Training Runs have Begun!

A few months ago, my sister-in-law posted a booking for a flight to Hawaii to run a Ragnar. Immediately, I signed up. Before this, I NEVER, I mean, never, had a desire to run a Ragnar Relay. But Hawaii?? Seriously, I was in without question, but had to convince her to let me on the team. A few days later, I booked my flight. Then, my son and his friend's flight and no sooner I had recruited two more friends to join the team. Now, if you don't know what a Ragnar is, it's 200 (and in this case more) mile relay with a team of up to 12 members. Our crazy team, thinks 10 members is enough. Something about sweating in vans, but I am not buying it. They just love running! I just love Hawaii and if I have to run, I will. It takes like 36 hours or something to get to the end. I figured people have done before, so I should be fine. I mean, I will be in paradise for a few days. 

So, this week we headed out for our first training run as a team to the trails in Weir Canyon.

And Wow! We sure live in a beautiful place that continues to amaze me. Not knowing what to expect, I was thinking maybe I go a little longer when I heard it was only a 4 miler. But was I surprised to find that 4 miles was enough to get my heart racing and my blood pumping.

The trailhead started at the end of a road in the Hidden Canyon estates and all I could see was a hill in front of me. For the first half-mile we were moving upward on a dirt trail until when we finally get to the top. It was hard not to stop and take in the view. And we found ourselves doing this a few times on the run. The first few miles continued to climb upward and each time we rounded a corner, the view got even better. It went for miles and was absolutely stunning with rolling hills and large homes on the top looking over a lake. As we made our way around and moved downward, the switchbacks took us through a cooler route with trees along the side of the trail.

Whether you are a runner, hiker, horseback rider or mountain biker, these trails will give you whatever adventure you need. From steep climbs to fast drops, the trails have it all. You can traverse into many directions and go for miles, or simply take a loop and head back. For our team, the four-mile loop was just enough to get our first training run in for the upcoming Ragnar race. 

God has so much for us to explore and if you don't stop and pay attention to what is around you, you will miss it. Hawaii is going to be beautiful, but I can drive less than 30 minutes and enjoy a view that our creator has left for us. 

Psalm 19: 1-6
How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!
    How plainly it shows what he has done!
 Each day announces it to the following day;
    each night repeats it to the next.
 No speech or words are used,
    no sound is heard;
 yet their message goes out to all the world
    and is heard to the ends of the earth.
God made a home in the sky for the sun;

    it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
    like an athlete eager to run a race.
 It starts at one end of the sky

    and goes across to the other.

 Nothing can hide from its heat.