Okinawa: Sunday

Took a snorkeling trip with Seasir out to the Kerama Islands. It was a fun day off exploring the reefs in three different locations. I didn't have my camera with me, so these are some photos I tracked down from others.

I got a bit of a sunburn on my head and the back of my hands. 

South Korea

As many of you know, I took a quick trip over to Seoul, South Korea for a few days this week. Buying some more time until I get my visa issues sorted out. I had just one day to do some exploring, so I stuck around the island where the airport was and went geocaching on 3 neighboring islands.

I stayed at the Lazy Bird Guest House, which was clean and comfortable. I recommend it. 

Their Sheltie reminded me of Heidi, our Sheltie growing up.

Gulls swarm to catch chips tossed to them from the ferry

Landing on Sindo Island.

The islands are mostly rural with a lot of crops. I liked the technique used to grow these gourds.

Rice field.

Chicken coop on Modo Island.

I spotted these outdoor exercise stations in several parks in Korea. Smart idea. 

Antelope Island Buffalo Run 50K

Copied over from my journal, but with pictures. (Stolen from across the web, of course)

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Up at 5:30, and not pleased about it. I was secretly hoping my alarm wouldn’t go off and I could use that as my excuse for missing the race. No such luck. Sleepily put on my running clothes: shorts, warm-up pants, short sleeve tech T, lightweight jacket, shoes, socks, and a beanie. Made sure to Vaseline up my toes and feet real good, as well as cover up the nipples with Band-aids.

Ate a couple bowls of Multigrain Cheerios with soy milk for breakfast. Out a little after 6:00 am. Made good time with little traffic, except for the police escort for 15 minutes. Picked up my race packet outside the Antelope Island causeway, then drove out to the island.

Parked at the same place as when I ran a race out here before. There are 3 races today for the Buffalo Run: a 25K, 50K, and 50 Miler. I’m doing the 50K, which it turns out was a little longer—several people said they measured 32 miles. Coincidentally, it was also about 32 degrees at the start.

The 50 milers started in the dark at 6:00 am. I wasn't there to see it, but it looks cool. One day...

I kept on my extra layers and beanie. Decided to put my fuel belt in my drop bag, since I don’t get very thirsty the first leg. The course is a 15-16 mile loop, which we run twice. I’m not a big fan of loop courses, since it’s too easy to drop out at the halfway point. Plus, it’s really discouraging to know you have to head back out and do it again if you stay in.

Everyone was asked to bring a can of something to add to the buffalo stew to be eaten post race.

The 50K group started at 8:00 am. It’s uphill for the first 2 ½ miles, which I ran, since I was fresh. There’s about 5000’ of climb in the course.

This is our group just before taking off. I couldn't find myself in the picture.

We passed a heard of buffalo as we crested the hill. I’ve never been that close to them before. They are massive. They seemed unconcerned by the huge group of runners passing by.

I never did see any of the island's namesake

At 3 miles, my left leg and foot lost feeling. That’s NEVER happened to me before. I sometimes get it in my arm and hand for a short interval, but never the legs. It was just the pins and needle feeling you get if you sleep on your arm the wrong way. I had control of my hip and upper leg, so I kept pace and tried my best to avoid rocks. It was like running with a club, but with the uncomfortable feeling of whacking your funny bone with ever step. It last for over 2 miles, finally subsiding as I approached the Elephant Head aid station at 5.5 miles.

Stripped off my pants, jacket, and beanie. Put on my fuel belt and popped some Ibuprofen and pain reliever. Attacked the PB&J sandwiches, Goldfish crackers, chips, and M&Ms. I missed the turnoff for a big loop we do after the aid station, so I ended up doing it reverse, much to the confusion of the people coming at me in the opposite direction. I felt good for the next 3 miles—then I hit another 2 miles of uphill. Legs getting sore.

Made it back to Elephant Head. More drugs, cookies, banana, PB&J, crackers, and chips. Put on my shade hat, as it was getting hot out. By hot, I mean in the 50’s. Wish it would stay in the 40’s. Retraced our steps for the next 2 miles before cutting left to a new trail. By the time I reached the White Rock turnaround aid station, I was wiped. It took me just under 3 hours to do half.

Wolfed down 2 donuts and some other crap. I was starving. The finish line was only 100 yards away, calling my name. Sucked it up and headed back the way I came. The second loop was brutal. While my feet were doing great, my knees were throbbing with pain—for the next 3+ hours. I took more drugs, but it didn’t help. Nothing much to report beyond lots of pain and increasing heat.

The one adrenaline pumping incident was when me and another dude came across a pair of Buffalo off to the side of the trail around mile 29. I was exhausted and wincing in pain, but when that buffalo turned towards us and started charging, I freaked. We both avoided eye contact (as instructed) and zagged off the trail to give him his space. He stopped short and watched us quickly move away, snorting out a warning. That was the only time I forgot about my aching knees.

