Adventureye

Last year I was on a training hike through Haleakala crater, 40 pounds on my back, feeling quite pleased with myself that I had such a good pace going, when suddenly two people ran past me in jogging shorts. They stopped to chat and I told them how badass they were and how impressed I was. I watched them jog up the switchbacks while I hadn’t yet made it to the base of the trail. I guess that experience stuck in my psyche somewhere, floating around telling my brain, “You can do that, too. You can be that cool,” because last Thursday night, I decided to jog all the way through the crater. I packed up some food and drink to leave in my cooler in the truck, packed my camelback with a Mojo bar, a Clifshot and a roasted potato. I also carried some arnica, Topricin and a bit of duct tape wrapped around a pencil in case the lava ripped the sole from one of my trail runners. Yesterday at 6:30 am I left my truck at the Halemauu parking lot and hitched a ride to the top of the mountain. Thanks to the lovely couple from Bothell, Washington that picked me up. Congrats on the 20th anniversary!
I was nowhere near as cool or as fast as the two I encountered last year. They actually jogged non-stop up the switchbacks. I ran most of the way from the top of Sliding Sands to the base of the switchbacks with a few rest/snack/pee breaks, but from there I had to walk quite a bit. The entire trip took 3:48 which is dreadfully slow for an 11 mile run but it is pretty rugged terrain going from 10,000 to 7500 feet in the first 2 miles then up and down for 6 miles across the floor of the crater then from 6600 feet up to 8000 in the last 2 miles of switchbacks. So while I still don’t consider myself a Badass, I was once again feeling quite pleased with myself even though my leg could barely press in the clutch when I got to my truck.
I celebrated at my favorite local pub, Milagros with good friends and an unprecedented three beers. Luckily today is a rest day. Think I’ll ice my knees.