Aloha All!How is life going? For me, pretty good as I am in taper gearing up for race day just 9 sleeps away! You can read more about that HERE but today's post is about another race. A race much further away. In fact race day is January 30, 2016 but I won't be toeing the start line. I will be behind the scenes, or somewhat in front of the scenes, taking care of the million things that need to be taken care of in order for a race to go off without a hitch and the run, or runs in this case, be as awesome as possible.
As a runner myself, I truly care about the runners' experience during a race and as a race director, I truly appreciate the effort that goes into pulling off a race. With all these storms lined up and swirling around the Hawaiian Islands my heart goes out to the race director for the Kaua'i Marathon. If it was me and a mere couple of weeks before race day I would be watching and perhaps sweating a wee bit more. Why? Because I care.
As a race director for the Run & Walk for the Whales I care about so many teeny tiny details. Details I hope you as participants never have to think of. This goes beyond timing, course set-up, and race bling to how many cups we need and where, how many bottles of water and where, that the signs are set up in the exact right place so participants aren't misled on race distance, that police officers are at key points and know the course, that medical aid is on stand by, that post race food and festivities is in place and that the food will span the needs of those with special diets. Yes, I am dairy free and I think about that. If someone can't eat dairy, is there something for them? If someone is gluten free, is there something for them? Can participants find the food, the porta potties, etc? Is there something to keep family and friends engaged while their loved ones run?Guess what? For the Run & Walk for the Whales the answers are yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
The course is an out and back (the walk is a loop) and is relatively flat but be warned, you are starting at one of the windiest harbors in the world. Yep, it has the potential to be quite windy but trust me, if you run against the wind, you will have the wind at your back later and often towards the end of the race. No promises though. I can't control the wind, the rain, or any other natural factors but I do run and love this course. Yes, I run along this course myself as I do love it and its views. In fact, all of the photos included in this post are from my recent runs along the course.The race consists of a half marathon, 10K run, 5K run, a 2.5 mile walk, and a virtual option when you join the Virtual Team. There is something for everyone...even your kiddos. If you have young ones who may not like hanging out while you race with your significant other or perhaps you and hubby want to run, sign them up for a special edition of Ocean Camp offered on race day from 6:00 am to 10:00 am. The Pacific Whale Foundation education team will look after and entertain your little ones and they just may come back to you knowing a bit more about our precious oceans. How cool is that? And yes, that was a personally motivated add-on to the race since dear hubby and I often race and wonder, who will watch darling daughter? What if more races offered this option? Wouldn't that be cool?!
So what are you waiting for? Join me today! You can register for the race HERE or the virtual team HERE.Daily Gratitude: I am thankful that I can use my personal running and racing experiences to direct the Run & Walk for the Whales.
Daily Bible Verse: So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12
