Running the Transrockies Run
Crossing the finish line on Day 3 of the Transrockies Run in 2022.
As a trail runner who is always up for a good adventure, I knew it was time to throw on my trail running shoes and head to Colorado when the Transrockies Run popped up in my Instagram feed one day
What is TransRockies Run (TRR)?
It is a multi-day race held each August in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where runners can choose to run the full 6-day event or opt for the shorter 3-day option.
TRR will be going into its 17th year this summer, and is lovingly known as camp for big kids.
I have run the 3-day race two years in a row now, in 2022 and 2023 and had a TON of fun. For 2024, I am headed to a different Transrockies Race Series event in September, the Transrockies Golden Ultra. But I will probably be back in 2025 for TRR because it’s just so dang fun!
Okay, how does this multi-day race work?
There’s a bit of magic camaraderie about TRR that you don’t quite understand until you actually get out there on your first day. You feel the stoke of 350 other runners, start jamming to the pre-race tunes at the start line, see the cheesy (and nervous) smiles on everyone’s faces, and the TRR vibe starts taking a hold on you.
That’s when the race start countdown begins….10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and GO!!!
Day 1 of my first TRR in 2022.
For both the 6-day and the 3-day race option Days 1, 2, and 3 run the same course.
This is how it works:
Runners go out and run the designated race mileage for that day. There is usually at least a 7-8 hr cutoff for each day, so folks have plenty of time to finish. Starting Day 2, there is even a “Dawn Patrol” group that leaves an hour and a half early for those folks who plan to hike the whole distance.
Once you’re done running for the day, you pick up your camping gear, find a tent, and then usually head to the portable showers to clean up and get a massage if you signed up for one. There is also a small Awards ceremony around 4 p.m. each day for the overall and age group winners of each day’s distance.
Dinner is around 5 p.m. each day, so you can eat and then hang out in Chillville to rest, play games, etc.
After dinner, you are usually back in food tent at 6:30 p.m. for a race briefing that will give you the details of the next day’s route and share fun photos/videos from earlier in the day.
Once the race briefing is over, you can head back to Chillville or hit your tent to get ready for the next day.
A side view of Chillville where all the sponsors have tents set up each day.
The key to remember is that while TRR is TONS of fun with themed aid stations, costumed volunteers cheering for you, fun hangouts after the race each evening, lots of good food, and stunning scenery – this is still a HARD trail race. You will even get to run a part of the Leadville 100 ultramarathon route.
In fact, the entire multi-day race takes place between 7,000 – 12,500 ft. You are running up and down mountains, through some streams, and have the real possibility of seeing bears. So, lace up your big kid shoes because you will work to get to the finish line each day.
To give you an idea of what each day’s running entails, here is the mileage and elevation gain breakdown by day:
· Day 1 = 20 miles with 2200 ft of elevation gain
· Day 2 = 13 miles with 3,100 ft of elevation gain
· Day 3 = 24 miles with 2,300 ft of elevation gain. (This is where the 3-day race ends)
· Day 4 = 14 miles with 2,800 ft of elevation gain
· Day 5 = 23.5 miles with 4,000 ft of elevation gain
· Day 6 = 22.5 miles with 4,500 ft of elevation gain
Almost to the top of Hope Pass (elevation 12,500 ft) on Day 2 in 2022.
For more info on the course, the TRR site has all the details.
How do I know if TRR is for me?
Easy answer. If you like panting savagely while trying to hike/crawl up a steep mountain, aid stations staffed by volunteers sporting inflatable flamingoes, hugs from people in bear suits, and running madly down a hill convinced you’re going to make up time after that 25 min mile suffer sweat fest up to 12,000+ ft…this race is for you!
So, are you in? Great! Knew you would be stoked to give it a whirl.
I found Gandalf at the top of Hope Pass in 2023!
How to enter TRR
Though this is not a lottery race, it still is pretty popular and sells out every year. Here are three ways you can get in.
Use as sidebar box: 2024 dates are: August 12-17 starting in Buena Vista, CO, USA
Pay for your registration.
Volunteer at TRR one year, get a free registration for the next year.
Represent a sponsor or other team who is looking for runners.
Here’s the skinny on the 3 options.
