Ford Island Race-Hawaii 2011

Ford Island is always a nice race to enter. This is a military base and for most folks this is the only time you are allowed on base.

Before the race everyone looks fresh and ready to go. This was taken around 6:30AM

Donna, Jeanne and Ken

Same fresh group except I am included.

Donna, Jeanne, and me

More fresh bodies added when Bob and Jutta joined us.

Donna, Jeanne, Ken, Bob, Jutta and I am in front

And the gun sounded and 3,000 bolt across the starting line.

 Only 6.2 miles to go.

I turned around to take this picture and I have to make it fast or else I'll be run over by the galloping herd.

She was in my last picture (front, middle left), I caught up with her on the next bend. We stopped for a Kodak moment.

We're heading toward the battleship, Missouri.

General Douglas MacArthur presided over the Surrender of Japan on the Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

We are around the 3 miles mark and everyone is enjoying the 83 degree weather.

Ford Island Naval Air Station, in the middle of Pearl Harbor, was headquarters of Patrol Wing Two, and an important target for the Japanese first wave raiders. Reportedly, the initial bomb of the whole attack burst there, prompting the message that electrified the World: "Air Raid, Pearl Harbor--this is no drill.". Several PBY patrol seaplanes and other aircraft were destroyed on Ford Island, and one big hangar was gutted. In all, 33 planes were put out of commission there.

 

We  have our own rooting section as we run by the Air Museum.

Also mom and her two kids waiting for their "daddy" to run by. Notice the wonderful ambiance of the base and the housing.

I stopped and looked back, notice the herd has thinned out a bit. We are at about the 4 to 5 mile mark. There's a guy in a white t-shirt that has his arms in "victory" formation, I hope he doesn't think this is the finish line because I stopped to take his picture....

Navy Lodge Pearl Harbor Now Open For Authorized Guests

With a simple untieing of the lei, military personnel, retirees and their families now have the option of staying at a Navy Lodge while PCSing or traveling in Hawaii. On Jan. 28, the Navy Lodge Hawaii opened its 150 affordable, comfortable, air conditioned rooms and suites.
"The opening of this Navy Lodge has been long-awaited by active duty personnel who come to Hawaii," said Michael Bockelman, Director of the Navy Lodge Program. "The Navy Lodge offers a nice affordable alternative all while taking advantage of the convenience and security of staying on base."

See, I told you this was restricted area, therefore, we were privileged to run this course.

No one attempted to confiscate my camera.

Oh boy, this is bad news, after this sign is the Ford Island Bridges which is a killer with it's up and down concourse coming at exactly the wrong time...at the very end of the race when your legs are like rubber...

How can I not stop to photograph the Arizona Memorial?

"A Day that will Live in Infamy"

On the USS Arizona 1,177 crew members perished, making it the greatest loss of life on any U.S. warship in American history. There is an eerie silence when you visit the memorial, even a moment of flashback when you notice air and oil bubbles still flowing from the hull of the Arizona.

This is the bridge concourse, maybe they should name it "heart break hill" after the one in Boston, MA for their marathon.

Donna's making her way to the top and near the finish line, she's looking perky and smiling.

Water, Hawaiian sweet bread, bananas, Popsicle, yogurt and Gatorade await us!!

A fellow finisher, she was very happy to have run the race as she was recently hospitalize and didn't know whether she would even be in it. Congratulations!

And more congratulations as they come across the finish line. Job well done.

Our own team members, Ken and Jeanne high stepping across the finish line. Way to to go!

It's free, Ken's going to take advantage of it or already has....how do you spell relief?
No wonder he finished in a rush.....

Another year and another bowl for Jutta. She's one of the elites of her age group.

To the winners go the spoils.

Another year and another bowl for Bob too. In his younger days, he was a champion bicycle racer, now he feels safer with his feet on the ground. Congratulations!

Bob's name and finish position is posted 3rd from the top. He came in #2 in his age group. I hope he doesn't mind his age in print on this blog.

How do we look after our finish?
Allen, Bob, Jeanne, Donna, Jutta, Nola and Ken

Jutta and Jeanne admiring the winner's hardware (wood-ware in this case)

We decided to have breakfast after the race at Waioli Tea Room, Aren't these grounds spectacular?

Waioli Tea Room, Honolulu, Hawaii.

The special of the day.

Three egg omelet with avocado, green onions and mushrooms.

Frittata with brown rice and salsa.

 

 It's been a good day...our tummy's are full and now it's time for a nap....

Donna, Allen, Nola and Ken signing off from the Waioli Tea Room.