What two words do Big Island Running Company, Lavakids, Decimal Man, Peamans, and Club Rehab Rx all have in common?
Fun and free.
With 2016 well under way, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s offered on the Big Island to get one’s heart pumping and endorphins soaring with some good ol’ fashioned workouts the whole family can enjoy.
Beginning on Jan. 12, Big Island Running Company will once again offer a free training program for intermediate runners preparing for the upcoming Run For Hops, Big Island International Marathon, and Lavaman Waikoloa Olympic Distance Triathlon.
The eight-week program is designed to help runners improve race times from the 5K (3.1-mile) to full marathon distance.
“We wanted to do something for people who felt they weren’t getting any faster with their current training program,” said Big Island Running Company’s John Ferdico who has organized the free spring-season run groups over the last two years. “We picked this time of year as eight weeks was just the right amount of time to gear up for those races and we found there was a need for it.”
Speed training, fartlek, tempo runs, cadence and improving leg strength and cardiovascular efficiency will be the main focus of the program designed for runners at varying speed levels.
“It’s open to everyone as they will all do the same workout but the program is adaptable to any runner at any skill or fitness level,” Ferdico said. “It’s showing them a difference between the different types of runs and at a speed that they are comfortable at. Because the goals are more time oriented, I’m really excited to see people improving and achieving their goals.”
The free training group will meet at the Big Island Running Company Alii Drive store location starting next Tuesday and Thursday at 5 p.m., and Saturday mornings at 6:30 a.m. For more information contact John Ferdico at 327-9333 or john@bigislandrunningcompany.com.
On Jan. 16, Lavakids will once again host their monthly Family Fun Runs at Ane Keohokalole Highway between Palani Road and Kealakehe Parkway.
The free 5K, two-mile and 1-mile run/walk, and 100-yard Keiki Dash is scheduled for the third Saturday of every month and offers families with young children a healthy start to their weekend activities.
“It all started with Gerry (Rott) wanting to have something fun for families to do together every month,” said Lavakids program director Ellie Sumic. “It’s for those who typically don’t get out to do races, or for those who might be intimidated to start anything on their own. The goal is getting families off the couch and engaged in something fun they can do together.”
Sumic added that the number of participants has grown since their first event held in November.
“We started with one 5Ker and an handful of children in the Keiki Dash for our first event, then saw it grow to 25 people last month,” she said. “We can see that there may be a potential of 50 people at this next event and look forward to seeing it grow year round.”
With the third Saturday of every month being designated as Lavakids “Kulia I Ka Nuu” (strive to reach the highest) Family Fun Run day, families can look forward to a warm-up session with a featured community guest speaker at 7 a.m., followed by the 100-yard dash for Keiki aged 4-7 at 7:45 a.m., 1-mile run/walk at 7:55 a.m., with the 2-mile and 5K run/walks beginning at 8 a.m.
For more information visit lavakids.org.
Over on the East side, Hilo Triathlon race director Joe Wedemann will organize three short sprint triathlon events called “Decimal Man,” with the first scheduled on Jan. 17 at 8 a.m. at Richardson’s Beach Park, to introduce beginner athletes to triathlon and help them prepare for July’s Hilo Triathlon.
“The first one I put on was many moons ago and was a gag for my birthday as I was training for my first IRONMAN,” Wedemann said. “After designing a short, do-able safe course in my neighborhood, I realized it was about one-tenth of the IRONMAN distance. So, If you take the 2.4 swim, 112 bike, and 26.2 mile distances and move the decimal point one place to the left, you get my original Decimal Man course distances — .24 swim, 11.2 mile bike, 2.6 mile run. Hence, The Decimal Man.”
With the growing popularity of the Hilo Triathlon, Wedemann decided to change the venue from his house to Richardson’s Beach Park out of necessity for safety and simplicity. And while the event distance also changed to a 200 or 400-meter swim, 7.5-mile bike and 2-mile run, keeping it free along with the name, Decimal Man, endured.
“It is much easier to me not to charge for a small event,” Wedemann said. “By not charging, athletes are more relaxed and are not expecting certain things that come with a paid entry. This way, athletes can decide last minute to race, do their thing, and head out. They understand they need to ‘share the road,’ obey traffic laws, and be safe.”
For more information visit Decimal Man on Facebook or email hilotriathlon@gmail.com.
January also kicks off the 2016 season of Peaman’s popular running, cycling and biathlon events beginning with the Peaman Splish-Splash and Super Bowl Shuffle – a half-mile mile swim and 3.1-mile run scheduled for Sunday the 31st.
Sean “Peaman” Pagett, who has been putting on free monthly events for the last 28 years, says his aerobic adventures will always be free, fun and for the whole family.
“From the start, it was important for it to be very welcoming for everyone,” Peaman said. “I like the diversity of how it can be competitive, social, and family oriented all at the same time. We want everyone to feel that they are a part of one big family when they come down to a Peaman. It’s all about being inclusive and not exclusive which is why I always say, if we don’t have a division for you then we’ll make one.”
Peaman said that keeping his events free can sometimes be a challenge but feels blessed to have on-going support from the community along with Big Island Honda’s sponsorship toward his monthly Toys for Tots program.
“Having it be free just makes it doable for everyone,” Peaman said. “Oftentimes both parents are working and have young children, so having an entry fee can be pretty expensive to exercise. And I love seeing everyone having a good time — especially the kids who win toys at our raffle after the race. My goal is to keep it going for as long as it’s fun.”
Peaman events are always on Sunday mornings at 8:08 a.m., at Kaiakeakua Beach (next to the Kailua Pier) unless otherwise noted, welcomes use of masks, snorkels and fins, no entry forms or fees, no sign-up — just sign-out when finished, and with a short Pea Wee Course always available.
For more information on his calendar of events or to volunteer contact Peaman at 938-2296.
And finally, every Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m., Club Rehab Rx will offer a free workout group at the north side of Keauhou Bay featuring a two-mile run/walk followed by a 20-30 minute strength training workout utilizing one’s own body weight.
“Club Rehab’s goal is to help find ways for the community to improve health and wellness and to find a fun way to bring people together,” said Barbie Nakamura, Club Rehab’s practice manager. “Short term goals are to meet new people who enjoy fitness or have a desire to be more fit and healthy, have the love for being outdoors and bring them together once a week. While long term goals are to have Club Rehab Rx sponsored events throughout the year with other fitness groups on the island — bringing together the community to be healthy and well.”
For more information contact Katie Vitousek at 322-8400 or email kvitousek@clubrehabhawaii.com.