1. Pay for your race registration. The ole traditional way of plunking down your hard-earned dollars to go run around the mountains, poop in a porta john, and eat food in a tent every day! And guess what? You’re gonna love doing it all!
I will say though, that the TRR entry fee is not cheap. But good news, people come from all over the world to do this (I met folks from as far away as South Africa my first year), and if you’re a Type 2 fun person, then this is pretty much a rad vacation or you.
The cost breakdown per entry option currently is:
6-day: $2399 per person if you are running as a team, $2599 if you are running solo
3-day: $1549 per person (no team option for the 3-day)
I know, I know! The price tag can hurt if you think of it just as a race registration. But keep in mind, this is a multi-day race and TRR provides a lot over the six days such as 2 large meals a day, fully stocked aid stations, camp setup, and tents for you to sleep in each day.
Your registration fee includes views like this!
For a full list of services that are included in entry fee, click here. (Scroll down the page to get to the exact spot.)
That being said, if the price is still making you hesitate, don’t give up entering just yet because I have….a discount code!
Plug in the discount code, NWR100, online when you register and you will get $200 off your entry fee. In full transparency, TRR often does run other special pricing promos on its social media pages throughout the year, so it is worth it to check if my code or another discount will be the best option for you.
IMPORTANT: Hurry and register if you want to use the discount code. As of now, TRR is already 85% full (as of today) if you want to run in 2024.
Note: the prices listed above do not include add-ons that TRR offers like airport shuttle service, sleeping pad rental, extra food pass for anyone traveling with you who is not a runner, etc. The only extra I have purchased in my two years of running it has been a daily massage after the race. Worth it, friends.
If you are interested in learning more about those extras before you register online, then check out the pricing page of the TRR website. It has all the add-on information that you need.
The TRR duffle is included with your race reg fee and is what you put all your gear in that is moved from campsite to campsite each day. Don’t worry about fitting all your stuff - even my teammate Missy could fit inside!
2. Volunteer at TRR one year, get a free registration for the next year. I love that TRR offers this volunteer program since it makes the event accessible for anyone as long as you are willing to work for your registration fee first.
So, how it works is that if you volunteer for the 6-day event one year, then you will get a free registration for the following year! Lots of people do this each year, with some people alternating each year whether they volunteer or run.
Just like the runners, volunteers get their tents and food taken care, plus get some cool volunteer swag. So, all you need to do is get to the race, and then you’re set.
One thing to note though, is that while all the volunteers that I have talked to agree that volunteering is a lot of fun, they all reiterate that it is hard work for the entire week. So, if that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you may want to plan for another way to fund your TRR race.
TRR volunteers set this whole camp up. Even the tents.
3. Represent a sponsor or other team who is looking for runners. This option is dependent on a lot, but since this is how I have been able to run TRR for the last two years, I had to mention it.
Sponsor route. TRR has several sponsors which is normal for any race, and while some of the sponsors send their own runners to compete in the race (Under Armor does this), at least one of the sponsors has created a team of two runners to represent them by asking people apply via social media. If you win, you get a free entry for two people to run Transrockies while representing Kahtoola.
Kahtoola has done this for the past 3 years. In fact, there is still 2 more days to enter if you and another person are interested in representing them as a team. Each year, they have different requirements. But head to their Instagram for all the details.
Other teams running TRR. Transrockies is a big on inclusivity and making sure there is representation for marginalized communities at their events.
One of the ways they do this is by offering some entries to a few organizations in the BIPOC community. Native Women Runnning (NWR) is the non-profit that I am a part of and for the first time in 2022, TRR offered NWR two comped entries which is actually how I was able to participate.
In 2022, NWR posted that they were looking for Native women runners to run TRR. I applied and was chosen with another Native runner from Arizona. When a different race sponsor offered NWR a third comped entry, our team was rounded out to three runners. Marlinda, Jo, and I were the first NWR team at TRR in 2022 and even though we didn’t know each other until we arrived at the race, we quickly bonded and had a blast.
The 2022 NWR team - Jo, Marlinda, and myself. This was the end of the race for us on Day 3. We look tired because we just finished running 24.5 miles.
In 2023, I was asked back to lead the NWR team running TRR, and I met my two other NWR teammates, Tish & Missy, at the race in August.
Our 2023 NWR team = Me, Tish, and Missy.