With a mile to go I picked up speed and finished strong in about 6:10. Felt happy about that. I beat my best 50K time by almost an hour. 151 runners signed up for the 50K, with 122 finishing. I came in 52nd overall, and was the 38th overall male. I was 16th in the 30-39 age group out of 25. Stumbled over to the base camp and had 2 ½ bowls of buffalo stew. Delicious.

I won a climbing gym day pass in the drawing, but even better was the race shirt AND finishers shirts we got.

Hung out and chatted with racers until our drop bags arrived.

One of the runners collapsed from dehydration just as I was about to leave. LifeFlight was called in to pick them up. I heard the person is fine now.

Really tough drive home. I could barely keep my eyes open. Should have grabbed a Mt. Dew before I left.

Look for 5 & 10K races for the next few months. My knees are shot.

Pulau Manukan

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Pulau Manukan is a small island off the coast of Kota Kinabalu where we spent a day. It's where I had my first para-sailing experience. (feels like floating; not scary at all) Others jet skied and snorkeled.

The island off in the distance. Jason filmed most of our trip. I've yet to locate the footage.

Arriving on the island

This was our little reserved spot on the beach.

I really dug the table centerpieces

This shot is for cat-lover Kristin.

I went for a run in my flip flops along a cobblestone trail in the jungle. This lookout point wasn't the sweet destination I hoped it would be.

A couple scenes from lunch

Xterra Antelope Island 12K

The closest I'd ever come to the Great Salt Lake prior to this weekend was on a road trip to Reno last year and seeing the Foo Fighters at Saltair many years before that. It's never been high on my list of places in Utah to recreate. It still isn't.

Saturday marked the 3rd of 4 Xterra trail races held in Utah this year. It's a worldwide competition, with nationals being held in Oregon, and the world championship in Oahu. I was sitting in 3rd place in my age group (35-39) prior to this race. My goal is to finish in the top 3.

Antelope Island is huge. 28,000 acres huge. Wild bison and antelope roam free among the grasslands and rolling hills. The race followed an ATV/horse trail up and around a 7 1/2 mile section of the island. It was really hot out by the 8:00 am start time. Biting horse flies added another fun element to the mix.

I ran a good race and was happy with my 10th place finish. (85 total runners) I came in 2nd in my age group, which should keep me in the top 3. My time was 1 hour 44 seconds. Outside of being a little sore and sunburned, my only race wounds remain my toes. Specifically the toenail area of two toes on each foot. They cause me nothing but grief all race season, and there's nothing I can do about it.

I had to pop 3 blood blisters yesterday after I got home, 2 from the same toe--one on top of the other. It was a nasty operation. I didn't realize how messed up it was until I took a close up picture with my camera. I'm warning you, the following photo is both graphic and disturbing. It could cause you mental duress, and worse, make you never want to run again. Don't say I didn't warn you. (click on photo for full effect)



I can only imagine what it will look like after next weekend's 50K trail race. (31 miles) I'm guessing not good. (or nice, as Joey would say)

My final Mazatlan Post

I forgot I had these pictures sitting in my camera. These round out my trip to Mazatlan. Enjoy.

Cort & I took a boat out to Deer Island to do some exploring and possibly escape the kids. After landing on the East shore beach, we headed South along the coast. Lots of these cook trees sticking out from the cliff face.

It was in one of these many tide pools,

that I finally got the chance to photograph my first puffer fish not in captivity. (and not dead, washed up on the beach)

On our way to Wolf Island

A shallow cave on the west side with fresh water dripping in.

I spotted a large cement box on top of a hill which we climbed up to. Some rocks at the bottom caught my attention, and buried underneath them, I discovered this not in a bottle from 2004. Here is the photographic evidence as proof. I returned the note where I found it, (from a dad to his children, who I assume will track it down at some later date) minus the 50 pesos going to waste at the bottom of a pile of rocks.

Ever since this occurrence, I've had an overwhelming desire to get a handheld GPS device and participate in geocaching.

View of Mazatlan from the hill

Cort decided to take the challenging way down

One of my favorite photos from the trip. This was taken on New Year's Eve. It's my version of the 'Family Photo'. A candid shot of how families really are - nothing staged.

Left to Right: Joey, Jack, Cali, Carolina (CC), Tyson, & Grace (Gracie)

Stone Island: Part 2

I'm using a wireless connection at a coffee house. As long as I'm sipping hot chocolate, they won't kick me out.

Continuing with my hike...

The beach off to the right is the popular part of Stone Island To the left is where the boat drops you off. The little villa is directly below me.


These vulture-like birds were all over the mountain.


The furthest point of Stone Island, which forms a harbor with the one from mainland. That's the Faro lighthouse across the way, although the top is hidden behind clouds


These goats were roaming wild. They jump up on their hind legs to reach the leaves.


Rooty


The rocky crest to the top.


Closer to the crest.


On the way up, beneath the trees.


View from higher up.


I happened upon the goat's toilet.


A different view


Cliffs below


Above the tree line


View from the top


Me



More to come...