12/10 ~ R is For... Runners! Honolulu Marathon Recap (Photo-A-Day)

There is more than one photo in today's post.  I hope you're in a comfortable chair, this one might be kinda long!

Sunday, December 8th, was the 41st Honolulu Marathon.  Last week I visited the Marathon Expo and was really sad that I wasn't going to be running on Sunday.  I definitely am not trained for that distance and currently have an injured hamstring, so there was no way - even though I could have registered as late as Saturday. I enjoyed seeing a marathon from a different viewpoint - that of a spectator.

Les was also involved in the marathon - as part of the cycling wheelchair escort team.  The "wheelers" go out at 4:55 a.m. - five minutes before the runners.  It is very dark and since they sit low to the ground, they could easily get hit or hit pedestrians.  Roads are blocked, but pedestrians are everywhere.

The cycling crew wore official "Course Marshall" badges, with reflective vests and whistles.  They also had at least two lights in the front and two in the back of their bikes to help the wheelers see.  Their role is important and they all take it very seriously.

Les left the condo at 4:00 to meet up with the team and I wasn't far behind him.  The start line was one mile from our condo and I walked with hundreds of runners as they were making their way to the start.  Over 30,000 were registered and more than 22,000 runners finished the 26.2 mile course.

I got to the start line just as the national anthem was sung and I heard "The wheelers are off!"  After an impressive display of fireworks at 5:00 a.m. the runners were off.

 

There is also a "Race Day Walk" that starts just after all the runners are on the course.   It is a 10K.  I couldn't find any numbers on it, but it looked like several thousand were participating in this event as well.

The course did a four mile loop away from Waikiki before heading towards Diamond Head.  I hurried to the point where they would loop back around and just as I did I heard whistles.  The first of the wheelers were there and so was Les!  They were gone in a fast blur!

 

I stayed at that location for a while and saw the elite runners go by.  I knew I needed to get to the finish line before long - the wheel chair champion completed the course in just over 90 minutes last year.   The support of the race is amazing.  Volunteers are everywhere.  Honolulu Police were also on hand.  They are very protective of the runners - they don't want anyone to get in the way as the runners are coming through.

As I was making my way to Waikiki, there were some areas where spectators were sparse.  At about mile five I took this video.  The important part is the sound - that of hundreds of pounding feet.  I wanted to jump in the group and run with them!!

The main strip of Waikiki was thumping!!  Crowds were cheering loudly.  So exciting for the runners.  A bag piper was playing "Amazing Grace."  And volunteers were handing out water.

I got the finish line about 10 minutes before the champion wheeler came in at 1:31:14!

The cyclists were to leave the course at the Kapiolani Park fountain, allowing the wheelers to cross the finish line alone.  I got down there about 5 minutes before Les came in with his wheeler, the third place finisher.  The cyclists were pumped!  They loved participating in this way.  Our friend Ray said it best, "I just wish we didn't have to wait another year to do this again."

We didn't have long to wait for the winner to come in at 2:18:47 - averaging 5 minutes and 18 seconds a mile!

Placing 13th overall was the top female finisher. She came in at 2:36:02.  The ladies had a very tight finish with second coming in at 2:36:10 and third at 2:36:13!

The sun finally slipped over Diamond Head.

I watched as more runners came in, then decided it was time to head home for breakfast.  Runners were still making their way towards Diamond Head.  They had gone seven miles with many more ahead of them.  I saw these two fire fighters in full gear, including their air tanks.  Yes, they told me, they were running/walking the entire course - proving once again that first responders are top notch!

If you've ever considered running, walking, or riding in an organized event - go see one!  Check out a local 5K or a full marathon. You will be so inspired!  There are people of every shape and size, super fast to very slow, but they are all making their way to the finish line and that makes them winners.

Honolulu Marathon - December 14, 2014  - Anyone want to join me??

12/9 ~ This Is the Weather Today (Photo-A-Day)

Headlines read "Massive Winter Storm Heads East," "Ice Storm Causing Travel Havoc," "Stormy Weather Not Done Yet," and "Storms Dump Snow and Ice Across Several States."  

It's a balmy 70 degrees at 7:15 this morning.  Clear blue skies.

I just have to wonder - why aren't all our friends packing their bags for a visit??

12/8 ~ I Shop Here (Photo-A-Day)

If you've ever been to Hawaii you've seen an ABC Store or two (or two dozen!)  I was out VERY early this morning to experience the start of the Honolulu Marathon - more on that later this week.   Here are a few of the ABC Stores I saw while I was out.

I don't shop in these stores often - they've definitely overpriced, but if I need one item they are just across the street.  Sometimes convenience wins!

12/7 ~ 6 O'Clock (Photo-A-Day)

I have a three parter for 6 o'clock today.

Last night, just before 6:00, the sun was setting and sailboats were heading out...

This morning, just after 6:00, I was out for a run...

And tonight at 6:00 is the NLP Christmas Banquet!

Resentment

The world is mourning the loss of Nelson Mandela today.  The former South African prisoner, then president, died yesterday at age 95.  USA Today had 15 of his best quotes, I really like this one:

"Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies."

