Kona Kupuna Run Diary #1: Setting goals

I'm inspired to start a run journal here now that I've been running a lot more this year. Here's my first entry:

Rivers of sweat running down my legs on a recent training run, which will eventually dry, crystallize, and become 100% pure Hawaiian salt (enhanced with the delectable taste of sunscreen)!

If you've ever run alongside Aunty Jolene, or witnessed her slowly shuffling along the highway, you know there are only two ways I could run a sub-2 hour half:

#1- By injecting myself with speed/steroids; or

#2- By running a downhill race course, preferably in tandem with item #1.

I suppose there's always the option of doing something like a 'rigorous training plan'...but I will tell you that the words 'Jolene' and 'unwavering self discipline' have yet to be uttered in the same sentence. More commonly, you'll hear my name associated with phrases like '...ate the whole big bag of chips' and '...well at least she tried.'  

In recent years, I've joked that if I ever formed a running group, it would be called the 'Kona Kupuna*,' and our logo would be a tired-looking petroglyph shuffling along, cane in hand, just slightly behind a turtle. (If you have the graphic abilities to sketch that out for me, I would love you forever). 

*kupuna = grandparent or elder in Hawaii

I run for the therapeutic, social and health benefits, and speed is not one of them. As a result, 'mediocre' would be a veeeeery generous word to describe my running portfolio. Not that I haven't had a few moments of glory! I have placed in my age group twice- once at a YMCA race about 12 years ago (YES, others showed up...mostly kids, but that's not the point). The second time was at a pancake benefit run in South Kona- and we all know those kinds of races tend to attract hordes of highly competitive, top-notch athletes. I just try not to mention these accomplishments very often (no more than three or four...maybe seven times TOPS annually), or people will start to have higher expectations for me.

Though it's hard to top these types of milestones, once in a blue moon, I work up the nerve to try and do something outside of my comfort zone. I'm not kidding when I tell you it takes months, even years, to work up the nerve to convince myself. Needless to say, it doesn't happen often...but when it does, my most notable running accomplishments would be:

• Running my first ultra (a 50k) about seven years ago;
• Running 26.2 (from Mauna Lani to Kona's Old Airport about five years ago and raising nearly $1800 in the process for The Trevor Project (which runs the nation's only teen suicide hotline specifically for LGBTQ youth at risk); and
• Setting a marathon PR of 4:25 a little over a year ago (like a true role model, I did this without any actual increase in training- I just let gravity work its magic and selected a fast, downhill race course). I don't recommend this strategy, btw...mostly because it hurts a lot when you don't train properly.

This year, I've set two new run goals for myself, both of which require some degree of effort and training. This is waaaay outside of my comfort zone, but I'm about two months in, limping my way through it.

The first goal is to set a PR for the half. Once again, I've found a fast, downhill half course (and yes, this is cheating a bit). But unlike the full, I wanted to train a little better on this go 'round. I'm making an effort to do a few preparatory downhill runs and speed work once a week.

My current PR on the half is a 2:06 back in '06. I'm now thirteen years older and a lot more...ah...'voluptuous and full figured', so even with the downhill benefit, this will be a challenge.  The truth is, my original goal was a sub-2. I downloaded a training program a few months ago, but about 3-4 weeks into it, my Achilles started to flare up (I have an issue with this from time to time). So I made the difficult decision to cut back on speed work sessions by half, and just do it one day a week (vs. the two days/week the program recommended). I figured it was better to avoid injury and still be able to make it to the starting line than to not make it at all.

A sub-2 requires a 9:09/mile. This is about 1:30 minutes faster per mile than my current granny pace. With my recent training and a downhill grade, I've found that I can hold the 9:09 pace somewhat comfortably for about 5-7 miles, maybe a few more miles on a good day...but 13 doesn't quite seem possible with my limited speed work. I am definitely low on gas by mile 10, so I anticipate the last three mile stretch (which flattens out quite a bit) will be grueling for me.

Still, I'm continuing to hobble through with my modified training plan- running four days a week, one of which is speed work. Most runs have gone according to plan, but today was terrible example of a failed effort. I had a 16-miler schedule, but my legs felt tired/dead from mile one. I felt terrible most of the run, and all I can come up with is that I believe I was dehydrated from yesterday (only drank 6 cups of water all day), it was very humid (80% humidity) and my legs may still have been tired from my speed work on Thursday. I ran at an atrocious pace for ten miles, than walked most of the last four miles home (thereby cutting my run short by two miles). Believe it or not, in over ten years of running, I don't think I've never cut a training run short. So I'm still kind of stunned that it happened, and of course, pretty disappointed. It means I'll have to adjust my training plan, and now I can't help but feel like my half-goal is fading fast. As it is, every star and planet would have to align on race day- no digestive issues, great night of sleep, strong, injury-free legs, perfect nutrition, etc. just to be close to 2 hours, forget about breaking it. I'd be lying if I didn't say I'm still not hoping to break two hours, but I need to be realistic.

Although today's run imploded and was aborted prematurely, a few things have gone somewhat smoothly:

• I've been training for about 8 weeks now, running four days a week. A  few of the runs are back to back, which are difficult for me...so I'm getting a little stronger.
• I've noticed a gradual improvement in my speed.
• I'm diligently stretching after most runs, and have Rich using the foam roller on me after any grueling runs.
• I ran 90% of the race course to scout it out/strengthen the quads, and am planning to do it one more time before race day.

Truthfully, I'm feeling a bit stronger and faster than I have in years, so even if I fall short on race day, this has all not been for naught. Because far more importantly, this training is more of a stepping stone to a much bigger goal/dream I have set for myself in May (which is my second run goal for the year). I won't share it until I'm closer to 2/3 way through the training for that goal, as I want to be sure that I'll be able to do it. I will say it's a distance I haven't run in a long time, and it's for a cause that really resonates deep inside of me. I'm extremely nervous about it, but I know from past experience that if I ignore the negative thoughts and just plow ahead...things will probably be okay.

A few pics of the journey thus far-

A recent solo training run on the Hokulia bypass

Scouting the race day course with old friends and new, darting over hundreds of flattened, dried 'mice jerky' for miles. I hope the island's owl population is aware of this free buffet. 

Running toward the ocean with Mauna Kea looming behind us. The pounding did hurt the next day...which is great. Torn, sore muscles = stronger muscles...so I just need to do it again in the next week or two if I can.