Returning to Maui for a favourite run

I recently travelled back to Maui, Hawaii – a special place for me and my husband as we’ve visited and lived there  for various lengths of time starting back in 1999. I’ve taken my trips to Maui during various life stages, from wandering free spirit to responsible business person, wife and mom.  But one thing has remained constant throughout the years: the 7-mile (11.5K) loop that I run when I’m there.

When I head out on that loop, it’s always like revisiting my past, with all of the memories of the runs I’ve done there over the years.  Regardless of which way you run it, it’s about a 5K ascent with a 5K descent and 1.5K of rolling hills. The scenery varies constantly throughout the run, but the fascinating part is that none of it has changed one bit in 14 years.

I start out by running a short stretch along the highway overlooking the surf before heading up a quiet road lined with trees.

This the most shaded part of the run.  Although it’s uphill, it’s a nice way to ease into it. The wind is often at my back going up here as well.

Then I pass the old abandoned high school.

This marks the end of the shade and the paved road but that’s OK as it also signifies that I’m about two-thirds of the way to the mid-point. I can keep pushing as the the  halfway point also marks the beginning of a long downhill section.

As I run out of the cover of the trees onto a dirt road through the cane fields, I have a great view of the ocean.

I can recall times when I would stop to check the swell here to give an accurate report to my husband and his friends for the surf that day.

Then I make it to the end of the dirt road and the top of my climb and turn to let my legs cruise for 5K into town.

As I relax and run downhill, I’m reminded of my earlier visits here when I was in my early 20s. I now imagine myself running beside my younger self from then and try to compete against her. I wonder if I’m also racing myself from 10 years in the future doing the same loop?

I know I’m getting close to the bottom when I reach the sign for the town limits.

Signs of human activity become more abundant as I pass chickens and cats wandering through the streets.

Then I start to smell the familiar aromas of breakfast cooking and I know I’m almost in  the heart of the town.

It only takes about a minute to run through the town, and it’s one final hilly mile home – not my favourite part, I’ll admit, but it’s only a mile.

My favourite part: the jump in the tide pool to relax and cool my legs.

It’s hard to top this run.  I run the exact same route every day and never get bored of it.  And when I return to Maui, whenever that may be, I’ll do it all again.