I have ever eaten. I was truly afraid of sitting. I thought I would never be able to stand again!! The action of bending, straining my muscles to support and lift my frame was agonizing.


The next day, I hiked up Diamond Head with a handful of people I met and flew out that night back home. What an experience! Dude, four of my toenails fell off.. Ick!