2010 Ford Island Bridge 10K Run

After the race

Back in April we completed our first organized race in Hawaii - the 2010 Ford Island Bridge 10K Run, the largest 10K in Hawaii with 3,000 participants.  This flat course took us across the Admiral Bernard Clarey Bridge (aka Ford Island Bridge), around Ford Island itself, and back across the bridge.  The USS Arizona Memorial was nearly visible and we could catch a glimpse of the USS Missouri as we headed over the bridge.  In addition to the historic hangars and other World War II-era buildings we were treated to a double rainbow.  For our first race, it was o.k.; the course was fun but there were lots of headphones and not much crowd support, likely due to the island being closed to the general public.

Running has been a challenge thus far.  When we arrived in October it was hot and humid; all runs had to be completed by 8 a.m. or started after 6 p.m.  It also got dark around 6:30 p.m. and while drivers seem to be respectful of runners and cyclists it is still unnerving to run in the shoulder in the dark.  The weather made it easier as winter came but now it's heating up again.  We're still searching for a good group, too.  (We do miss Howard County TNT.)  All of our travels over the past year haven't given us the opportunity to enter more races, but we're hoping a half marathon will be on the calendar next year.  We also have many more athletic distractions; it's hard to get motivated to go for a long run when there's kayaking, paddling, and hiking pulling our attention.