2017 Kona Marathon – Race Recap

2017 Kona Marathon Race Recap Sunday morning June 25th, my first quarter marathon. Yes, I have done hundreds of marathons, but it’s been a while since I ran one and I’ve never done a Quarter Marathon. So, grateful the Kona Marathon Events offers not only a Quarter, but a 5k, Half and Full Marathon. Could I have done the half or the full? Sure. But I really wanted to be there to cheer on the other runners and interview the winners of the half and full. In addition, my training has not been quite up to speed, so this was perfect. The start line is about 1 mile from the host Hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa. I just want to point out that the hotel is fabulous. Here are a few pictures of how amazing it is:

The start line is near the Queens Market Place and there was a shuttle from the hotel to take you to the start. Of course, I woke up late and ended up running to the start line and wasting half my energy. Good job Julie. All I can say is, thank goodness for the UCC Kona Coffee that was waiting for me at the start line. Other than my tardiness it was a magical start to the race. As the sun rose up over the mountains, Miss UCC Kona Coffee was there to add to the beauty and I was there to get it on video and capture all the exciting faces and spirits ready to run. I met a new friend, Megan, who was also running the quarter. She turned out to be quite the speed demon and in my age group 🙂

I also met many friends at the Health & Fitness Fair on Saturday at the Hilton when they stopped by the Project Purple table. So many people have been affected by pancreatic cancer. I was very grateful to be out there doing my part, advocating for a cure and representing the nations largest pancreatic cancer running charity. A huge mahalo to everyone who used the discount code KMGODDESS and especially the Kona Marathon for donating $1,160 to Project Purple. You were the runners who made it possible. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for that. We are in this together.

We even brought darling Amelia, my Grandbaby to help represent.

It was now time to start the Quarter Marathon. It wasn’t too hot since the race starts nice and early and they have water misters to run through on the race course and I took full advantage of each one. The volunteers were out in force. Very grateful to see their smiling faces and aloha spirit. I bought some new shoes to give me that extra pep, but the only pep seemed to be coming from the UCC coffee I drank before the race. My shoes felt like I was running in snow boots. Good thing I was doing the Quarter. I tried running in the Hooka shoes for a few reasons, one because they were purple and two because I really thought they would be the perfect ones. Yeah, maybe if I want to climb a volcano but not run a fast race. I still ended up 3rd in my Age Group with a 10:20 pace. I will take it, since it was my first Quarter Marathon, that’s an instant PR, right? Don’t answer that. My friend won 3rd FOA and 1st AG. Maybe one day I will too.

The winners of the Half were Christopher Rayder 1:17 and Holly Ballenger with a 1:35. The winners of the Full were Kentaro Mesuda, 2:52 and Bree Wee, 3:08. I caught up with Bree after the race and was so honored to meet her, I could barely ask any questions, I was so nervous, but she was super nice and gracious.

The finish line was beautiful, my husband David and volunteers helped decorate it, complete with flowers, local ferns and love. The finish line food was in abundance as was the aloha spirit of the Big Island of Hawaii.

After the race my husband went back to the hotel to enjoy all it’s beauty, the pools with the family, the waterfalls, did some paddling with the baby and got caught in a wave.

Can’t wait until next year’s 25th Anniversary of the Kona Marathon, June 24, 2018. Not sure how it will top this year, but excited to find out and so should you be. Join me in Hawaii for a “runcation” and use the KMGODDESS coupon code when you register to receive $10 off your Marathon or Half Marathon entry fee or $5 off the Quarter Marathon or 5K. Plus, the Kona Marathon Events will match those amounts in a donation to Project Purple at the end of the event. A hui hou . . . . . see you next June, Julie xo Marathon Goddess

Follow me on Facebook page for Updates Join me June 24th, 2018 and remember to use Discount Code KMGODDESS – Click here to Register

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Your Next Run Vacation. The Kona Marathon June 25, 2017!

Kona Marathon Events on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii is coming up. There are so many reasons to come and do this race, I don’t even know where to begin. But I will start with the obvious, it’s in Hawaii! The race takes place in The Waikoloa Beach Resort and has the most amazing host hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The views are breathtaking and the restaurants are delicious.

