Part of the course map for the Honolulu Marathon. I’m Running the Marathon This Weekend!
Post written by Leo Babauta.
If you’ve noticed that I’ve been around a little less than usual in the past week, it’s because of two things:
1. I’m preparing for the launch of my book, The Power of Less, which comes out on Dec. 30. More exciting news on this soon!
2. I’m leaving Guam this morning to run the Honolulu Marathon! This means the usual preparations for a trip, which is especially difficult given No. 1 above. I’m actually on the plane as this is being published.
But as of today, I’m going to relax for at least four days! This will be my first non-Guam marathon, and with 27,000 people it should be a blast.
I’ve been training for this race for a few months, but unfortunately my training was interrupted by a longish bout with the flu a month ago so it was thrown off a bit. I’m not as prepared as I’d hoped, but I’m positive I can finish (even if I don’t finish as fast as I’d hoped).
My goal for the marathon was to run under 4 hours (my last marathon in March was 4 hrs 14 minutes), but with the interruption in training, coupled with what I’ve read is a very very crowded start, I think I’ll just abandon the goal of finishing under a certain time.
So my goals for the marathon (which is this Sunday, 5 a.m.!):
1. Have fun. With such a large race, it should be one big runner’s party.
2. Finish. I’m pretty sure I can do that unless I start way too fast or get injured.
If I do finish under 4 hours, that’s great, but no worries if I don’t. I just want to enjoy the race.
Thank you to everyone who has given me encouraging words, and especially to those who have sponsored my training (the donations don’t go to pay for my trip, but to a humanitarian cause). Your support and encouragement have helped me through my training, and you’ll all be with me during the race!
Side note: I considered carrying a mobile device while running the marathon and Twittering updates as I ran, but I decided I didn’t want to carry antyhing. :)
I’ll be sure to post a full race report as soon as I’m recovered!
I’m also looking forward to Honolulu, which I’ve never really visited (at least not as an adult). I have a Google Map with markers of places I want to go and restaurants I want to eat at (thanks to Allison for suggestions!), but Eva and I mostly want to take it easy and relax while we’re there.
It should be a fun trip!
While I’m gone, my friend Stephen Smith will be monitoring the blog and comments, so you’re in good hands. Thanks for your patience and I’ll talk to you guys soon!
- Spewed into the world on 11 December 2008 in Aboutzenhabits, Goals & Motivation |
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Brilliant comments (75)
Jamie Says:
December 11th, 2008, 19:17 pm
Good luck Leo! I ran my first one in Portland this October and - despite the rain - came in at 3:55:59. I was an “exercise runner” before, but reading about you doing a 20-miler to train for your first marathon helped me realize that normal people can do extraordinary things.
Aim for 4:00:00!
Valeria | TimelessLessons Says:
December 11th, 2008, 19:18 pm
Congratulations. That is awesome! Leo, you have shown us example of — preparation, planning and finally to never give up until it is over — by this marathon. You got me thinking about starting distance training myself.
Quentin Says:
December 11th, 2008, 19:26 pm
Long time reader - Just noticed you’re from Guam!
I went to high school @ st. John’s in Tamuning =]
Small world!
Trevor Says:
December 11th, 2008, 19:39 pm
Good Luck. Marathon’s take a long time to run. Good to see that you can delegate that much time into a marathon!
Cynthia Says:
December 11th, 2008, 19:43 pm
Good luck Leo I’m sure you’ll do great and finish strong would have looked forward to your tweets but understand about caring yuor phone during the race I try to carry as little possible in my races. Enjoy your time in Hawaii
FrugalNYC Says:
December 11th, 2008, 19:56 pm
Congrats Leo! Best of luck and most of all, have tons of fun!
deepikaur Says:
December 11th, 2008, 20:04 pm
Congrats, Leo, and good luck! Following your own planning and focus on this goal has been quite inspiring. I think I’ll start training too, once finals are over and it beings to slightly warm up. Be sure to have fun in Honolulu!
Ash Says:
December 11th, 2008, 20:51 pm
Good luck, Leo! Aim for 4:00!!
And remember, enjoy yourself!
Ivan Says:
December 11th, 2008, 21:22 pm
Good luck, Leo!
I’m sure you’ll do well if you set your mind to it.
I have Zen Fever! Says:
December 11th, 2008, 21:42 pm
Good luck Leo. You wil cross the finish line first.
