Man, I'm sore!  This past Saturday I ran in the Maui Tacos 5k Run in Ka'anapali, and it kicked my butt! 

It was my first time running it and my first 5k run.  I usually sign up for 10k runs because I'm too wimpy to train for a half-marathon or a full marathon, and since there was no 10k run option for the Maui Marathon weekend, I reluctantly signed up for the 5k.

I say reluctantly because I run about that distance 2 or 3 days a week (well, not ALL of it - I do like to walk now and then) and it wouldn't be a challenge for me and, therefore, definitely not worth the registration cost.  But, organized runs are fun, and how can you turn down a race day t-shirt?

So, I signed up and appeared at the start line on Saturday, ready and eager to go.  I told myself that if I felt good, I would run it twice to get my 10k in - no problem. 

The run started at 8am from the Whalers Village and the course involved a few switch-backs along the resort area, which I had anticipated beforehand after viewing the course map. 

What I didn't anticipate though, was a GIGANTIC hill at the half-way point!  As I mentioned before, I am a wimpy runner.  I don't like long distances or the slightest inclines, but this was a HUGE hill!  When I first saw it ahead of me, I thought "you've got to be kidding me!"

But, I was determined to run the whole thing - no stopping.  I just kept focused as I climbed it.  And I did it!  I ran up that hill and I eagerly ran back down it.  I was very proud of myself! 

Now, I won't say if I ran non-stop the rest of the way.  The 5k was a lot longer than I had anticipated and the hill certainly was exhausting, but I did finish and did NOT even think about running it twice :).

I was done.  That hill did me in.

But, I had fun - AND I got a Maui Tacos 5k Run t- shirt! 

Now all I need is a good massage...