My favorite is the brunch. I think I ate there every day especially the day after the marathon when I may have eaten everything! The hotel is kid friendly, I even took my Grandbaby along for the ride.

Speaking of ride, they have a boat ride and a monorail that goes through the hotel and takes you to your room – for free!

You are surrounded by lagoons, dolphins, pools and waterslides. You really don’t even need to go anywhere. But I do recommend getting a car and doing some sight-seeing, for instance going to see the lava eruptions at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I could go on and on, but let me tell you about the Marathon. ☺

The new course just keeps getting better and better. There is more shade and they have water misters along the race course which keeps you nice and cool. Love running through them, it’s so much fun. The Aid Stations are plentiful, stocked with hydration, ice, lots of volunteer smiles and aloha spirit. Also a great place to get your 50th state, or if you are on your journey to 50 as so many Marathon Maniacs are. Pictured below is my dear Rock Star friend Mark Kramer, who finished his 50th state at the 2015 Kona Marathon. It was an honor to cross the finish line with him.

There is a race for everyone. On June 17th they have the Aloha Keiki Run for kids ages 1 to 15 at the Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua.

On race day June 25, they have a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and a 5K and guess what? I have a DISCOUNT code for you! When you register, and use the code KMGODDESS you will save $10 off the full marathon or half marathon and $5 off the Quarter Marathon or 5K. Every time the code is used the Kona Marathon will graciously donate an amount equal to the discount to Project Purple to help cure Pancreatic Cancer. It’s a Win Win!!!

Have I mentioned the coffee yet? As if you needed another reason to come and do this race, here it is. UCC Kona Coffee is the title sponsor of Kona Marathon Events. My absolute favorite! 100% Kona Coffee. Rich and delicious. Plus it makes you run faster. 😉

This will be my 6th year returning to the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. It was number 11 in my 2013 magical journey of 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer. I always say, “Number 11, like running in heaven” and it truly is. Come visit my booth at the Health and Fitness Fair on Saturday, June 24 at the Hilton Convention Center.

I am very grateful to be a Kona Marathon Ambassador. It is an honor to represent a marathon truly embracing that Aloha Spirit. I hope you will join me June 25, 2017. Come out and let your Aloha Spirit SHINE and I will see you at the finish line. Register here: www.konamarathon.com.

We Got This!- Julie xo

A Big Mahalo to the Amazing Sponsors:

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Flashback: The 2012 New York Marathon, The Marathon that Never Was!

The 2012 New York City Marathon was supposed to be Marathon number 32 in my streak of 52 marathons in 52 weeks, but it turned out to be, “The Marathon that Never Was.” Now some 40 marathons later, we’re back and still going strong.

Marathon 96, in my new Purple ASICS!

