Norman Tamanaha Memorial 15k - Run15k

On the way out I was all alone since I started 23 mins late. I caught myself a few times picking up the pace more than I should in an attempt to try to catch up to the group. I felt okay going around the park but was feeling quite heavy and slow on my trip up the hill to the front of Diamond Head. Once I crested the hill and got to the first aid station, had some water and Amino Vital I felt pretty good. The downhill was very welcome and I made up good time as I let good ol' gravity work for me. Once I got close to this aid station I started passing some of the slowest participants. From then on I steadily passed folks along the way. Going down from the crest at Diamond Head I saw the leader on his way back. Wow! From then on I had a steady stream of racers coming at me as I trotted along. The trip from Diamond Head to the turnaround point was mostly flat. I kept a steady pace all the way. At the turnaround point I stopped and said hello to a police officer who was on traffic duty for the race and thanked the volunteers who were handing out drinks. Then I headed back. After the brief break I was newly refreshed and had some vigor in my step. I started cracking jokes and cheering the other races as I passed them. Eventually I made it back to the uphill on the return trip to the crest of Diamond Head. On the way out I had thought I would surely have to walk this portion but suprisingly I felt fine and ran the entire way to the aid station at the top. Once at the aid station I had a couple of cups of water as I walked through. I then started running again and took advantage of the downhill to again make up some time. I kept passing racers as I made may way toward the finish. Luckily there were a few markers on the pavement marking total miles from the Honolulu Marathon course which I believe has the same finish location as this race. That was helful since the markers told me when I had 3, 2 and 1 mile left. I again made use of gravity on the downhill headed back to Kapiolani Park. Once back on the flat I took up my steady pace until I got within sight of the finish area. Once I got close I picked up my knees a little higher and strode through the finish gate. The clock said I finished at 1:56 so I subtracted 23 mins for an actual course time of 1:33 which is better than I had expected. I was secretly hoping to beat 90 mins but I didn't miss it by much. I'm quite happy with my performance.

Show up on time!

Warm down wasn't much of anything. I grabbed a can of juice from the beverages provided, picked up my race packet (they ran out of XL shirts :( ) and walked back to the car where my wife was waiting. After that we drove the long way around the island to home stopping at McD's for some breakfast burritos. Plus, I had a huge ice-water wating for me which was a very nice treat as was the beautiful views we had on our ride home. Once we got home though, I was really stiff when I got out of the car. Hopefully I won't be too stiff and sore tomorrow.


I could have been faster if I had started training earlier.


I can't really comment on this race as far as good or bad because I reall don't have anything to compare it against. Good enough for me though.