Ravings and Blather

March 28, 2024

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Location:

Holladay,UT,USA

Member Since:

Mar 29, 2008

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

2011 Salt Lake City Half  1:42  

2010 Buffalo Run 25 K  2:25  

2010 St George Marathon 3:48  

2011 Mid Mountain Trail Marathon 4:27 

2011 Squaw Peak 50 mile 14:00:49 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Keep going!

Personal:

married, 4 children

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Peregrine 6 Lifetime Miles: 569.92
New Balance 1080 Lifetime Miles: 43.22
Saucony Peregrine 6 Blue Lifetime Miles: 565.84
Peregrine 8 Lifetime Miles: 332.00
Saucony Peregrine 2019 Lifetime Miles: 251.24
Brooks Cascade 14 Lifetime Miles: 345.28
Brooks Cascading 15 Lifetime Miles: 260.39
Saucony Peregrine Lifetime Miles: 181.64
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
11.250.0011.25

Kalalau trail day.  Napali Coastline. This is a trail I have been wanting to see and do for years.  I came to Kauai about 5 years ago and really did not do the trail running scene yet.  So didnt even know anything about this trail.  I then wanted to do it even more as Bryce wrote about it last year.  I am only here for 5 days, and knew I likely did not have the full 22 mile round trip in me.  Especially Bryce who is a stud runner posted that it was the hardest 22 miles he has ever done. So I ended up doing just over half.  Good enough to tire me out and also see what the fuss is all about.  

This trail is a tough one.  I started at first light and was basically the only one on the trail except for a forest dweller I passed about 5 miles in.  He was wearing flip flops, hadnt had a bath or shave for a couple years and looked like he had all his belonging in a few plastic sacs tied to his waist.  He was in no hurry.  

The first two miles are widely used and because of that there is a well worn trail.  After that much of the trail is overgrown and becomes a narrow single track that is never flat.  So rare to even be able to run for any consistent pace.  The jungle is barely contained for most of it and while not quite bushwacking is close.  THe ground is rocks and roots and for a trudger like me that means I rolled my ankles, stubbed my toes and such to many times to count and went down twice.  I also ran through a million serious face covering spider webs across the trail with big freaking spiders in them. THat being said, the views are surreal and stunning and truly Jurassic parkish (i guess that is why they filmed it here).  It is so unique to be in such a place, hundreds of feet up on a single track above the pounding surf with intermittent views of this jagged prehistoric coastline.  Anyway, it was cool.  Glad I did it.  It took me almost 3.5 hours to cover those 11 miles.  Especially slow the last 1.5 because the busses had unloaded and I bet I ran into about 150 people now coming on the first bit of the hike.  No running for more than 50 feet before stopping to let some hikers pass.  

Perfect. 

Comments
From Bryce on Wed, Feb 01, 2012 at 10:26:04 from 76.27.58.194

Can't even tell you how jealous. Every time I go to that island I have serious thoughts of becoming a forest dweller. Nice freaking job! Glad you got out there. You aint a trudger buddy, it's just relentless trail. Noticed the high surf warning yesterday, bet there were a few ground shakers hitting the rock below you. Magic place, enjoy every second of it.

From Oreo on Wed, Feb 01, 2012 at 10:45:46 from 206.81.136.61

I am dis'liking' the both of you right now.. Just know that. Very Jealous.

Awesome freak'n job - Brother! Wish I was there.

From BOO on Wed, Feb 01, 2012 at 17:44:25 from 75.37.25.193

Whoa, nice news from the trail, am jealous for sure, not so much by the run but because of the sand, surf, lava flows and bikinis, live it up bro

From Steam8 on Sat, Feb 04, 2012 at 09:43:13 from 166.70.55.77

It is a beautiful trail. I was there on my honeymoon 16 yrs ago. I made my husband go up on that trail and he only lasted a couple of miles and made me turn around (he hates hiking). I would love to hit that trail again....minus the spiders! Enjoy!!

From Lulu Walls on Sat, Feb 04, 2012 at 15:56:19 from 166.70.240.95

That is so great you got on that trail! I backpacked the trail a few summers ago and almost bailed on the super freaky narrow eroded section. Did you get out to that spot?

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