Hawaii, April 2024

 This is a placeholder post where I'll create the omnibus for our Hawaii trip in 2024.

Funky Chickens Stitch-a-Long, part 1

Hi everyone! Last time I decided to start working on some smaller pieces -- easier to manage in the busy summer time. First up, Funky Chickens by Satsuma Street:

I went on a trip over the past three weeks (more on that later), but I still got a very good start on the first of three: the rooster. 

I love how the colors pop on the black Aida. I'm using Cosmo floss and, well, I don't see much of a difference from good 'ol DMC. But I'll see how I feel as I finish each of these pieces. 

By our next check in I hope to have finished the stitching on the rooster and be well on my first chicken. 

Now, about that trip....

We just got back from 10 days in Hawaii where I was running the final race in my 50 State Half Marathon project. The race itself was fun, and I took it as a "victory lap" -- high-fiving kids along the course, thanking volunteers and police officers, cheering for other runners, and enjoying the time. 

One of my all-time favorite craft projects is a jacket that I embroidered for myself, filling in the states as I went along. I used different colors of floss per year, and finally got to fill in my last state. I very rarely wear it, but it makes me smile to look at the map and think about each of the races I ran. 

I'm now going to run over and check out all the projects that my fellow stitchers are working on -- it's always inspiring to see! Avis, Claire, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Mary Margaret, Cindy, and Helen.

Hapalua Half Marathon Race Report

I have been planning to run this race as my 50th State for years. I didn't want to run the half of a full marathon -- I wanted the half to the be focus. The fact that Hapalua means "half" in Hawaiian makes me smile. 

Race expo was at the convention center -- a little ways away from our hotel -- but it was well signed and very well organized. We got our bibs and t-shirt, and then went to look at merch. 

The race design included the names of EVERYONE who pre-registered. The men's shirts had all the men's names (a little confusing at first...), the women's shirts had all the women's names... and the big towels and the photo banner had both. Really nice touch, and fun to find our names!

The next morning we rode down in the elevator with another couple and a random guy headed to the gym. I said, "I think we're headed to the same place!" and she laughed. Wil said, "She's running her 50th state!" and the woman said, "OMG, ME TOO!!!!" and we both SQUEALED and the random guy quickly exited the elevator. 

We hadaed to the start corrals, just down the street from our hotel. We admired Duke, his arms full of leis, in the moonlight. 

Finally, we started. There was a surprising amount of random city miles, out and back to Ala Moana and Honolulu Harbor. 

But eventually we looped back and around Kapiolani park and then an out and back along Diamond Head Road. As we passed the zoo I heard a "running guide" telling some tourists that Hawaii has a lot of "hobby joggers" and a bunch of us insulted him (and his slower-than-us tour group) right back. 

It was hot -- especially on Diamond Head Road. But on the way back we had a nice breeze and I was grinning because we were almost done.

We stopped a lot to take pictures, thanked all the volunteers, and did a lot of smiling. 

And then I was crying because I could see the finish line and I had almost finished the project!

As we entered the finish chute we held hands, had our names called out, and then someone gave me a medal and a bottle of Gatorade and I was just so very happy. And crying. 

The race had a huge runners zone in the park with food and drinks and, very cleverly, a big screen running on a 15-minute delay so people could watch themselves crossing the finish line. I'd never seen this before and I think it's a genius idea. 

It hadn't been fast -- of course. But we did it and had a lovely morning. Walking back to the hotel felt surreal... I had thought about this day for years and it was finally here! We had a dip in the pool, went up to the room, and eventually headed out for a very fine celebratory mai tai. 

Our server delivered possibly the best mai tai I'd ever had, and asked, "How do you feel?". I told her I felt great, very happy, and that I NEVER NEEDED TO RUN AGAIN." It was the first tiem I'd said it -- maybe even the first time I had THOUGHT it, but I think it might be true.