If running with Native Women Running (NWR) sounds interesting, I encourage you to follow NWR on Instagram and Facebook because they now have partnerships with several races across the US and Canada. Which means that they are regularly looking for runners to represent NWR at these events.
There is an application process and for some of the races (like TRR) there may only be a few spots on the NWR team so it can get competitive since several runners apply. But be patient, stay involved, and feel free to tag NWR in all your running adventures on Instagram and Facebook.
I have also seen the District Running Collective and Harlem Run at TRR, but I am not sure how they pick their runners or how many they send. If you are located in their communities then you can always reach out to them for more information.
Okay, I can feel that my Type 2 friends are probably ready to go, but before I leave you, here are some tips to help you get ready for the big TRR dance.
Get Ready for TRR Tips
For TRR first-timers, here are my top tips:
Read the TRR race guide twice (at least).
First time - shortly after registering so you know how to prep, train, what items you may need to secure before the race, and how to arrange any of the shuttle services to/from the airport. (Pro tip…shuttle reservations can fill up fast, so reserve those as soon as you can.)
Second time – Before you start packing for the race, read the race guide again so you what to bring (they have a great packing list), when to arrive, where to go for registration, and what to expect your first day. Reading the race guide will ensure that you are “in the know” and help to settle any nerves that you may have.
2. Join the Facebook group. The FB group is full of folks who do TRR every year, or have done it multiple times so these people have everything from the packing list to training down to a science. Everyone is super friendly and you can ask any question that you want. Also, this is a great way to connect with other runners before you even get to the race. For those that like to know ALL the info before the race, you can also attend one of the free online info sessions that the Race Director, Houda, holds. After registering for the race, stay tuned to your email for race updates that will share those info seh dates.
3. Sign up for the daily massages. This will cost you extra, but a 30 minute massage after my run everyday is what enabled me to run the next day with little to no soreness. Last year, the cost was $25 per 15 minute increment. 30 minutes was enough for me each day. So, $50 per day plus a $10 tip. Of course, tip is up to you. And I recommend that you bring cash for this. There is wifi in the camp at some locations, but it can be spotty. Last year, it took my friend’s transaction on her card 30 minutes to go through just to pay for the massage. Meanwhile, I paid in cash and just walked away after I was done.
5. Get the HEST mattress. – If you are a camper who loves sleeping on the hard, cold ground or your skinny, inflatable mattress pad that always leaks air, you can skip this recommendation. But if you are a bit of a bougie runner like me and have not slept on the ground since the family camping trip when you were 8 years old, may I suggest investing in the HEST mattress. Yes, it is ridiculously expensive and bulky, but your sweet sleep after running 20+ miles is totally worth it! But before making the big purchase, look out for a 15% discount code because HEST usually offers one for TRR runners as the race date gets closer.
Since HEST is a sponsor, this is the one extra thing besides your TRR bag that the luggage crew will transport for you every day to the new camp spot. I used my mattress for 2022 and 2023 and was the envy of many a fellow runner when I picked up my mattress after running 20 miles that day.
That’s all for now…
If you’re looking for more info before making the decision to run the race, they you will want to check out the TRR website which I have linked all over this article, but will link here for you again. On the site, they have the Race Guide, packing list, event schedule, and so much more.
But if I can help you with any questions, please send them my way. I hope you do register for the race. Because TRR is one adventure you won’t forget!
I Moved to New Mexico!
A big benefit of moving to New Mexico is that I now live only an hour away from Jemez Pueblo. Here I am running at the Red Rocks which is on our tribal land in Jemez.
I’ve been in New Mexico a month now, so I figured it was time to update the blogosphere with my new locale.
I have to tell you…three months ago, I had no inkling that I would be a New Mexico resident before the summer arrived. Yet here I type in my the computer room of my parents’ house in Sandia Park, NM (Albuquerque area).
What brought me here?
Combination of wanting to be near my mom who has been fighting the good fight against her autoimmune diseases, but was in need of sunshine in the form of moi and my chocolate fur monster AND wanting to chase some personal trail running/adventure goals.
I made the decision suddenly, but it was not a rash one. I knew moving to the mainland from Hawaiʻi was the right thing to do, so in 3 weeks I packed 7 7 large boxes & 5 small media boxes, said good-bye to work friends, sold or gave away all my furniture, and said farewell to my apartment I had lived in for 11 years. Then Ziva and I got on a plane bound for the mainland.