Here’s a great example of what my life was like during the 52 marathons in 52 weeks, although this example is a little extreme. Take The 2012 New York City Marathon. You may be thinking, there was no New York City Marathon in 2012. That is correct, because about 1 hour after we landed in NYC and checked into out hotel; we found out, due to Super Storm Sandy, the marathon was cancelled. Now what? To keep the streak alive, I had to run a marathon that weekend. I wrote about my New York Marathon Experience in my blog titled: The Marathon that Never Was! “It started as an exciting adventure, which quickly took a sharp turn. As super storm sandy slammed down on the east coast, it took a piece of my heart along with it. For me, I went to New York to run, along a with so many others, to show the American people that we are a courageous people in the face of heartbreak and recommit to hope and possibility when things are the hardest. But it wasn’t meant to be. We arrived on Friday at JFK. In the cab ride to our hotel our driver was telling us all the horror stories going on. Generators and back up generators were sitting there, not being used, and in place for the marathon. Meanwhile there were still millions without power and shelter and some without food. My heart sank. As we got closer to the hotel I saw a two mile long line of cars waiting for gas. Then I see a hanging crane dangling over the city streets. Wind had broken the massive steal crane, dozens of stories above the city streets. If not for the wires holding it, the top of the crane, dangling 100s of feet above, would have crashed to the ground. The streets were barricaded off and no one was allowed within a block or two. I sank deeper into the floor of the taxi. What other horrors were we in for, I wondered? We arrive at our hotel and get a quick bite and we are ready to head to the expo for a great opportunity and interview with Poland Springs water. I had CBS/KCAL news following my marathon adventure in New York, which quickly became more interesting to them because within just minutes after we arrived at our hotel, we hear a rumor that the marathon was cancelled. The rumor quickly became a reality and honestly my first reaction was a sense of relief. The next thing I did was order a drink and console friends. There was a young woman, who had also just arrived, and similar to us, also had not been to her room yet. She had come all the way from London to do the New York Marathon. Ouch! She was horrified, in a sad and quiet way. Now I had to figure out the next plan of action. Quick find another marathon! I called friends, posted on Facebook, someone please register me for the Santa Clarita marathon in California. I knew it was on the same day as New York. Next, get a flight home. Called my travel agent and we booked the first available flight, back to LA, the next morning. We made the best out of our 12 hour stay in NYC. I had a big press conference with the New York Roadrunners and a photo shoot which had all been cancelled. A fantastic article in the official program was printed in mass. Thousands of them, that no one got to see. L It would have been huge for Pancreatic Awareness. We then had a nice dinner with David’s family, snuck into Central Park and did a quick bandit run. The finish line had mostly been erected, but now completely abandoned. With absolutely no one around, at night, in minimal street lighting, we ran the finish line of the New York Marathon. Somehow, with no one there to give us a medal or even notice, it still felt good. There is something special about a finish line, even one not fully assembled.

Sneaking into Central Park to run through the finish line ;0

Early next morning we hop on a plane back to LA, with little to no sleep. Once arrived, we immediately drive to the Santa Clarita marathon expo to register. After another few hours of sleep, Sunday morning, I am off and running the Santa Clarita marathon, #32 of 52. The 52 lives on and the people of NYC were heard. On the way to my marathon I heard that thousands of marathoners were on the ferry to Statin Island, to help out the now homeless and displaced. Though the storm had destroyed the hopes of the marathon, the marathoners had brought a little hope to those in need. That made my heart sing. Santa Clarita marathon was hot and fun. It was not NYC. We had 500 marathoners vs. 50,000. I ended up running 28 miles. At mile 14 I went back to help out a friend who was ready to quit, which gave me the extra miles. This marathon adventure was a bit crazy, but nothing as hard as the fight against Pancreatic Cancer. Here is a picture of me sneaking into Central Park the night the race was cancelled to run through the finish line and on the right, here I am finishing Santa Clarita that same weekend. Nothing would stop us, not even Super Storm Sandy!

The Santa Clarita Marathon, marathon 32 of 52! We did it!

The New York Marathon will always be special, not only because of the amazing spirit and the people, but my Dad was from Brooklyn, I know he’d be proud and I know he’s still here with me. Next week is Santa Clarita Marathon, next week!? Here we go again!! We Got This! Please donate today and let’s put pancreatic cancer out of business! Thank You! Click here to donate to Project Purple!

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Why I’m running 100 Marathons?

Why 100 marathons? I know it sounds a little crazy, but actually so many people have done way more than 100 marathons. There are some people that have even done over 100 marathons in one year. Yes it is true. Yolanda Holder, Trent Morrow, Larry Macon they are all world record holders and have run way more than 100. So whether it’s 100 marathons, 100 years, 100 miles, 100 bottles of beer, (wait that’s 99), the number 100 is a milestone and a BIG number. I figured it would be another great way to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer. It wouldn’t be easy though, I had to cram in about 13 marathons in 6 months and give up my goal of re-qualifying for Boston, but to me this was bigger and more important. It’s will be 100 marathons over eight years. You see, eight years ago, I was a single mom, raising two teenage kids. I was stuck, depressed and overweight. But instead of acknowledging that voice within, I filled the void with lots of comfort food and an array of extra-strength antidepressants, which I desperately needed at the time.