Curt Says:
December 11th, 2008, 21:46 pm
good luck on the marathon!
looking forward to the new book..
cheers
John Wang Says:
December 11th, 2008, 22:11 pm
Hi Leo,
Wanted to wish you luck on the Marathon this weekend. I’ll be running as well. Maybe I’ll see you there, among the ~27,000 other people there. : )
Tabitha (From Single to Married) Says:
December 11th, 2008, 22:13 pm
Hey Leo - good for you! Good luck and can’t wait to hear your time!
kathy Says:
December 11th, 2008, 22:40 pm
Leo
What a fantastic accomplishment. Enjoy the race and the time with your beautiful bride. You’ve shown us what planning, practice, and persistence can achieve.
Looking forward to the full report.
Kelly Says:
December 11th, 2008, 23:03 pm
Good Luck Leo! Have fun!
Fit Bottomed Girl Says:
December 11th, 2008, 23:31 pm
Your the third person I know running that marathon. Good luck! I’m sure you’ll do great, and I can’t wait to hear all about it. ENJOY!
Usman Says:
December 11th, 2008, 23:59 pm
That’s excellent…how long have you been practicing for..in total?
Pizzamancer Says:
December 12th, 2008, 1:32 am
Good luck running the marathon Leo!
Don’t forget to have some fun while in Hawaii.
Andrew R - Go Healthy Go Fit Says:
December 12th, 2008, 2:24 am
Leo,
Good luck bud! I’m sure you’ll do great.
All the Best,
Andrew R
Salutis Says:
December 12th, 2008, 5:17 am
Good luck! Thanks for sharing. I am looking forward to the report from your run.
mark_hayward Says:
December 12th, 2008, 6:33 am
Hey Leo - enjoy Honolulu and the marathon!! I am sure you will break 4 hours. :)
Vincent Says:
December 12th, 2008, 7:50 am
Good luck Leo. Be back soon and fill us up with your marathon updates.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
HarryG Says:
December 12th, 2008, 9:03 am
Leo,
Good luck. Completed my first marathon this year. I had to basically stop running the last month of training but I finished.
Sunday’s going to be your day! Enjoy yourself and make that stretch goal happen!!!
Ciao,
HarryG
Julie Anderson Says:
December 12th, 2008, 9:11 am
Good luck, Stephen!
Your first marathon! Wow.
Hope you make it all right, bud.
I always enjoy your contributions, Steve.
Have a good time!
becoming minimalist Says:
December 12th, 2008, 9:37 am
i’ve always considered running marathons as a great indicator of self-discipline. good for you.
Alison at Diamond-Cut Life Says:
December 12th, 2008, 10:08 am
Amen to the self-discipline it takes to do long-distance running. I really respect it. I once did a half-marathon — my distances have gotten shorter since then! :)
.
Leo, global warming particularly threatens islands. I suggest you consider looking at the carbon footprint of flying from Guam to Hawaii and buying carbon offsets for it. Easy and quick to do, and cheap in the context of a middle-class income. Here’s how we did ours: http://www.diamondcutlife.org/?s=buying+our+carbon+offsets
William Says:
December 12th, 2008, 10:21 am
Alison:
“Global Warming” is a myth … a wild-eyed fabrication.
Wearing Mascara Says:
December 12th, 2008, 10:30 am
Good luck Leo! You are an inspiration and I look forward to hearing about it! :-)
Tess Marshall Says:
December 12th, 2008, 11:03 am
Rock on Leo! You’re inspiring everyone who doesn’t exercise!
Zaim Z Says:
December 12th, 2008, 13:07 pm
I have followed your blog for moths now. Good luck for you
The Daily Click Says:
December 12th, 2008, 13:28 pm
Good luck Leo. I am sure you will have a good time doing the marathon and that you and Eva have a lovely few days as well.
Caleb - Double Your Gains Says:
December 12th, 2008, 13:55 pm
Good Luck Leo!
I know you’ll do well — you got the most important thing for doing these endurance ordeals — your strong mindset!
Later
Caleb
Mary C Says:
December 12th, 2008, 14:13 pm
Have a blast Leo! Relax and enjoy your run - you have already WON!!
Gail Says:
December 12th, 2008, 15:05 pm
I think it’s great that one of your goals is to have fun! I think that is the best thing you can do. Best wishes.
Gail
Jeremy Day Says:
December 12th, 2008, 16:11 pm
Hi Leo,
Wow, I am excited for you. And excited for your book! Just run the race and have fun my friend. It’s for a good cause and there really is no need to beat 4 hours except to stroke your ego a bit. ;-)
Good luck with everything, make sure you rest up when its all done, and enjoy the holidays!
