We had a full schedule when we were in Kauai (Aug 30 - Sept 3).  On Friday we spent the day with Gerry Lindgren.  We went out for a run.  Shot a lot of video footage and still images.  Then we sat down and talked for a couple of hours.  Gerry was and still is an inspiration for me.  That was Friday and just the beginning of all the things we would do for our film in Kauai.  Thanks so much to Jeff who invited us to his event...the fourth annual Kauai Marathon and Half was such a fun event.  He gave me number 50.

After speaking with JT Service at the fun run Saturday morning, we sat down and talked running.  (Photo with director Michael Anderson).  JT has run some outstanding times so far including a 1:07:40 half marathon.  He has a bit of an injury now but is planning on being ready to run our Double Road Race Dec 23 in Pleasanton.  What really sets JT apart is that he has gotten into race production.  His first year 408K race in San Jose earlier in the year sold out with 3000 runners.  The course is great and he plans to really grow it.  He had lots of good things to say.

We next sat down with Bart Yasso.  He is the current Chief Runner for Runner's World Magazine.  Bart has run many races over the years and back in 1998 he ran a 2:42 marathon.  These days he is running 1:56 half marathons but he has some leg issues.  We talked about a whole lot of things.  Bart was very candid about the roll Runner's World  is playing these days in helping to turn more people on to running.   Bart started working for Runner's World in 1988, three years after I had sold to Rodale Press.  We had only met once and it was brief before the San Francisco half marathon a couple of years ago.  He told us many things... all good stuff for our movie.  Thanks Bart for being so open and honest...

What was really cool, after I was giving the winning plate for being first in the 60-64 age group for the half marathon, Bart was right there to congratulate me.  Thanks Bart, that meant a lot.

Next up was 65-year-old Ron Pate from Honolulu.  He has been running as many years as me and he is still running well.  When he was younger he was running some really outstanding times.  Much better than me.  The next day he ran 1:34:41 for the Kauai half.   Now he did have the advantage because he set up the course and had run it all four years.  Ron has so much to say, knows many runners and is going to be a good addition to our film.   He and his wife are thinking about coming over for the Double December 23.

We had to talk with Dean Karnazes.  In 2006 he ran 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.  His last marathon, New York was his fastest when he ran 3:00:30.  He has a great story and it is interesting to hear what he thinks about my challenge.  Besides his 50/50/50 he has done other things like run 350 miles without stopping.  He did his 350 miles in 80 hours and 44 minutes.  I am spending one year to race 350 miles but I hope to finish in under 41 hours.  Most recently Dean ran across the US in 75 days.  That was in 2011.

Not all my running friends are world class athletes.  Shari and Chad are from Canada.  We met  when they ran the Ujena 5k in 2010.  The next year Shari ran the Double Road Race (aka Bob Anderson 15k Challenge) held in San Jose del Cabo.  They then joined the Ujena Fit Club and I got to know them.  They are fairly new to running but they love it.  They ran the half marathon the next day and finished just over two hours.  It was refreshing to hear how they are approaching running.  They will both be running the Double in San Jose del Cabo Oct 27 and are planning on doing our Double in Pleasanton.

It was a good trip.  The next day I ran the half marathon.  Now, wasn't that why we really came to Kauai?  I ran 1:37:30.  Then we took it easy and even had time to go to a hula that night.  On Monday morning before our flight, we drove up the coast and then drove up into the mountains.  It was beautiful there and we just had to capture some footage before heading back to the airport. 

I am back on pace.  I am right at 7min/mile pace after 244 miles of racing.  I have completed 35 races and I have 15 to go or 106 miles.  Today I ran the End of Summer 5k in San Jose and finished in 20:58 or 6:46/mile pace.  I have not raced this distance since July 4th and it felt a lot different.  Unlike a half marathon there is not time to makes changes in race strategy.  I was hoping to get under 21 minutes and I did it.

For some reason I lost focus during mile two and ran 7:01.  I picked it back up but the damage was done.  I was hoping secretly that I could run 20:30 but I just did not have it today.  I knew after 20 yards that it was just going to be a sub 21 minute day at best.

My son-in-law Justin ran today too.  He finished 4th overall in 19:15 and first 40 plus.  With some more training I think he will be running under 18 minutes soon.

I have known Michael King for over 20 years.  We have raced against each other in tons of races over the year.  I tried to stay with him today but I just didn't have it.  He beat me by about 30 seconds.  Michael is a member of the Ujena Fit Club.

The race directors are Emory (pictured) and Juana.  This is only their third year and they put on a good event.  I will be back and next time will probably run either the 10k or the half marathon.  I love the big races I have been running but I enjoy our local races too.

Our crew at the race Justin, Mike, me and Waitman.  Catherine taking the photos.  I am not running next weekend.  We are going to Disneyland with Justin and Lisa and the Grandkids.  The next weekend is a 5-miler in San Francisco, then we are off to Eugene Oregon for a 10 miler and then the next Sunday is the San Jose Half Marathon...