North Shore Triathlon, Sandbar and Surfing
Trip Start
Apr 22, 2005
1
8
49
Trip End
??? ??, 2006
Honolulu,
Hawaii,
United States
Sunday, May 29, 2005
On Wednesday (May 25th) we went to Dave & Busters..who would ever think that the place would be so busy late into the night..people actually dressed up to go there (and all this time I thought you go there to play arcade games, not to hook up)..I just had to mention D&B b/c I know in T.O it's not quite the hangout it is here..anyhow..
Thursday night we played poker at Casey's and it was a larger group, 15 people. We had two tables and the game didn't get going until after 1am. I am proud to say that I was one of the last five and Phuong was 3rd so she got some moolah. We didn't get home till about 445am which was unfortunate because I had to work at 10am :( On a brighter note, it was the day before the race so a lot of people were in the store buying stuff as we have a sale going on (I of course picked up some stuff for myself b/c I just can't resist). I have never in my life worked retail and before the store opened Hina (one of my bosses, she's such a sweetie) asked if I could help sweep up the store. Ok, stop laughing, I actually did sweep but I'm definitely not a domestic diva..(right Gordy/Jenny?! Gordy actually laughed at me one time when he came home and saw me sweeping the kitchen..he said I looked like I'd never held a broom in my life!). Anyhow, as I've said, I've never worked retail before but I am actually having fun. Raul (Hina's husband) is impressed with my selling skills (which I didn't know I possessed) and is surprised that I can chat up the customers with such ease..hmmm..new career??
Friday was my day to cook dinner and since I didn't feel like cooking I took Phuong and Cat out for dinner..we went to Cheeseburger in Paradise and the only reason I mention it is b/c the burgers were damn good and the guacamole was the bomb. Never ever has Catherine finished a meal before me and this time she actually did, so we know it was good. I had to go to bed early that night because I had to leave for the North Shore at 4am..I went to bed at 10 (can't remember the last time that happened) and got up at 3am to get ready..Dawn (our landlord) picked me up at 4am and we began the trek north. It took awhile to get there and we had our bikes in the transition area by 5am..it was actually COLD that morning and so early that the roosters were crowing (not quite the way Cat imitates them, but close enough).
**fyi, I am pissed off at myself, I just sent out the link without saving everything I wrote (which took me 2 hours) and I am now re-writing the second half of this..stupid stupid stupid**
The course was a sprint distance (400 metre swim, 10 mile/16km bike, 3 mile/5km run). I had initally hoped to complete the race in 2 hours..then I changed it to 1:45 and then 1:30 (AM I CRAZY?!).
It was an in-water start and the men began 10 minutes before the women. I don't know where the time went but all of a sudden the air gun went off and my race began! Thankfully we have practiced swim starts, so being kicked, brushed up against and swam on top of didn't really phase me. I did have contact problems when my left goggle filled with water on my last 100 metres and my contact shifted..thankfully it went back into place. Out of the water there was a 500 yard run to the bike transition area, believe me when I say I am no Baywatch babe, and running on the sand is not nearly as sexy as it looks on tv! I got to my bike, rinsed off my feet, threw on a shirt, shoes and my helmet and off I was peddaling..I've always thought cycling was my weakest sport (I have since found out it is in fact my strongest) and I motored along at an average pace of 17 mi/hr or 27.2 km..I actually passed people which was a great feeling! It was a pretty easy course, very flat until the turnaround point which was hilly...I finally got back to the transition area and got rid of the bike and helmet and began my run..ouch, my legs felt like bricks and I was more walking then jogging at the beginning..It took almost the full first half of the run until my legs loosened up. The sun was behind me so my shadow was in front of me, and all I could think as I ran was: OH MY GOD, are my hips really that big!?! So it was a bit of motivation for me to pick up my pace! I had hoped to get in by 8 am and I crossed the finish line at 7:58..the clock said 1:33..I had wanted to finish in 1.5 hours, but 3 extra minutes was not going to kill my race high! Imagine how excited I was when I found out that was the TIME CLOCK and they had to take into account the fact that the women started 10 minutes later, so my official time is actually 1:23:35! Whoo-hoo, I am a superstar! The camraderie of traithletes is amazing and people are constantly giving words of encouragement and support so the whole race was a positive experience and I would recommend to anyone that triathlons are a fantastic sport take up.