We flew into San Diego and stayed at my sister’s house for 2.5 weeks until my Nissan Rogue, aka Reggie, made port. During that time, my parents’ drove in from New Mexico to celebrate Easter weekend with my sister, her husband, myself and our dogs (my sister has two dogs, Ace & Eve).
Right after Easter lunch, we packed up the vehicles and started the 12+ hr drive to the Southwest.
That drive sucked.
My parents were in one Rogue with their senior Golden Retriever mix, Charley, and I was in Reggie with Ziva. We drove through the very bottom armpit of California and Arizona.
Now, I thought I was used to barren desert drives because I had driven from Southern California to New Mexico many times growing up. We used to live in Cali and would drive to see my grandma who lived on the Jemez Pueblo outside of Albuquerque, NM. But this drive was a different route than we used to take and there was absolutely nothing to see. I couldn’t take any photos because I was driving, but you aren’t missing anything by not getting a glimpse of that barren wasteland.
Things got better as we got farther into Arizona, and never was I so happy to reach our night’s destination near Phoenix, AZ. We stayed overnight at an Air Force base, and then got back on the road the next morning.
I was also hoping for a welcome to New Mexico sign photo, but it was on the other side of the road from our rest stop. So, just got this Arizona one.
About 8 more hours of roadtripping (should’ve only taken 6 hours, but we stopped a lot for snacks and Ziva potty breaks), we finally pulled into the drive way of my parent’s house.
It’s now been a month and two days since I pulled into the driveway of my parents’ home in New Mexico.
The plan is to stay with my parents’ for awhile to save some money, help out my mom on her bad days, and then after a bit Ziva and I will get our own place.
I’m still very much getting used to it here. Until last week it was nothing but cold and windy every day. Still windy most days, but now it’s warming up. And there are wildfires burning all across the state because it is so dry here. It’s quite sad, so please join me in praying for rain!
When I look out over the dusty brown landscape and think that I moved away from my luscious green island I do get sad and homesick from Hawaiʻi. But spending time with my family has been uplifting, and I know that it will just take some more time to adjust.
So far, I haven’t had any BIG adventures, but I have had some small ones. I ran the Shiprock Marathon, hiked the local major mountain trail, and trusted my mom enough to cut my bangs (she didn’t do too bad for her first time cutting my bangs in 20 years). Fortunately, there are a ton of trails nearby to run in the Sandia Mountains, so as soon as I can catch my breath from running at elevation I am going to pump out some trail races. Even registered for an ultramarathon already.
Currently, I am working full-time remotely, so planning BIG adventures around the work schedule has taken some juggling. But good news….I have an entertaining adventure coming up in 2 weeks. The only hint I will share is that it involves alligators!
If you’re local to the Albuquerque area and have any recommendations of adventurous or interesting outdoor things to check out, I would LOVE the suggestions. I think I have a hot air ballon ride and a SUP of the Rio Grande in my near future, so tune back in next week for more fun!
- Nicole
Make the Honolulu Marathon Your Next Destination Race
Loved the new race posters for this year’s Honolulu Marathon located at the race packet pickup location, the Honolulu Convention Center.
It’s a new year, and if you’re like me that means it is time to figure out the 2022 race calendar. Woohoo!
What races am I going to run? Should I try a new distance? And probably the most fun question of all. What destination race should I do this year?
Since that is my favorite question to figure out each year, I thought I would share a destination race recommendation for all my mainland and international friends. My recommendation is....the Honolulu Marathon in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.
While this is a hometown race for us Hawaiʻi folks, all my friends across the ocean can be sure that this race is definitely worth traveling for. I ran the race last month (3rd time running), and I still have that happy, post-race buzz.
Check out my top 6 reasons why I believe the Honolulu Marathon makes a great destination race.
Why does this make a great destination race?
Beautiful location! If you are traveling in for this race, come early or stay after the race to visit the island. If you looking for the good deals, coming early will probably be your best bet since flights to Hawaiʻi are generally cheaper in early December (they tend to go up dramatically after Dec 15). And I know you don’t want to come to Hawaiʻi alone, so grab your fav person or people and start planning your trip.