In April of 2007, at my lowest point, my parents treated my kids and I to a week long vacation in Kauai. When I hit the beach that first day swimming in the ocean and running on the sand something in me awoke. In that moment, for the very first time in I don’t remember how long, I began to feel alive again. It was if I was being reinvigorated by the energy of the sea, the waves and the sand. While I was on vacation, I didn’t miss a day of swimming and running. I immediately felt more positive, and confidant, so much so that I made a pact with myself to keep running with my dog when I returned home to Santa Monica. And I kept that pact and did one better, I stopped taking those supercharged antidepressants. Running became my new antidepressant. I simply did not need them anymore, however some do and I thank god that we have medication to help those who need it. But with a clearer mind and a healthier body, I felt like I could take on the world! With this feeling as my fuel, I signed up for my very first event, a triathlon.

Just five short months after I stepped foot on the beautiful sandy shores of Kauai, I completed the triathlon. As you can see exercise wasn’t just great for my spirit, it was good for my waistline too, I lost 35 pounds in about 5 months as I trained for this event. From the first Triathlon, my father became my biggest and most devoted fan. I thought, hey, if I can finish a triathlon and a ½ marathon, what’s stopping be from finishing a full 26.2 mile marathon? So in 2008, I signed up for my very first marathon. The 2008 Los Angeles Marathon.

Don’t I look happy and refreshed? No, I actually hit the wall at mile 14. Ouch! I am happy to say I did finish, but when I crossed over the finish line I thought, that was truly AWFUL! I think I’ll just stick to 10ks and ½ Marathons. But the lore of qualifying for Boston kept me coming back for more. 18 times more, I thought the more marathons you ran, the faster you would get. I was a newbie and doing all my training at race pace, but I was still having fun, sort of. I finally hired a coach and on my 18^th attempt, I missed qualifying by 2 minutes. I was disappointed, but not nearly as disappointed as I would be when my mom called me the next day to tell me that my father had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and there was nothing the doctors could do.

Sadly, my father passed away just 35 days after diagnoses. I felt lost, shocked, devastated and hopeless. My father was my biggest fan, there was nothing like the joy he got when he saw me run and I wasn’t about to stop now. I had another race coming up in just 10 days after he passed away. Anyone would have understood if I didn’t run it, but I ran that race, and YES I qualified for Boston that day, with my hands pointed to my father in Heaven and my rapture is for us both. He was in my heart, and I knew we had done it together. I still get chills as I tell the story today!

After that day, one thing became very clear to me. If your goal doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you. This was my truth, just a few years ago, my life was off course, and I lacked purpose, a north star. Running gave me the answer. But after everything I had been through with losing my dad and learning about pancreatic cancer, I knew I needed to do something BIG. So I woke up one morning, with this crazy, half-baked idea that I could run 52 marathons in 52 weeks. I didn’t know how I would do it, but there was nothing that would stop me.

Now some would say 52 marathons in 52 weeks is crazy and enough, and for a while it was. However, cancer does not take a day off and I feel like I still need do more. It is my mission. So here I am, at 93 lifetime marathons completed. Who would have thought? If I at 37, a person who never ran in school, could complete such a feat, there is no telling what you can do. Our dreams are still possible. Maybe mine came in the form of a mid life crisis, but that’s ok. Some people go shopping, some start drinking or far worse. It was running that saved my life and now possibly the lives of others. While reflecting on the many lessons I’ve learned on this journey, one of the most important is to “Always do what you are afraid to do”, but remember, whatever you do, means so much more, when you do it for someone else. Now with every marathon I run, I dedicate it to someone affected by cancer. It’s not about me anymore, it’s not about the marathons, it’s much bigger than that. It’s about saving lives and changing the course of history of a disease called pancreatic cancer that has gone nearly unchanged for 40 years. So live Boldly, live Big and know that you’ve got to touch your own life first, before you can touch the lives of others. We Got This xo

