The Ultimate Hawaiian Trial Run 2018
This year I was lucky enough to be able to travel down to Kauai and participate in the Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run that is put on by the Keala Foundation. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! It has taken me a couple of weeks to come down from my Hawaii high and put some words on paper about this incredible cause and the joy that came from it all. So, after some reflection, I have narrowed down my top five moments from the UHTR!
The Keala Foundation is home to multiple facilities that provide a diversity of empowering and engaging program opportunities for children, adults, and families. All programs are entirely free for kids. That’s right, FREE! This community shows children that they are loved and valued.
Every year, the Foundation puts on the UHTR to fundraise money so they can provide free youth fitness programs and community outreach. Before the trail run begins, the volunteer coaches (which included some pretty cool Games athletes and company owners) are given a team of three kids who are part of the program. My three girls were: Kayleigh (middle school), Kailana, and Milana (both elementary school) aka Team West Side. After getting to know each other, we talk strategy for the upcoming competition, and generally get excited!
FIVE TOP MOMENTS:
1. My first moment goes to Team West Side. My girl, Kayleigh, went into her first workout super nervous. Who remembers their first competition? I was stressed out of my mind! And imagine that at 14 years old. The first workout didn’t go as Kayleigh wanted, but that didn’t stop her. Gearing up for the second workout, I could tell she was ready to go. And she absolutely CRUSHED IT! She was pedaling above 300 watts on the assault bike every time she was up; she executed her overhead squats perfectly (something she had been working really hard on); and she finished off the team workout with super fast sets of 5 burpee slam ball over shoulder. I was ecstatic! You could tell competing meant so much to her, and it brought me so much joy to see her out there doing her thing! My other two girls, Kailana and Milana, were equally awesome and were pumped up right from the start! Kailana was busting out dance moves and rocking her backwards hat, while sweet Milana was determined and smiley the whole time. It was so much fun to be able to cheer them on and direct them as they competed. I’m so proud of them and honored that I got to be a part of their competition.
2. My second moment brings me to the start of the race.. woah - it was super spiritual for me. To be surrounded by so much love and joy – it is a feeling that is difficult to put into words. We are all standing at the starting line. All 1,136 of us, corralled and ready to go. The minutes are passing by and the energy is overwhelming. Each person at the race is there for a bigger purpose. Each person is there because they want to do better! And you feel it. For me, I felt God there. I felt His presence and His joy. And it made me want to cry! Big happy tears. It was in this moment, I felt ultimate gratitude – so thankful for being able to be there. Thankful for the opportunity to be surrounded by amazing people and the opportunity to shine light. God is so good!
3. My third moment was the opportunity to be connected to people. This is what I live for! I love getting to know people. I had the chance to get to know so many new people, as well as grow existing relationships. I truly believe God puts people in our lives for a reason, and He uses all the things we’ve been through to connect with them. And Kauai is the perfect place to slow down a little and spend time in conversation with others. It was absolutely wonderful.
4. In my fourth moment, I learned how to surf. Even though I was super fearful (I mean sharks are real!), I still went out in the water and gave it a go. And you know the craziest part? When I was out in the water, I didn’t think about a shark once! With a little help from my instructor, I was able to stand up on the second go and then continued at it for another hour with my girl, Haley Adams, and Coach Chris Hinshaw (who might as well be a pro surfer!). It was a blast! There is something so peaceful about being in the water – minus the fact that my eyes were crazy bloodshot from the salt water. Oh and the water also helped clear out my sinuses, haha!
5. My final moment comes down to food. The best poke in the world is in Hawaii. I had poke every day, nom nom. The fish is so fresh and delicious. Next there’s the açaí bowls. They look beautiful and they taste amazing! I wish I had time to try all the flavors. Looks like I’m just going to have to go back so I can try them all. :) Then, there’s the coffee.. who doesn’t love a great cup of coffee? The coffee shops there are phenomenal. I love all the open windows, colors, and artwork!
So, there it is – my top five moments. There were so many other incredible moments I had in one short week on Kauai. The island is truly different than any place I’ve ever been. There is definitely darkness there, just like any place in the world, but there is also so much goodness and light! In John 1:5 we are reminded of this, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” If you have a chance to get to the Ultimate Hawaiian Trail Run in your lifetime, I highly recommend it. It is hands down the best trip I’ve ever taken. If you’re unable to make the trip to Kauai, don’t forget that it is still possible to make a difference in these kids’ lives by donating to the Keala Foundation! #Mahalo
