Turkey Day in Paradise!

Alright gang, here's the run down of Thanksgiving on Maui:

Jon and I woke up at 4:45am to eat and get over to Micaela's at 5:15. We all jumped into her lime-gree VW Bug and hit the road for Kula! Can you think of a "Kula" place to race?! HAHA! Zing! (needless to say I used that any/every time I could... even mid-race. Jon was not impressed.)

The drive took about an hour, maybe a little more and when we got to Rice Park there were a couple of random people walking around, but none that looked like they were going to run 16miles. Some kid was walking to his car and we asked if this was where the turkey trot was held and he said "I've been wondering that same thing, man" (all stoned out). Then he looked at Micaela's dashboard where she had some dried lavender and very enthusiastically asked "Are those buds, man?! Ohhh man I thought those were buds man..." We drove around a little and when we came back through we saw an old man in spandex and when we asked if this was the start he said "well... it was last year!"

As soon as we got out to look at the view, more people started rolling in. We registered and the lady said "what do you think you'll run?" and I said 1:40... not realizing how difficult the course actually would be. She said "ooo fast!" and then explained to Jon that the real winner is the person who guesses closest to their actual time! (Would have been nice to know before I told you my answer, lady!) But Jon being Jon, replied "Make mine 1:39:59!" ...such a clown.

A guy called us all over to the start and gave us directions for the race... "Down the hill (actually a mountain) 5miles, turn at the 5 trees, up the hill (still a mountain...) 8miles, then downhill to the finish." Did I mention this is all taking place on a friggen mountain?! 8 miles up hill?! Uhhh....

So we started and one guy took off at the start. He had some ironman gear on and Jon and I sat back and cruised about 50m behind. The guy stopped to re-tie his shoe and then caught back up and ran with us. He was really friendly, from San Fran and had done a few marathons and Ironmans. Once we started climbing he fell back a little ways but he stayed back the same distance. So Jon and I were left together. Climbing... and climbing... and a short reprieve where the road dipped down for a 20foot stretch of downhill...then climbing again! It never stopped...

Then the guy caught back up and said we were around mile 12. "Almost there guys!..." but then we climbed more. When we finally reached the pinnacle, I thought it would be a sort of rolling downhill. Instead the guy and Jon took off down a fairly steep decline that never let up. I stayed close behind for about a mile before I decided I didn't care enough to continue pounding and pounding down the slope. Jon won in the kick and I came in about a minute behind. Such a killer turkey trot!! Here is the website to look at the course and whatnot: http://www.virr.com/home/races/upcoming/turkey-trot/

We stuck around and met some really cool people! One kid ran the entire 16miles barefoot! Very impressive. And then a bunch of the older guys told us about some cool upcoming races. Then, after waiting around thinking we were going to get awards for place, they started randomly calling out numbers! Luckily Jon's complaints were satiated by him winning a big, fat ham!

We headed out and stopped at Wal-Mart where we picked up some sheets for my bed (finally) and some food and whatnot. Then we stopped at an overlook and then a beach to jump in and rinse off the stakiness we had going on.

When we got home, Jon and I loaded up the boards and went down to Flemming Beach. I caught my first waves since being in Maui, but the conditions were choppy and we didn't stay too long. Then we cleaned up and headed up to Caitlin's. Her family has a few families over for Thanksgiving each year and their house is incredible. It sits wayyyy up in the pineapple fields overlooking the ocean and Kahana. Perfectly manicured landscaping and Palm trees greet you as you drive in. Once inside, the house is very open and spacious (I would have taken pictures but decided that would be a little sketchy, being the new guy and all). We step out onto the back patio where the tables were set up and decorated with fresh rosemary and gourds and candles... beautiful!

Dinner was terrific! Two turkeys(one smoked, one roasted), mashed potatoes (Jon and I made volcanoes!! Obviously), two types of stuffing, sweet potato casserole (my favorite), Swiss chard, a veggie/potato medley, cranberry sauce, and waterchestnuts wrapped in bacon (called Ramaki)... so phenom-nomenal. Then there were desserts! Pumpkin cheesecake, apple pie, pecan pie, homemade Burbon Whipped Cream (absolutely delish) and brownies! Needless to say I had a food coma that night.

I'm so very thankful for everyone that I've met here and the hospitality I've received. Everyone has been so kind and helpful and generous... this is truly an amazing place to be. Although I do miss being with family on holidays, it's nice to be with my 'ohana!