I have this passion for traveling to places and running marathons. (note: if you’re reading this, you are probably a lunatic about something, so please don’t start shaking your head about this …)
Well I’m proud to say that the next journey begins tomorrow with a short hop to Hawaii to run the Maui Marathon. It will be marathon #97 on my quest to run 100 of these suckers.
My travels will begin at JFK Airport tomorrow. I’ll be flying to LAX (and grumbling to be seated in coach since the flight is full and the upgrade list is long). I’ll be at LAX for 3 hours (hello, Delta Skyclub) and then flying to Honolulu and then to Maui (unless the good people at Delta Airlines want to put me on the LAX-OGG non-stop). The flight was neither cheap nor expensive – $588.
Since I will be arriving Maui late on Thursday, I reserved a room at a hotel near the airport. I used an Expedia $50 coupon so it’s costing only $70.
Although I originally planned to stay at the Hyatt Regency, even with a government rate (which I am entitled to use), it came out to be nearly $300 per night with tax and resort fees. A friend got a suite on Priceline at a hotel near Ka’anapali for a fraction of the price, and asked me to share it. I checked and the suite has a sofa bed in the living room, and it seems nice enough, so agreed. (Rationalization #1 – this will save some money for the next trip, and the next trip, and the next one after that). (Rationalization #2 – well at least this means I won’t be reviewing another Hyatt or Kimpton on this blog, right?) (Rationalization #3 – honestly, the Aston hotels are supposed to be fine, and I’m sure I’ll like it). Still, it pained me to cancel the Hyatt booking, and lose the suite upgrade…
Friday and Saturday, I’ll be enjoying Maui, which I’m looking forward to. The last time I was there was 13 years ago for a wedding. On Sunday, the marathon begins at ….. YIKES….. 5:30 a.m. and the buses leave for the start at DOUBLE YIKES …. 3:30 a.m. (note to self: bring headlamp).
I have heard that the Maui Marathon is on the hot and hilly side, so I’m sure I won’t be boasting about my fast time. But the way I see it, there’s nothing wrong with a 6 hour run enjoying the beauty of Maui. This is what the course map looks like – how cool is this?
Of course, I am shielding my eyes from looking at the elevation chart at the bottom of the course map! (which reminds me – don’t forget the sunblock and the sunglasses).
And then… before I’ve blinked, I’ll be back on a plane Sunday night. Kvetching, but happy.
Want to contact me?
Email: WillRunForMiles@gmail.com
Twitter: @katruns26point2.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
“note: if you’re reading this, you are probably a lunatic about something, so please don’t start shaking your head about this …”
So true. Good luck on the Run, what a great way to see Maui.
Are you one of those 50-staters?
Best of luck.
Yup. I completed the 50 States about 2 years ago, and kept running.
Wife rolled her eyes when I read her the first sentence. Two of my Three (Springsteen shows being the third) Current Obsessions. 41 Marathons, and the last trip was to Anchorage to knock out one of the tougher states (in terms of cpm, coulda been a MR (though far from a PR), but I s’pose when you take the family and stay for ten days it’s not technically a mileage run). Have a great time – looking forward to going to Hawaii soon for the same purpose.
What is your PR? Have you run in boston?
97? Wow, congratulations… I’ll be doing my third next month. Any stand-out memories from Maui, or do they all sort of blur together after that many races?! And more importantly, did that upgrade clear? 😉