I would like to give kudos to my friend James who has always been there to tell me to keep on going, that I could do it, that I'm doing an amazing job..he always gets bummed out that he's one of the slower guys in our group (not that it matters to anyone in our group). He has muscular dystrophy and I admire the fact that even when he is in pain, he keeps on going, he is always positive and always has a smile on his face. He lives life with such gusto, I can't help but admire his positive outlook..AND he finished the race in 1:24!!
No surprise that I got home by 1030 am and the girls were still sleeping! I basically k.o'd for the rest of the day (and night!)...but what an amazing feeling my first race was!!
Memorial Day was on Monday and most people had a long weekend (for us girls, every day is a long weekend!). Casey invited us to go with his family to the sandbar in Kaneohe. It was an early day (we were at the Ho residence by 930am! eek that is EARLY!) and we packed 4 cars full of food, kayaks and other beachy stuff. We had a quick group prayer for a safe day and off we went. I know that I'm not doing this place justice with my description and pictures, but it is what it sounds like. A sandbar in the middle of the ocean where the water is about ankle deep. It was about a 10 minute boat ride out to it and when we got there, there was already a tent, table and a barbeque set up. How totally cool to eat barbeque in the middle of the ocean! And by the way, the food was OH SO ONO!! Casey's mom is an awesome cook, and the shortribs..yum! We spent the day looking out at the boats, (from a distance, the people hanging out by the boats look like they're standing on top of the water), lying in the water, the guys played frisbee, some went kayaking..other just chilled out, drank and ate. It was a perfect day of leisure and it is something you have to experience because my words are not enough. Afterwards, we went back to Casa Ho where Casey's mother had warm brownies and ice cream waiting (ummm..is this my dream come true or what??!). I must say that Casey's family is awesome and I don't think I have ever met a more welcoming family that truly exemplifies the aloha spirit.
I am sad to report that on Tuesday we sold our car. Yup, we got rid of it (for a $50 profit!! Whoo hoo we tricked someone into buying it for $700)...and we are now in the process of looking for a jeep..
That night (Tuesday) we went to play poker at Derwin's (and surprise surprise, we brought Casey!)..we had a nice time with Derwin, Cy, Garren, and other people whose names I don't remember..and we ended up playing a game called True Colours afterwards..I think we didn't get home till 4am..very fun game!
I have been a bit under the weather so Wednesday night poker was spent sleeping at Casey's while everyone else played..that was fine with me although I was a little surprised when they woke me up at 545am! Hello! Can these games go any longer??! Phuong was on a bit of a sugar high (no more Strawberry-Orange juice for her!) and Catherine was a zombie..I was my usual cranky self when I'm woken up and Casey drove our butts home (sucks to have no car!) to sleep for a few hours before we went surfing..
He picked us up around 2 and we went in search of some waves. The surf report called for 2-3 foot waves which doesn't sound very big but Hawaiians measure their waves differently, from the back, so it was actually 4-6 feet (I have to reconfirm that with my expert)..it was frightening and us girlz were very hesitant. Phuong and I got pummeled by some waves and I have learned that when Casey says to TURTLE! I had better do it quickly! (That is when the wave is coming at you, you flip under your board and hold it above your head until the wave passes).
Casey caught waves (of course) but he also caught a board in his face (his own board!) and Catherine and I actually heard it hit him. He is now rugged and 'dangerous' looking with a bump/bruise on his nose and cheek..ah yes, the ladies will like that!
Phuong mananged to briefly catch a wave and in her words: "I got up, saw the coral beneath me and got scared..it was SCARY!" I personally caught a wave accidentally. Catherine had called to me that a wave was coming and I tried to paddle out of the way but it caught me..I was just hoping to hold on and then I felt it lift the back of the board and it was carrying me without my paddling so I stood up (I was up for all of 10 seconds) before I got scared and jumped off. It was exhilirating and frightening all at the same time, but I have 'caught' my first big wave..whoo hoo! Afterwards we went to Dixie Grill for crab-legs galore and ate until we were stuffed..it was a fantastic day.
I'm supposed to be at work right now, but my boss said she had to take her kids out and to come in tomorrow instead..I love my job! Soooo..I'm off to get a mani/pedi as I feel like I need some pampering..
Link to most recent pics:
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAMWrNs4aM3Dug