I don't pretend to understand world politics, and I'm sure he made his share of mistakes, but one thing Nelson Mandela was known for was how he acted when finally freed from prison.  After 27 years, he did not come out looking for revenge, but peace and reconciliation.

We have all had situations that could cause resentment.  We've been talked about, mistreated, and hurt.  Often the offender is gone from our lives, but the pain lives on.  Holding on to resentment towards someone who has moved on only hurts us.  I posted "Don't Decorate Your Cell" more than three years ago, but I was reminded of it this morning.  We can't wrap ourselves in our hurts, living there everyday, and hope to have peace.

The holidays are often very painful times for people.  The "most wonderful time of the year" brings families together and hurts are revisited.  Know this - some people will never change, even family members.  They will continue in their behaviors, leaving a path of destruction in their wake and walking away unscathed.

Jesus said in John 10:10 "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  Don't drink the poison of resentment, give your hurts to Him and live abundantly.

12/6 ~ Shadow (Photo-A-Day)

Since sunrise is at 6:55 a.m., there are lots of shadows in the early morning here on Oahu.

12/5 ~ In the Cupboard (Photo-A-Day)

I thought today's photo subject was a little odd.  I don't see how "In the Cupboard" has anything to do with Christmas, unless that is where you hide gifts!  We have been blessed to have plenty in our cupboards this year, we've never gone hungry and we have an abundance of dishes, pots and pans here in our condo.  There are a few things in my cupboard at home that I've missed - mostly my crockpot, pasta maker, and blender, but Les and I have talked often about how little we really need.

12/4 ~ Tiny (Photo-A-Day)

I struggled with finding something tiny today.  Everything about Christmas seems so huge and often over the top.  When we walked into the lobby last night, we were greeted with the scent of pine from this non-tiny tree...

I finally saw this tiny rocking horse at the management office today.

Thanksgiving 2013

We had a great Thanksgiving this year.  It was our turn to be with the McElhaney family, so we made the journey to Wewahitchka, Florida.  Like many families I know, Thanksgiving is the holiday for extended family.  As families grow, Christmas becomes more intimate, but for Thanksgiving the bigger, the better.

Bill McElhaney - "Pops"

Cousins - Scott Robbins and Les

There were twenty six descendants of Bill and Marie McElhaney in attendance this year.  Aunt Bobbie Crabtree turned 90 this summer and her great granddaughter, Ella, was the youngest at four.

Ella Crabtree

Aunt Bobbie, with her son, Allen, and his son-in-law, Bill Hobson

Brian and Barb Abernathy

The weather was a bit crazy.  It was warm on Tuesday, a storm blew in and dropped more than three inches of rain.  The Gulf of Mexico was really rowdy!

After the storm, the temperatures plummeted to the 30s on Wednesday.  It was sunny, windy and cold, but after sitting so much Monday and Tuesday - I went running and Les went for a bike ride anyway! 

 

I love the different colored houses on the Port St. Joe Penninsula.

The Gulf was calm once again.

This clan knows how to make a great camp fire to keep everyone warm.  Cousin Scott gave lessons to any who wanted to listen and learn...

Scott's son, Dusty, trying his hand at chopping wood!

Check out those coals!  We had two fires going for our large group.  Aunt Bobbie's shoes got so hot the rubber soles separated from the rest of the shoe and an unnamed girl from Hawaii was seen with smoke coming off one boot...

Before we knew it, it was Friday morning and time to start making our way back to Atlanta.  Sliding glass doors make taking selfies really easy!

We stopped at Cracker Barrel in Dothan, Alabama.  I don't usually play this game, but Les was on the phone and I decided to give it a try.  "Genius" on the first try!

I'm married to a genius - he won the game while talking on the phone!

It was dark when we traveled through downtown Eufaula, Alabama on the way down on Monday.  I was glad to see it in the daylight.  I love big old homes!

We got to see one more branch of the family - we stayed with Shana and Tara Crabtree in Atlanta on Friday night.  We met them at Gumbeaux's.  Spicy red beans and rice, with a side of hush puppies, was just the ticket after turkey and dressing.  I didn't take a single picture of the family or food, but both were exceptional!

We experienced winter for a week and now we are happily back in the land of palm trees and tropical breezes!

12/3 ~ Silver (Photo-A-Day)

We are packing once again.  This should be our final flight of the year!  Normally this week there would be lots of silver, red, green, and sparkle going on at our house.  We've decided to stay in Hawaii for Christmas, so the decorations are staying in the closet.  It's kinda sad today, but it won't be when we come home to a clean house post-Christmas!

I decided I could get away with a few snowmen.

I hope these guys don't melt before we get back, they seem to be sitting in the sunshine.

Have you decorated yet?  Do you go all out with your decorations, just a little, or nothing at all?

12/2 ~ Where I Stood (Photo-A-Day)

I went for a 7 mile trail run this morning.

This is the halfway point.

I stood there briefly to catch my breath before heading back down.

December Photo-A-Day Challenge

I decided to finish 2013 doing a Photo-A-Day Challenge.  I will have some other posts (Thanksgiving recap and more) but we travel back to Hawaii on Tuesday and will be there through Christmas. I thought it would be fun to show how our island dresses up for the holidays!  Here is the list if you want to join in:

And today's RED: