Away.....To the Sun

4:30 am, I'm suddenly wide eyed awake and jump out of bed, too excited to sleep. The night before I loaded up the essentials: Paddleboard, surfboard, running shoes, and books for a trip to the Kona side. Before the two hour ride over I went out into the chilly pre dawn morning for a run. Running through the fog filled crater with mist hanging from my skin like dew a symphony played in my head, I felt like I was in a Sigur Ros song.

I hoped into the Frog Ship and was off down the road. For the whole two hours I beat on my steering wheel and sung aloud, if I had not gone on a run I probably would have spontaneously combusted from being so pumped. I have been intrigued by Hualalai, the 8,200 ft. volcano that soars over Kona. I was hoping to run around up in the clouds and explore the crater up there. The trail was supposedly seven miles up Kaloko road, at around 5,000ft. The road winds through lush scenery with Ohia and Koa trees and Hapu'u ferns. I parked at the base of a super steep hill and ran up about a half mile and was surprised to see a locked gate with no trespassing signs up. I noticed someone sitting in a truck nearby and ran over to ask him if he knew anything about the trail. Turns out he works for Kamehameha schools which owns the land. He was there to detour people from using the trail. I ended up listening to Kaleo talk for almost an hour. He explained to me all the reasons for the trail being off access. It's rugged terrain and there has been a dangerous mix of hunters, bikers, runners, tourists, and nature enthusiasts. He was collecting data to figure out how frequent the trail was being used and by who. From there they will determine how to regulate public access to benefit everyone, while keeping the main focus land preservation. There was graffiti and broken beer bottles in front of the trail head. The sad truth is people can't even be trusted to not shoot up, trash or set fire to the land. With there being sacred areas up in the hills I don't blame them for preventing public access all together. Kaleo is a native Hawaiian and has an immense knowledge of history, I absorbed his stories like a sponge. He is a true caretaker of the land and has tremendous love and pride for the island. Hopefully one day I will be able to run up there but for now it was down out of the clouds and back into hot Kona. I spent a good majority of the rest of the day milling about in Kona Bay Books.

As twilight was fast approaching I went for an evening paddle out of Spencer Beach Park. The water was glassy and clear, allowing visibility of the reef below. There was a line of light from me to the setting Sun. It was tempting to just keep going out into the fading light, the sonic sirens were calling... Towards the life source of sonic bliss.





I paddled pretty far out and ended up.... In outer space. Here is an image I captured of the earth below as I floated through time and space:



....Only to end up back where I started, a mile out to sea paddling 100mph towards the sun. Shore back in the distance, visible only to my memory. I think of paddling as a combination of trail running and surfing. Being far out into the ocean powered by my own hands has the same feel as running over a 10,000ft. mountain pass. As the light was finally dimming I turned around and started making my way back to shore.



(Maui in the distance)



I was planning on running a half marathon in the morning so I parked for the evening festivities, ukulele strumming and reading before dozing off and going back into space.

(The cozy cabin of the Frog Ship)


I was woken up two separate times throughout the night by security guards and asked to move/leave where I was. The second time was around 1am! I am groggy when SUDDENLY woken up, especially when tired. Damn it I just want to sleep, I'm not doing anything wrong, I exclaimed!!!! Finally parking on some side street I pulled over and the next thing I knew it was morning. I drove to the start of the run and walked down to the tide pools and gazed out into the morning Pacific. I started the run along side about 40 others. I just cruised and ran at a comfortable, mellow pace most of the run. I hammered the last two miles down Ali'i drive, finishing in 1:23. It was nice to finish feeling good from not running too hard.


A friend from Hilo, Choy also made the drive over and had a cooler full of beer in his trunk. It was great to drink a beer at 8:30 in the morning and talk to a women running while balancing a bird on her arm! From the run it was off to Kiholo bay for a paddle. I was hoping to surf but it was flat on the leeward side so paddling it was. After floating around Kiloho for a good majority of the day it suddenly hit me that I was tired! At that point I just wanted to make it home to Volcano.

Light headed
Down the road
Why?

Trails Trails Trails

The Big Island has trails through rain forests, jungles, deserts, along the ocean, and up to 13,700 ft. At 4,000 ft. elevation Volcano is an amazing place to live. Perfect weather, cool and misty along with some of the best trails on the island.
I made a promise with myself a while back, to always live within running distance of a trail head. Volcano has felt like home since the first moment I set foot. I had no place to stay and little money yet somehow I had such a nostalgic feeling. I was content pitching a tent amongst the ferns, waking up early and spending all day exploring the trails. Almost two years later, in my house sitting by the fireplace the wanderlust has not worn off and I still find it transcending. The miles float by freely like a violin bow on the soft trails, 20 miles goes by effortlessly. Someone recently asked me what I was training for and I said without thinking, "this moment" and started laughing hysterically. All I aspire to do is be healthy enough to run and surf on a daily basis and enjoy the things I am passionate about.
The past two weeks have been full of non stop running, surfing, paddling,exploring, skating and camping..... I feel lucky to be living in such a dramatically beautiful and ecologically diverse place, along with having a job that gives me the freedom of a vagabond.

(escape road)


(crater rim trail)


(Up Side)




It's crazy to think about running on the slopes of an active volcano.











Mauna Loa
(cabin at 10,000 ft.)







Lava Flowing into the ocean, the island is constantly in flux.



(Ainapo Trail)
This trail is pure madness, climbing 8,000 feet in 10 miles.



Mana Road: Waimea end



I love having a sunrise surf and then going up to Mana Rd.(7,000 ft.) to spend the rest of the day running.

Mana Road: Saddle Road side








Pohue Bay: A short two mile hike with our boards turned into a two hour trek over jagged a'a lava, we went for a short cut. There was HUGE shore break which made for great and punishing body surfing. It was great sleeping under the full moon and waking up to the roar of the waves and the sounds of the sea.









I have been listening to The Tallest Man on Earth nonstop.

Seeing Beyond Phenomena

The Volcano weather, misty rain and chilly mornings has been inspiring and refreshing. Long runs, fireside reading, drawing, and baking have left me feeling rejuvenated. I have been living and feeling the essence of Spring, creativity and regeneration abound. Our house is a rain forest palace and I am the king of my own world.


Baking is a passion of mine. I first became interested when I walked into Costa Rican bakery 8 years ago. I was nearly knocked down from the whirlwind smells of the different bread and pastries. I was amazed at how something so simple could bring so much joy and make me that happy. While living in Bend I had the chance to be a baker at Great Harvest. I learned a lot and absolutely loved it. Waking up at 4am, baking muffins, breads, watching the sun rise over Mt. Bachelor was a great way to spend my mornings. I found it relaxing, meditative, and a fun way to create.


(The Mad Muffin Man, from my days in Bend)




5 a.m in Volcano

Fuzzy folk floating through the speakers like the drops of rain
Floating through the ferns in the foggy morning.
The smell of scones waifing from inside spark imagination
Sitting amongst the ferns rocking in my chair
Rocking to the silent sounds of my stare
Painting pictures of memories
Breathing in the mist before dissolving into it
Floating in the forest through the trails
Like a drop of dew sliding towards the sea


(I like to draw before and after running, this is a fuzzy morning time rendition of a lake near the summit of South Sister, Oregon)


My favorite thing to make for hiking/camping are scones:

DRY MIX
3/4 cup white flour
3/4 cup wheat flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

WET MIX
1 egg
1 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla
3/4 cup coconut or whole milk

Stir dry mix for about 10 minutes(yes this gets tiresome)
Stirring is key, the flour mix should be somewhat congealed

Whisk wet mix until ingredients are smooth
Add wet mix to dry, pour in a little at a time, don't want it to be to runny

Once both mixes are together add in fruit/nuts of your choosing

My personal favorite is the banana chocolate chip combo:Funky Monkey!

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 min.

Waimanu Dreamin'

This was the first week in months that Drew, Kati, and myself have been off on the same week. We kicked it off by surfing at a break I have never been to. Drew pointed out the jagged rocks barely sticking out of the water and explained the areas to avoid being stuck. I noticed there was not really a good place to get in/out of the water. He told me to time it and then paddle as hard as I can to avoid being slammed into the rocks. I was feeling a bit nervous because there were some pretty big swells rolling through, breaking in shallow water. After staring at the waves for a few minutes I took a few deep breaths and scampered across the rocks to wait for the right moment to dive in. I barely made it under the first wave as it crashed into the rocky shore. Out of breath from paddling as hard as I possibly could, I made it out unscathed. I hear a WOOO, and then see Drew flying down the face of a wave. Due to the shallow reef, the waves were breaking a lot faster than I was used to. I saw a wave coming my way and paddled, paddled, paddled, stood up and immediately lost my balance. I took a tumble and realized it wasn't as bad as it looked. I was feeling stiff but after eating it, some of the intimidation lifted and I loosened up and had some fun rides.






The unspoiled beauty and remoteness of Waimanu Valley make it one of my favorite places on earth. We brought along our boards and fins, seeking to ride waves any possible way. The highlight for me was paddling up the stream deep into the Valley, navigating through mangroves and brush. Spectacular!!

Ramblin' and Gamblin'

I have only run in a few races over the past year. My lack of competitive attitude has for the most part kept me away and has at times been a moral dilemma for myself. The main reason I run is for the solitude and sense of being it brings. I feel a part of the landscape I am running in almost dissolved and blended in with the surroundings, free of time or desire. I used to wear costumes or run in events under goofy pseudo names to make myself feel better about it. Over the past year of running strictly on my own I have been able to put things in perspective and develop a peace of mind about races. To me being competitive means being shackled by the same mindset as a greedy CEO or politician. I know that may not be the case but at least that’s how I feel about competition. Is there a difference between putting that much tenacity into running and that of climbing the corporate ladder?

In December while back in Virginia I ran the Bear Creek 10 miler. What a wild run through snowy,muddy,narrow trails with several frigid creek crossings. Participating in the event rekindled my love of running in races. Not for competitive reasons but for the power of running to bring people together. I thought how cool it was for a bunch of people to gather on a Sunday morning and go through a romp in the woods. To me that is celebrating life! Richmond has a great running community, people who are just stoked on it. I remembered how cool it was to be a part of races, running with and not against people. For the first time I ran completely detached from the outcome and ran with the surroundings, noticing the curves, twists, contours of the trail and felt the icy water as I crossed creeks. I felt like a kid and there were about 100 other people out there having a similar experience, sort of collective effervescence. In a way races are about people gathering together and celebrating the joy of running. It would maybe be more appealing if more people saw it that way as opposed to having the latest gear or worrying about shaving seconds. The key for me was being completely detached from the outcome and free of desire. I tried to just experience the moment. That was indeed a revelation. I left those Piedmont trails feeling as wild and joyous as ever.

(Before the start of the Bear Creek 10 in December)

I felt like I did in the days when I first started running. I wanted to keep this positive outlook so I signed up for the Big Island Marathon in December knowing I would have moments of cynicism that may prevent me from signing up at a later date. Thank you Kahlil Gibran for writing this:

“Your soul is a battlefield upon which your reasons and your judgment wage war against your passion and your appetite. Your reason and your passion are the rudder and the sails of your seafaring soul.”

Leading up to the Big Island Marathon I have had some solid weeks of running, 20 mile trail runs in Volcano followed by paddling in Hilo Bay for a few hours. I have come to love paddling just as much as running. They are similar medians that leave me with the same joyous feeling. The ocean and mountains are my two greatest inspirations. Despite not being able to run every other week due to my work schedule I was in decent shape and looking forward to the marathon. I was in the middle of a work week and was graciously let off to run by my supervisor Chris. The night before I made it into Hilo around midnight after being pulled over and surrounded by police cars. I just pulled out of a grocery store parking lot after buying some bagels for my pre race breakfast. I was so exhausted I forgot to turn my headlights on. I can imagine what the officers thought after seeing me with a muffin in hand and droopy eyes. I explained my situation and was let go with a warning! I managed a few hours of sleep in my van before waking up to catch the bus to the start. I barely remember anything of the bus ride except sitting in a daze. At the starting area my mind was humming like a full moon as the trees sighed in the stillness of dawn. I had no competitive aspirations, just wanted to run hard from start to finish. I loved running down the Hamakua Coast as the sun was rising. There were some pretty spectacular views of the ocean and jagged coastline that gave me inspiration early on. I thought of Jenn who was also running a marathon back in VA the same morning, and was also planning on hammering from the start. I felt uncomfortable from the start at the pace I was running but saw some humor in it. I wanted run a hard half marathon and just try to hold on for the second half. A strategy that was flawed from the moment it entered my mind, but again I thought it was funny so I went ahead and did it. The first few miles I was out of control, hooting, hollering, and singing. It seemed whenever I was having a low something, someone, or some thought would pump me up. Near mile 8 a husky puppy darted out of a bunch of banana trees and ran behind me for a few yards. I immediately thought of Ribbit and became manic and picked up the pace even more. Me and Ribbit have the ability to make one another hyper and out of control, and I thought of our wild runs through the mountains in Oregon.

(Ribbit on the slopes of South Sister)



At the halfway point I am pretty sure I went through faster than my PR of 1:16, but who knows I did not have a watch. I was starting to feel pretty crappy when I saw friends Drew and Kati on the side of the road absolutely loosing it, cheering. That was a breath of fresh air that I breathed in for a few miles. I was trying to stay positive, thinking of things that inspire me. The surf film Litmus has been highly inspirational in my life for years. I was thinking of Derek Hynd who seeks new perspectives and new ways to ride waves. Exactly the madman spirit I needed. The way he rides waves has been impactful on my running, he does not give a damn!

By mile 20 I felt like I was on a sinking ship, a sinking ship that was burning. I saw Drew and Kati again near mile 21 and they were still losing it which pumped me up but by that point not much could help my situation. I was just trying to dodge bullets, waiting for Stagger Lee to appear from behind every bush to gun me down.

Luckily that did not happen and I was able to run in the last few miles at a much diminished pace. I was ready to be done but it felt good to be a little reckless.
I really dread attention especially for running, something that is so personal to me. I would not mind winning an award if I did some noble deed, but for running? I felt a little silly afterwards, probably is a reason why I wanted to high tail it away from there immediately afterwards. After eating a Ken’s House of Pancakes I felt tremendously better. After eating I wanted to get back to the finish to cheer others in and see people finish. All in all I had a blast, for me it’s all about the experience and it was most great sharing it with 900 others.

There was a really funny/melodramatic article written calling me “The Ghost”
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2010/03/22/sports/sports01.txt



Disclaimer: Drew made this video that mocks me, the race, and I think running in general.

Looking for Mt.Analogue

Mt. Analogue is a metaphorical novel by French spiritual Surrealist, Rene Damaul. The characters set out to find and explore a mountain which connects our world with a higher realm of existence. They believe that such a place must exist geographically. “The door to the invisible must be visible.” They set out in the ship Impossible and believe they will find the land they are looking for when the sun's rays hit the earth at a certain angle, uncurving the magical field around the island where the mountain lies. After aimlessly floating around they finally reach the comically named city of Port o’ Monkeys. Lately I feel like I have been tooling around in fucking Port o’ Monkeys just like the characters. For me the book offered some valuable insights with passages like this:

“You cannot always stay on the summits. You have to come down again... So what’s the point? Only this: what is above knows what is below, what is below does not know what is above. While climbing, take note of all the difficulties along your path. During the descent, you will no longer see them, but you will know that they are there if you have observed carefully. There is an art to finding your way in the lower regions by the memory of what you have seen when you were higher up. When you can no longer see, you can at least still know. . .”

The winter funk is lifting, whisky bottles out the door, frozen highways melting. No matter the latitude winter is felt, the shadowy forms in the road ahead always appear larger in the winter, even in Hawaii. Here the draught is over, the sky has broken open once again and the brown withered plants are turning green. Inspiration is everywhere, hanging from the trees and floating through the air. Spring rejuvenation is falling from the sky making the Volcano air pure and my heart sing. Misty foggy weather is my favorite to run in. I feel like a prehistoric madman running through lands of some forgotten time, full speed without a care in the world. Dissolving into the trail into the ferns, into the mist, floating into oblivion full speed ahead!

(Photos from around the Island in honor of Spring!)