Ideal timeframe. In 2022, the marathon will be on Dec 11th, so if you start planning now you have lots of time to save up some spending money, get time off of work, and most importantly...time to train! Not to mention if you are live somewhere cold, December is a good time to escape to our shorts and tshirt weather.
All-level runner friendly marathon – There are no qualifications or cut-off times for the Honolulu Marathon, and the finish line stays open until the last person crosses. First time running a marathon? No worries....we have all levels of runners from the sub 3 hour speedsters to the local Auntie who enjoys walking the course each year.
Fun crowds line the course – At the beginning of the course, many of the school bands crank out fun Christmas tunes, and the locals line most of the course to cheer you on. Be sure to keep an eye out for Batman and your new favorite friends on the Diamond Head hill asking if you want a beer.
Fast, fairly flat course – I just checked my Garmin and I recorded only 774 feet of elevation gain for the entire course. That’s essentially for the same hill that you do twice. If you’re looking to PR for a road marathon in a warm, humid climate, I think this is your best bet!
Two other distances available – Looking for a shorter distance for your friend, family, or loved one to run? The good news is that the Honolulu Marathon weekend features three different races. You already know about the marathon so the other distances are…
The Kalakaua Merrie Mile is on Saturday (day before the marathon) and caters to everyone from the very fast (the current record is 3 min, 54 sec) to the moms and tots laughing their way down the road in their matching tshirts. It’s a fun event open to everyone.
Need something a little longer? The Sunday Start to Park 10k is a great option because you start with all the marathoners and run the same route through downtown and Waikiki until it ends at the Kapiolani Park. This past year, I saw several 10k runners wave goodbye to the marathoner they were running with and then gleefully make a mad dash for the 10k finish line. None of them looked sad to end their race 20 miles earlier than their friends.
Post marathon, changed out of my sweaty running clothes and into my new marathon finisher shirt
Other Details
COVID protocol in place. Because of COVID, the Honolulu Marathon did not send out any race packets early, and everyone had to pick up their own packet with ID and vaccination card ready to show. While we cannot yet know what the protocol (if any) will be for this year, I would plan for at least these precautions.
Race packet pickup is at the Honolulu Convention Center. Runners must pick up their race packets on the Friday or Saturday before the race (10-5 p.m. both days usually), so if you are arriving right before the race make sure you get here early enough to pick up your race packet which includes your number. Check the marathon website for more info about the Convention Center location because depending on where you are staying in Waikiki it may be a couple mile walk.
There usually is a Race Expo at packet pickup. This year the Expo was not as big due to COVID precautions and only featured race branded gear, but my friend and I still found cool Honolulu Marathon tech shirts to buy. Usually, the Expo features several vendors and I always plan extra time to check everything out. Items sell out quickly, so hit the Expo the first day on Friday for the largest selection.
Parking is expensive at the Honolulu Convention Center. This was my first year parking there and I was salty to have to pay the $12 fee, even as a local. This year I will go back to parking at the Ala Moana Center, and then just walk over. Note: that is not an official parking option, so park at your own risk. Other options include: Uber/Lyft drop off, parking at a public lot, metered parking near the venue.
Race start is at 5 a.m. and nearby streets start closing to vehicles at 1 a.m. Plan your race drop off accordingly. This year, I parked near the finish line and chose to walk the 2.5 miles to the start. Usually there is bus drop off at the start line for racers, but since they did not want to put lots of folks close together due to COVID, there was no bus option this past year.
After writing this I thought about putting together a list of cons, but I really could only think of one legit con. In non-COVID years, the Honolulu Marathon is usually the 3rd largest marathon in the nation with 30,000+ runners. While this means the marathon is well-organized with an exciting race buzz on the course, it can also feel crowded at times when running through a few more narrow streets.
I don’t hear many negative comments about the crowded streets so I don’t think it is a problem for many, but as someone who felt it the first two times I did the marathon I think it is worth mentioning in case any potential runners feel strongly about crowds.
If the crowd con doesn’t scare you away and you are ready to sign up, just hang onto your running shoes for a little bit longer. The 2022 Honolulu Marathon registration is not open yet, but I will update this article when it is.
Let me know in the comments below or send me a message if you have run the Honolulu Marathon before and what you thought about it! I would love to hear from you.
Okay, til next time.....
Go out and find your own adventure!
