A whole lot of ... H.U.R.T.

Signs of spring are popping up throughout most of the country which means that trail running becomes more fun!  Of course here in Hawai'i we can't really tell when spring comes although we have been getting a lot of rain lately; perhaps that is meant to be our sign.  I was doing a bit of searching to see if I could find a short St. Patty's Day run to use for my training when I came across H.U.R.T. Hawai'i. 

Of course I just had to click the link and find out what that was all about.  What I found was the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team's website and racing series.   All of their trail races are designed to increase miles starting at 6 and culminating in a 100K race at the end of October.  They are staged on local Oahu trails and are quite cheap to enter, so I thought what the heck!  The first race is this Saturday and will likely be a bit slow for me, however it will be a nice change from my pavement training around Mililani and the treadmill grind.  Now if I can just kick this budding cold so I can breathe!

I have added their race schedule to my Race Calendar and we'll see how I feel about doing a 50K and 100K when the time comes around but it might be a fun challenge.  A bucket list kind of accomplishment for sure!

• March 17 ~ Moanalua 6 Mile
• April 7 ~ Vi's Top of Tantalus Memorial 7 mile
• May 5 ~ Run with a View 8+ mile
• June 9 ~ Mango Madness 10+ mile
• July 7 ~ Kaena Point Firecracker 10 mile
• August 11 ~ Maunawili Out & Back 22 mile & Relay
• September 1 ~ Tantalus Triple Trek 50k
• October 27 ~ Peacock 100K

http://hurthawaii.blogs.com/2012HURTTrailSeriesSchedule2-3-12.pdf

A Bitter Pitcher

"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade."  It is a statement that I try to remember when things are particularly difficult or frustrating.  This past month has been incredibly difficult for one of my honorees and I can't help but think her pitcher of lemonade must be quite bitter at this point.  Some days and weeks make it much harder to look on the bright side of things and test our faith on all levels.

My cousin has been fighting MS her entire life - first as she watched her father battle, and ultimately lose to, the disease.  She was then diagnosed with MS herself and although medicines are much better than when my uncle was first diagnosed, there is still no cure.  Now in February, she and her husband buried their youngest son.  It feels like a lot of lemons for one life, one pitcher.

As I renew my training with a passion this weekend, I remind myself that working many hours of overtime and being tired at the end of a day/week are tiny excuses compared to the struggle of others.  I am more committed than ever to do my part to find a cure for this disease.  While I can't take away my cousin's lemons, perhaps I can add a cup of sugar to the mix.  Help me by donating to this important cause and let's find a cure, together!