After getting off of work on Thursday, I signed up for the Kona Brew Fest Run for Hops 10k which was on Saturday. Friday night I drove over to Kona and slept in my van under the silhouette of Mt. Hualalai rising on the horizon. I sat up strumming my banjo and reading Parabola articles on Ecstasy and Divine Bliss. “I have tried caution and forethought; for now on I will make myself mad!” –Rumi. I laughed myself to sleep and woke up early to the sound of the ocean. I went down to the ocean and jumped in the chilly dawn water to wake up. It was a short run to the starting area at the Kona Brewery. It was a crowded event with lots of characters walking around, a nice sight to see. I was super excited, there are not many races around and when there is one it usually conflicts with my work schedule. At the start I felt like a lunatic, readings from the night before fresh on my mind. Especially the article titled “The Wide-Spun Moment”- Dancing on the edge of madness. That was me alright, I went out fast running the first 5k hard then took it easy for the second half. I forgot how painful a 10k could be. At the end it was a sub 35 minute 10k, fun fun fun. Whenever I am on that side of the island I go into Kona Bay Books and by the time I leave my head is spinning. Running, books, and beaches, not a bad way to spend the day.


In the end Mt. Analogue ends in mid sentence leaving us to discover our own way of being, question marks swimming around like fish in my mind. We are all sailing around on “Impossibles” looking for our own Mt. Analogue

Trippin in The Frog Ship Voyager

I recently purchased a van, perfect for island adventuring. Plenty of room for bikes, boards, and sleeping. It has a few quirks which make it all the more lovable and adds personality. I decided to name it "The Frog Ship", with several variations. Frog Ship Odyssey, H.M.S Frog Ship, Purple Frogger.......



For the maiden voyage I decided to take a trip up the Hamakua Coast and run from Waipio to Waimanu Valley. I camped in Kalopa State Park the night before, a mere 15 minutes from the Waipio overlook. Kalopa is at 2,000ft. elevation making the temperatures cool and moist. I went for a little run through the lush old growth forest, through giant ferns and towering eucalyptus trees. I made it back just after the darkness settled and bunkered down in The Frog Ship. I removed the two back seats so there would be plenty of room. I sat under the moonlight pickin' at my banjo and thinking about the beautiful trails that awaited.

The next thing I heard was my phone alarm beeping and I leaped up in excitement. I drove the short distance to Waipio and watched the sun rise, with the moon still shining bright. I have made the hike in a few times so I knew how brutal the trail was. It is only 20 miles round trip but there are some killer climbs.

This was the most prepared for a run I have ever been. I carried two hand held water bottles and even brought along a GU. It starts off with a 900ft. descent down a super steep road to the Waipio Valley floor. Once at the bottom I ran about a mile along the black sand beach and listened to the glassy waves roll in. Next comes the infamous Z trail which climbs 1,200ft in a mile. I slowly ran up, enjoying the view while gasping for air. After reaching the plateau the trail undulates for about 7 miles through 12 gulches with some 500ft climbs in the mix before the 1,200ft. descent into Waimanu. I pushed pretty hard on the way and was kind of beat once reaching Waimanu. I went for a swim and did some body surfing in awe of the lush landscape. What a magical trail, lined with mystical ironwood trees and huge Cook Pines. The run back was considerably slower, I was bushed from all of the climbing. I held out on the GU until the bitter end. I don't know what I have against energy gels, for some reason I despise using them when not in races. I took it down after the climb out of Waimanu and continued on. Lost in the beauty of my surrounds I was back at Waipio before I knew it. The final climb out of the valley was brutal. I started to feel loopy about half way up and fought off thoughts of walking. It had been a while since I had a run where I immediately collapsed and curled up. I opened up the back of Frogger and collapsed and just laid on my side for who knows how long. I was on the trails for just over four hours and my legs felt every minute of it. After guzzling some water and eating a PB and honey sandwich I was feeling great and ready to drive back to Volcano.

The rest of the week was epic. After surviving the drive to Waipio it was time to take
H.M.S Frogger across the island. The adventure began like most do on Wednesday evenings before I get off of work. My friend and fellow co-worker Sarah joined me on the trip. Too many awesome things happened to explain!
-Kayaked in Kiholo Bay, swimming with turtles in a turquoise lagoon
-Watching Sarah spin fire
-Were 10ft. from breaching Humpback Whales!
-Paddled to the Captain Cook monument, snorkeling and swimming with dolphins
-Threw a Frisbee around in a misty meadow on Mana Road
-Played Quan(a fun hand game) from a tree in the mist back in Kalopa SP
Epic fun had by all!