Nicole
Starting the journey - 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days
For me, a big part of living the adventure life is taking on challenges that push me mentally and physically.
If I am not sure that I can even accomplish the challenge....that’s when I sign up!
Hoping to look this happy while running the World Marathon Challenge!
Enter the World Marathon Challenge (WMC). The only event of its kind, the WMC is a logistical wonder as it takes runners around the world to complete 7 marathons on 7 different continents in only 7 days.
I want to run it! Especially since participating in the Challenge would allow me to visit some amazing destinations. Scheduled to start on February 6, 2022, the marathons will take place in:
Antarctica: Novo
Africa: Cape Town, South Africa
Australia: Perth, Western Australia
Asia: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Europe: Madrid, Spain
South America: Fortaleza, Brazil
North America: Miami, Florida
There is only one real roadblock that is keeping me from signing up right now. It costs 42,000 euro (about $50,000) just to register.
Since I do not have anywhere near that kind of money, I knew I had to come up with an alternate plan to cover the registration fee. After thinking about it for a couple of days, I decided to ask companies for financial sponsorship to cover the registration fee and basic travel expenses to and from the event.
In total, I am looking to raise $53,000. Considering I cringe (and check my bank account) any time a race registration fee costs over $100, this dollar amount is pretty daunting.
So, why do it?
World Marathon Challenge inspiration
To answer that we have to rewind back to 2016 when I first heard about the WMC.
It was a morning in January when I saw a photo online of Becca Pizzi standing triumphantly under a race blow-up arch in Antartica, her arms raised in the air. The caption said that she had just won something called the World Marathon Challenge where she had finished 7 marathons on 7 continents in only 7 days. She also broke the women’s record.
Wow! I leaned back in my desk chair, more than impressed with her accomplishment. But also the idea of running 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days captured my imagination that day.
I wondered if I could do it, but instantly pushed the idea out of my mind. There was no way someone like me who had barely finished the Honolulu Marathon two months earlier could accomplish something like that.
But still I had to find out more. I thought an interview with Becca would make a good topic for article that I was looking to write, so I reached out via Facebook.
Obviously, I didn’t know her, and she had never heard of me. I knew it was a toss up if she would even reply. But to my surprise, she replied and agreed to an interview.
It took a couple of tries, but we finally were able to connect via Skype. Becca was so nice, enthusiastic, and painted a beautiful picture of her World Marathon Challenge journey.
I wrote the article, got it published in an online women’s adventure magazine, and moved on. But I never forgot about the World Marathon Challenge. It stayed at the back of my mind, teasing me with the possibility of a grand adventure.
Fast forward to 2020. COVID hit and due to lockdown I found myself spending A LOT of time by myself at home. Running was keeping me sane and I even started exploring trails.
It was on one of those days when I was half running/half hiking a trail that the idea of entering the World Marathon Challenge randomly popped into my mind.
What? I quickly shook my head no at the thought, and then looked around worried that someone had seen me. I was safe. No one else was on the trail.
Running down the trail a little bit more, I started to consider the idea. Could I do it? Since that interview with Becca in early 2016, I had turned into a bit of an adventure junkie.
I had done things like run an ultramarathon in New Zealand, taken an alligator wrestling class in Colorado, tried paragliding and powered hanggliding, and gotten my freediving certification.
Very tired after finishing the 2017 Tarawera Ultramarathon in Rotorua, NZ
Could the World Marathon Challenge be my next big adventure? Suddenly, I just smiled. I really did want to run the World Marathon Challenge.
At that point, I needed validation that this was not a crazy idea, so I reached out to Becca. It had been almost 4 years since I had last emailed her after the article was published. But once again, she proved herself a lovely person by remembering me and enthusiastically encouraging me to go for it. That’s all I needed to hear.
Knowing that I didn’t have the cash to cover the hefty registration fee, I also asked Becca for any advice about raising the funds since she also had to raise her own registration fee. She shared some great ideas and I started to get excited.
But wanting to do something that costs $50,000 and actually doing it are two very different things. I needed to formulate a plan.
I emailed the race director to get some details and uncovered something interesting. If I entered in the World Marathon Challenge then I would be the first Native American woman to participate.
What an honor. But also what a responsibility. I thought of all my little girl cousins back on the rez and knew that seeing someone just like them finishing the World Marathon Challenge would be something they would find exciting.