I’m now running with Project Purple. The nations largest pancreatic cancer running charity. They are official charity partners with The Boston Marathon, New York Marathon and Chicago. I’m currently over 300K in total donations, but let’s hit that million dollar mark by my 100th marathon, The 2016 Los Angeles marathon, so we can really make a difference. Please share and donate today if you can. Thank you xo Click here to DONATE

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We Ran the Rock! Kona Marathon 2015

We Ran the Rock!!! It was 95 degrees with nearly 100% humidity, on a record setting day in Kona. But we ran the Rock or shall I say, we Survived it!!! Despite the heat, The New Kona Marathon is better than ever! Yeah!! Upon arrival into The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort, I was excited to see the Queens MarketPlace. A beautifully landscaped village with shops galore, eateries and more. Lush trees and gardens lined the streets which made me even more excited to know we would be running through there.

We arrived at The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort and I can’t say enough nice things about it. They just placed number 4 on Travel & Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best list for Family Travel. I can see why, first off, it was BIG, like amusement park big. There were dolphins, a giant lagoon that fed into the ocean, water slides, pools, boats, even a monorail, yes you read that right. Even with the magnitude of this hotel, everything was centrally located and easy to get to. Ancient artifacts decorated the hallways within the hotel, it was like walking through a museum.

The EXPO- This was one of the BEST expos I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot). The expo was located at the convention center at the The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort , it overlooked the waterfall on the lagoon, it was breathtaking.

Everything was so well organized, the vendors were great, including UCC Coffee, the best Kona coffee ever.

The Big Island Running Company was there and even gave me a purple shirt. Here I am representing in Santa Monica:

Also, The Kona Marathon running logo apparel was so hot they sold out within a few hours. However, you can still get the Kona Marathon Towel with your name on it (if you registered before June 12), click here: Kona Marathon Towel

You could feel the excitement and Aloha Spirit in the air. It was an honor to represent Project Purple, the Nations Top Pancreatic Cancer Running Charity, Essence Water ph10,Worlds Best Alkaline Water, and take Goddess Pose photo’s with so many friends in front of the Kona Marathon Start Line Back Drop.

Race Day Race morning we could feel it was going to be a hot one, that’s ok by me, it just means HYDRATE, adjust your pace and have FUN! And that’s exactly what we did. The race volunteers were there in abundance, greeting you with their warm Aloha spirit, smiles, water, GU Hydration drink and Ice. We may have poured more ice and water on our heads, than in our mouth. I ran with Mark Kramer, Brian Salm and Cheryl Baumann. They are all fellow marathon maniacs and Mark and Cheryl were both finishing their 50^th state. We all ran together for a while, making the miles fly by (even if we were baking on the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway). We knew the ocean was waiting for us we could see it in the distance. Plus running on part of the World Championship Ironman bike course really made you feel like a Bad Ass 🙂

We finished hand in hand and although it wasn’t our fastest, it was definitely very meaningful, both Mark and I have lost a parent to pancreatic cancer. We were grateful to be there together on his special day. We had so much fun, helped each other when we struggled and brought it home smiling from ear to ear.

After we finished we celebrated at the Legends of Hawaii Luau at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel, where David and I did our Honeymoon dance 🙂

I am so happy that I will be returning next year, which will make it my 5^th year at the Kona Marathon. I am beyond blessed and truly love the New Kona Marathon venue. I hope you will join us in paradise at the 2016 Kona Marathon, June 26. Aloha and until we meet again a hui hoi..

Registration code now available for the 2016 Kona Marathon, use code KMGODDESS and save $10 off early registration prices. Win Win!!! Register here

This Kona Marathon was dedicated to Beverly, who loved Hawaii and lost her life way to young from pancreatic cancer. We must find a cure!!! We Got This! Click here to make a donation to Project Purple to help: DONATE

My Thoughts on this Father’s Day!