Cheers,
Jeremy
morgin1013 Says:
December 12th, 2008, 16:45 pm
Good Luck!
Cheryl Says:
December 12th, 2008, 16:53 pm
Run fast, Stephen! Good for you!
Donna Reiss Says:
December 12th, 2008, 17:06 pm
Good Luck Leo!!! As your running I’ll be flying to Thailand on vacation…Please check my blog for pictures from Thailand and my adventure…Merry Christmas and Have a wonderful and abundant New Year!!! Aloha
Donna
Stephen Smith Says:
December 12th, 2008, 18:06 pm
Heh, Thanks Cheryl, I will have to run fast to keep up with all of the comments. But I do not actually run unless there is a fire!
Jen Says:
December 12th, 2008, 18:43 pm
Good luck with the marathon! Speaking of races! There’s a 5K taking place February 28th in Middle Georgia. It’s the first one of its kind around these parts! There’s a cash prize. But the runners aren’t even who we’re going for(though they’re welcome to battle it out for the cash prize!)– we want the people who have never thought of running a race before. people who have even thought “I will never ever run a race!” That’s who we want! I would love if you could spread the message. We have a goal of 2009 runners/walkers We want to be the standard of healthy living in Middle Georgia.:)
You should fly over for it! :D
MizFit Says:
December 12th, 2008, 20:48 pm
Ill be cheering you on from texas!
should you ever decide to come to our fair city to run the marathon I mightcould have to get up off the couch and join you!
Stef Says:
December 13th, 2008, 2:06 am
BEST of luck in the marathon! I love your goals and hope you post a race report after to let us know how you did.
Good luck with the book coming out soon too that is very exciting!
Praveen Sattaru Says:
December 13th, 2008, 5:07 am
All the Best Leo , I just finished Seattle Marathon couple of weeks back after getting motivated reading all the amazing blogs.
Takumi86 Says:
December 13th, 2008, 8:11 am
Alright good luck on your journey, hope you have a wonderful time and remember been in marathon doesn’t always mean you have to win this, just take your time, no rush and keep your health steady
Sean Says:
December 13th, 2008, 10:30 am
Well done! Go for it!
randomguru Says:
December 13th, 2008, 12:29 pm
whoa, man! good luck on the run in Hawaii… that’s very inspirational…
Frank Says:
December 13th, 2008, 16:26 pm
Have fun in Honolulu. My wish to you is that you will finish a marathon soon in sub 4!
GP Says:
December 13th, 2008, 18:18 pm
I used to run ‘thons for World Runners (Hunger Organization). Nothing like a purpose bigger than yourself to get you thru those last few miles
best of luck.. and remember “it almost always never gets worse”… kick some butt
Chris Says:
December 13th, 2008, 18:22 pm
Sounds like it will be a lot of fun! Good luck with your race, and if your in the area, the Waikiki Beach Walk has an awesome restaurant called the Yardhouse. http://tinyurl.com/6cc2js Best Thai Chicken Pizza ever!
floreta Says:
December 14th, 2008, 2:37 am
sounds amazing! i actually know of some people from my town running that marathon too.
Allison Day Says:
December 14th, 2008, 15:04 pm
You’re very welcome! I hope you had a great time in the marathon, and I hope you enjoy your time in Hawaii… and eat well! :)
Bender Says:
December 14th, 2008, 18:19 pm
Well Done. 3:54:08 with a negative split. Not many people achieve that.
Leo Says:
December 15th, 2008, 1:26 am
THANKS EVERYONE! I just did the marathon this morning and will post about it in a day or so when I get back home.
I’m sore! But so happy. :)
Ola Says:
December 15th, 2008, 11:54 am
Congratulations, Leo! We’re all waiting for the juicy details… :)
JE Gonzalez Says:
December 15th, 2008, 23:25 pm
I will say good luck to you Leo. Marathons are fun and exciting but also be aware that they are not something that you should do for a lifetime. I’ll link you to an article by Art Devany:http://www.arthurdevany.com/?p=1262
Judy Vorfeld Says:
March 19th, 2009, 19:40 pm
Mark Hayward said to wish you luck in the Honolulu marathon, and that’s what I’m doing. I lived on Oahu for 7 years and absolutely love it.
I can imagine what it’s like right now, with so many fragrant plumeria trees, spectacular Bougainvillea, trade winds, and always, always the beautiful, dramatic ocean.
Hope you and your wife have a delightful visit, Leo.
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