It took about two weeks to figure it all out. I came up with a plan and that’s where I currently am at. I am now working the plan to seek financial sponsorship so I can be the first Native American female to run the World Marathon Challenge!
7/28 Sponsorship Update
I am one week into my seeking sponsorship campaign and while I have had some folks say no, two companies have already said yes. Woohoo...collectively I have $700 (and some product) so far!
So, to my first two sponsors, Wanderer’s Outpost and Saltstick....THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am grateful that you believe in me and are officially on board for this amazing journey.
That leaves me with $700 down and only $52,300 more to go. That is a lot. I won’t pretend that it is not, especially since so many businesses took such a financial hit during COVID and may not have the funds to contribute. But since everything gets a bit easier after the first company agrees to contribute, I am going to ride that enthusiastic high and keep sending out my emails.
Another piece of motivation is that I decided to donate any funds raised over my goal to two non-profits:
Running Strong for American Indian Youth – Started by 1964 Native American Olympic gold medalist, Billy Mills, Running Strong helps Native Americans meet their immediate survival needs while also implementing programs that build self-sufficiency and self-esteem. I will run their virtual 10k this week.
Girls on the Run Hawaiʻi (GOTR Hawaiʻi) - A fun organization that uses an experience-based curriculum, GOTR integrates running to inspire girls in grades 3-5 to be joyful, healthy, and confident. I also plan to be a volunteer coach this fall season for my local GOTR chapter.
The thought of being able to donate a large amount to both of these amazing organizations really fires me up!
Where do I go from here?
There is some urgency in seeking financial sponsorship since the World Marathon Challenge is capped at about 50 runners (first come, first serve) so that is my number 1 priority right now.
But while I am seeking sponsorship, at the same time I am also spending a lot of time training. Running 183.4 miles in 7 days is something I have never done before so this is uncharted territory.
Running around my neighborhood to train
But I have learned that with a plan to act as your map, you can navigate anything. So, with a little over 6 months til the February start date, I am focusing on training physically and mentally. To help me prepare, I am reading Susannah Gill’s book, Running Around the World. In the book, she shares about her training and experience running the 2019 World Marathon Challenge where she set a new world record average time of 3 hrs, 28 min, 9 seconds.
While her descriptions of all 7 of the marathons are what prompted me to buy the book, it’s her included training plan that I was really stoked to discover. In fact, with some adjustment for my fitness level (I definitely cannot run Susannah’s pace) I plan to use the training plan outlined in her book to prepare.
She also recommended that runners read three other books to mentally build prepare yourself to tackle this multi-day challenge. They are all on my to-read list. The first book, Grit by Angela Duckworth, is actually something I read for work two years ago, but since it’s such a great book I am going to read it again.
This is the beginning of what I know will be great journey that will only end after I cross that last marathon finish line in Miami. Training will consume the rest of my year and through January, but this adventure is definitely worth it.
Once I am able to financially register for the race, I plan to do a big announcement on my Instagram and then will follow with regular updates via this blog and on my social media.
For those companies that would like to support financially, you can reach out via the form on my Contact page or feel free to email me directly at liveholoholo@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
It’s going to be a phenomenal adventure. I hope you follow along.
Til next time,
Nicole
Adventure Categories
Everyone is a geek. I absolutely believe that. We just all geek out on different things.
And me.....surprise, surprise, I geek out on adventures.
Researching potential adventures, planning adventures, testing adventure gear, and of course, going on adventures – I love it all!
But since I enjoy different types of adventures, I now categorize them to help me keep track of my “adventure resume”:
Every day adventures
Adventures I “try out” or have to do on a tour/tandem
Race adventures
Wildlife encounters
Every day adventures are ones I do all the time. That list includes hiking, trail running, standup paddleboarding (SUP), and SUP surfing. Since I am blessed to live on a beautiful island even these every day outings usually garner me some amazing views.
Give me the west side of Oʻahu any day of the week.
The second category (the “try out” category) is a bit more adventure sexy like parasailing, ziplining, paragliding, powered hang gliding, skydiving, and bungee jumping.
Paragliding tandem with my instructor over Makapuʻu Point on Oʻahu. I even got to fly for a bit!