5 years ago I lost my beloved father to pancreatic cancer. So far my efforts have raised over $300,000 in research to find a cure. On this father’s day, as I think of my Dad, the happy memories, the gratitude I have for what he gave our family and the tragic loss, I wish that he were still here. He could have been here had there been a cure. Please donate with the hopes that perhaps next father’s day many people who have had their father’s or loved ones afflicted with this disease will still be here to enjoy a life with the friends and family. Thank you for giving this some thought and the time it will take you to make a donation. We need your help now more then ever. The following sights will gratefully accept any donation you are able to give. Happy Father’s Day! In loving memory of Maurice Weiss 1935-2010. PROJECT PURPLE LAZAREX CANCER FOUNDATION PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK

My biggest fan. Miss you Papa xo

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Exciting Things Happening at the 2015 Kona Marathon!

As the Kona Marathon get’s closer, the more excited I get. I wanted to share just a few more of the amazing highlights of the Kona Marathon with you: The 2015 Kona Marathon will be located at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast. The race will start and finish at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queen’s Garden. The Marathon course has some moderate hills, never exceeding 290 feet above sea level with gentle climbs and drops. That sounds great to me! I will be running with one of my good friends, fellow Marathon Maniac, Mark Kramer who I met on my journey of 52. Sadly he lost his mother to pancreatic cancer. We are brother and sister in Arms. This year he will be finishing his 50th state with his good friend at the Kona Marathon. The 3 of us will run together, estimating about a 4:30 finish, but more importantly, crossing the finish line all holding hands, signifying that you can do anything you put your mind too, anything is possible, including finding a cure for pancreatic cancer! What do you do when you are not running? You shop and eat of course. There is a fun family life style resort destination shopping experience with something for everyone called The Queens MarketPlace within the Waikoloa Beach Resort. With an exciting collection of boutiques, galleries, shops and services, plus a delightfully diverse Ono Food Court, upscale restaurants and a full schedule of free Hawaiian cultural activities and entertainment. After the marathon at Hilton Waikoloa Village, The Host Hotel, is The Big Island Luau. How fun, right? We will go there to celebrate so many things like Mark’s 50th state, My Honeymoon and seriously, just being alive. I’ve heard it’s an exhilarating experience, under a magical Hawaiian night-sky and swaying palms, featuring exotic dance, music and entertainment for the whole family with hula & fire dancers and a lavish Hawaiian buffet. E ‘Ai Kākou! (Let’s Eat!) This year I will be representing Project Purple! Grateful my running continues to help the fight against pancreatic cancer with this amazing charity so close to my heart, who’s motto is “Running to Beat Pancreatic Cancer!” Please Click here to make a Donation Click here to register for the 2015 Kona Marathon Remember to use code KMGODDESS to save! Looking forward to seeing you in the Land of Aloha June 28th! xo Julie We Got This!!

Hilton Waikoloa Luau, Big Island, Hawaii. ET

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How do I run so many marathons and not get injured?

This is the question I get all the time? How do you stay injury free? I’ll tell you. The key to running multiple marathons back to back is all about recovery. If you are not recovered from the first, you stand a high risk of being injured on the second. Being sedentary is not as productive for cellular regeneration as something that will generate greater blood flow in the affected areas. Running in water, walking, even swimming may generate that greater blood flow. In addition to recovery, creating less cellular damage in the muscles can be important, as well. This can be done by running slower and even walking during parts of your marathons. When I am running back to back marathons, I slow down my pace by at least an hour of what I am capable of running so that I can recover quicker.

Before your first marathon, building additional strength, to support the joints, during a marathon, can be beneficial to injury prevention. Stretching can also be beneficial to reduce tightness which could create pulling and imbalance issues. There are many other components like, nutrition, getting enough protein for recovery, like my favorite Vega protein shakes, proper shoes, like my favorite ASICS, getting enough sleep and of course marathon training, but you’ll have to buy the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Marathon Training for that, written by David Levine (my husband) and Paula Petrella 🙂

That’s all for now. Hope to see you out there out there on the course. Running to beat pancreatic cancer. #wegotthis

Running Day Shoe Giveaway: On June 3^rd (National Running Day), for every 100 tweets using the hashtag #GoRunItJune3, ASICS will give away a free pair of running shoes to a random winner.

Project Purple Archives - Marathon Goddess