We had a truly ultimate day on the penultimate day of camp. We started with an ocean swim and saw the Akule Bait ball again. It was interestingly split in half this morning … David was pushing the pace on the way home, which was good for me to try to swim faster. I later learned this was entirely due to Anja riding his feet, which pushed him to keep upping the pace!!
Quick transition at home to the ride. Today was our last big ride and a bittersweet ending indeed. We (and when I say “we” I mean Etienne:) ) packed the bikes in the car and the group headed out to Mauna Loa. We started the ride at the “girl scout” camp, which is a really nice visitor’s center. The climb up Mauna Loa was gorgeous – the road looked like a ribbon undulating out in front of us, winding up the hillside. There were times when we saw the road miles and miles ahead of us. At multiple points, it was unclear really where we were going and how far we still had to the top (or where the top actually was?!). I knew my mom would have loved the gorgeous road and long stretches of rollers, which made me even more determined to put my heart in the ride today. We stuck together through the 17 MILE climb to the top and even stopped to take some pictures. It was great.
As we climbed higher I noticed I started to struggle to get air out of my lungs and I started to feel my lungs contract in a wheeze. I was determined to keep pushing with the group, I enjoyed riding with them so much I didn’t want to stop and watch them ride away. I kept pushing but at this point I started to hit the red zone in asthma world and didn’t even really have the breath to say anything. Thankfully Sarah rode up alongside and realized my dilemma, stopping the group for me to pause. Thank you!! I felt so much support from the group. I took my inhaler (and actually accepted a puff from David’s magical inhaler – I really need to change my prescription, mine doesn’t work even half as well). I started to feel my lungs clear and oxygen again was able to flow in and out of my lungs. We took off again, launching towards the top.
As we approached the last few Km, I felt my lungs start to close down on me again. But being the stubborn person I am, I refused to stop again. We were so close!! David graciously talked me through some of the short steep rollers. He was my calming voice when the one in my head started panicking and shouting at me to stop. It was extremely helpful to hear him say in a calming and quiet voice to slow my breathing, to pace out the climb, to keep it steady.
We could see the top, where my mom and Etienne were waiting – just a few short and steep hills away. It was the final push and David and I went for it full steam ahead!! It was amazing to make it to the top. I am very grateful to Tara and Etienne, who held my bike as I went into a full asthma attack when I stopped at the van. I was a wheezing, coughing mess!! I couldn’t expel the remnant air in my lungs to take in the fresh, oxygen-rich air I so needed. Eventually I got myself under control once again, but boy howdy it took some work to get my breath under control again!! I know my mom wanted to be on the road today, but she really made a great support crew member – efficiently filling bottles, doling out snacks, and capturing one of the few remaining pickles for me 
After a SPECTACTULAR decent and great spread for lunch at the little visitor’s center, we headed back down to Ali’i drive for our run at dusk. I have been working this week to increase my running endurance. Although I know for most people at this camp, a 10 km run is just another workout – for me it is quite a roadblock. I have really only been running on and off this past year as my knees and hips allowed. So pre-camp I only completed the 10 km distance once.
That said, despite some pain in my knees today, I managed to come in at about the same amount of time as my run yesterday (only a few minutes shorter likely since it included a brief break at the public restroom!!). I was happy with the run – though I am a bit worried about running on the slanting road surface, which sends shooting pains through my knees. I know I am still very slow, but my endurance for running is at least coming back.
We have a 20 km run tomorrow !! I don’t think I have completed a run this long in YEARS (emphasis on the plural here). In support of my knees, I may end up walking a good bit of this “run,” but I am bound and determined to make the entire distance.
But for now, I really need to get some epic rest.