Race adventures is the category that I unknowingly kicked off in 2017 when I ran my first ultra, the Tarawera Ultramarathon (TUM) in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Hurting and very tired at the end of the 2017 Tarawera Ultramarathon in Rotorua, New Zealand.
Since then I have added Spartan obstacle course racing (OCR) to the list. I also was registered for a big marathon in June across a wildlife preserve in South Africa, but unfortunately that got cancelled due to COVID. Don’t worry, I will still do that one. Just another day.
The last adventure category is wildlife encounters. Living in Hawaiʻi has spoiled me with opportunities to swim or SUP with dolphins, sharks, rays, honu (turtles), and fish. I have even sneaked back to the US mainland for some epic animal adventures, but I will save those tales for their own blog post.
Like your car side mirror message, “objects are closer than they appear.”
If you’re unimpressed after reading my adventure list - I get it. I’m definitely not Red Bull athlete level, nor am I racking up any podium finishes. Heck, I’m not even naturally athletic.
In fact, I’m a slow runner. I’m scared of heights. I hate mud. I even failed my freediving certification class.
All of that is true, but there is also another side to it all.
I’m a slow runner (for now), but I love to run. So, I enter races.
2019 XTerra Trail World Championships. Nowhere near a podium finish, but had a lot of fun.
I’m scared of heights, but I love to challenge myself. So, I went skydiving.
I hate mud, but I love those summit views. So, I hike.
I failed my freediving certification class the first time, but I passed it the second time! So, I swim with dolphins now.
I learned that if I loved the experience or outcome, then I should never let anything hold me back.
This is what I hope to share with people the most. If you find an outside athletic activity that brings you joy, then keep doing it. Don’t let yourself feel self-conscious because you are a beginner. Heck, we were all beginners once.
Remember, it doesn’t matter if you are trying something for the first time or are a pro adding another skill to your adventure resume, she (or he) who is having the most fun always wins!
Til next time,
Nicole
Why I love adventure
Welcome to my adventure blog!
Thanks for checking out my first post! To kick us off, I wanted to share my story so you understand why I love adventure.
The adventure life found me 11 years ago when my then coworkers kept coming back from their weekends bruised and cut up, but positively frothing with stories of their weekend adventures.
While I had spent my Saturday shopping or lying on the beach they had gone skydiving, hurtled down mountains at 40 mph on mountain bikes, dove with sharks, and got into all kinds of adrenaline-fueled craziness. It sounded awesome. And I wanted in.
It started with one skydive. But before you expect me to go all cliche and say that I just fell in love with skydiving right then and there…..know that I actually didn’t love the jump. To be honest, I got dizzy sick on the way down and the harness bruised my leg.
It wasn’t the activity that got me excited. It was the feeling.
The feeling of trying something new and not knowing how it was going to turn out. Of being really scared but also excited. Of pushing myself completely out of my comfort zone to be rewarded with an amazing experience.
Since I discovered that feeling I have given myself over to trying all sizes of adventurous activities, everything from micro to epic.
Parasailing, ziplining, paragliding, powered hang gliding, and bungee jumping are some of the adrenaline related activities. You could probably throw swimming with sharks and taking an alligator wrestling class into that category as well.
On the daily, I enjoy running and have done everything from a 5k race, to a Spartan obstacle course race (OCR), to an ultramarathon. SUP surfing and freediving round out the “norm” adventure list.
The crazy thing is that I’m not really “good” at any of these things. I am terrified of heights, an average runner, and fall off more waves than I catch.
The end of a wave on the west side of O’ahu
BUT I love it all. And I have learned so much about myself along the way because adventure can act as the exact opposite of the familiar. When I stepped out of the familiar to challenge myself that is when I grew by leaps and bounds as a person. I have also met cool people, saw amazing sights, and had unforgettable experiences.
And BONUS....the more I adventure the better I conquer at work.
If I have an exciting weekend, then I am completely refreshed for work on Monday. But if I get stuck running errands on Saturday & Sunday, watch out! Cranky pants Monday, here I come.
If you are already a lucky one who gets to adventure full-time - I raise my Dr Pepper to you. Keep livin’ that dream! But if you are like me and currently juggling the adventure life with your business world, stick around because we are also going to talk about that navigating that work/adventure balance.
Basically, you can look forward to lots of fun in Hawaiʻi coming to you soon.
Til next time…adventure on, my friends!
- Nicole