Posts Tagged ‘Running’

The annual run through the mud, or Swamp Romp, was this weekend at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base and was as muddy as ever. We have pictures from the action below.

Races prep by duct taping the shoes, pants, shorts, shirts, dresses, their everything, so they don’t loose it in the mud. That’s right, I said dresses. This race attracts all sorts of interesting costumes as the races try and outdo each other from head to tow. This year saw super heroes, prom dresses, divas, and more.

For the past several weeks I have been reluctantly preparing for a race. My friend wanted someone to buddy up with in case the others in her group ran too fast. Paddling and biking I do regularly, but the last time I went running I fell head over heels into the bushes, resulting in a disgusting staph infection. However, I thought it was time to jump back on the horse, so to speak, and agreed to join her.

My first clue that this might not be an ordinary race was the pigtails requirement. In hindsight I should have asked more questions.
Arriving right on time we pulled in behind a line of cars parked on the side of the road. We noticed that most of the people were wearing funny hats. Court jester hats, Cat in the Hat hats, hats with ears and a host of others. Was it possible that the race requirements had been changed? It turned out that down the road from the starting place was a “funny hat” wedding reception. Inevitably the pigtail group and the funny hat group kept getting mixed up.

And the race wasn’t actually a race after all, it was a run, or walk or even a crawl if one so desired. The men wore pigtails too, albeit more creatively as we saw one with a pink homemade curly cue pinned to the back of his shorts. I think my second clue (perhaps I am not too quick) was that some of the runners were leaning on their cars drinking beer. I did notice that most people were wearing quality running shoes – except for the girl in slippers, who actually finished before we did.

At 2:45pm, right on time, two runners were dispersed to lay the trail using flour markings. That is when we were called into the virgin circle. This was our first Hash House Harrier Run. We were given instructions on to read the flour markings along the trail. The advance runners, referred to as hares would not only mark the true trail but would mark false trails to throw off the hounds who would set out after the hares at 3:00pm. We were the hounds.

The serious runners started out first and then we ran with the tail of the pack. The trail went up through rain forest above Kona, and it was beautiful with the sun streaming through the trees and the cool moist air keeping us from overheating. However, the trail was extremely rocky and in some places vines grew across it. The gradual incline seemed to go on forever until we came upon our first beer stop. What kind of crazy people drink alcohol during a run? We chose water and passed other runners for the next few minutes. After a while the incline was so steep and the path so narrow that it was all we could do to keep a brisk walking pace. Luckily, more experienced Hashers were in front of us calling out, “On, on,” which meant we were on the right trail.

Stopping at the third beverage break we were hot, sweaty and wondering how far the trail really was. This time we were offered Jell-O shots and we gladly accepted. After that we perked up and made pretty good time to our next beer. Needless to say, it was quite entertaining. By the time we got back to the start a party was going on and people cheered as if we had all accomplished a great feat. There were honors bestowed and we virgins graduated to hashers as the beer flowed.

So maybe all that training hadn’t been necessary, but I ended up meeting fun people, going for a hike, learned I like Jell-O shots, and was referred to as a virgin all day. I am definitely going to this again.

Hash House Harrier runs are held in 183 countries, so find one near you and check it out.

copyright © 2009 by Johanna Kim (Life After Forty)

This Sunday at 5:00 a.m. thousands from around the world will gather at the starting line to kick off the Honolulu Marathon. The 26 mile course begins at Ala Moana Beach Park and goes through Honolulu, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Kahala.

Not yet registered for the race? Don’t worry it’s not too late to join! Late registration is still being accepted. Bring your entry form down to the Hawaii Convention Center, 1801 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu,HI, Saturday between 9 a.m-5p.m. to register. The late registration cost for International and U.S. residents (including Hawaii residents) is $200. If you haven’t been training and preparing for the 26 mile race it’s probably best to take it easy and join the non-competitive 10k run/walk instead. The late registration cost is $50 and the run/walk is scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m.

Not interested in participating in the 26 mile race or 10k run/walk? Well, I suggest you still head down to join in on the fun and enjoy the free live entertainment. At 11:00 a.m. Natural Vibrations will hit the stage and at 12 p.m. ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro will perform.

For more information on the entire event such as parking information, maps of the courses, and race week events or for printable versions of the entry forms visit www.honolulumarathon.org.