Your Next Run Vacation. The Kona Marathon June 25, 2017!

Kona Marathon Events on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii is coming up. There are so many reasons to come and do this race, I don’t even know where to begin. But I will start with the obvious, it’s in Hawaii! The race takes place in The Waikoloa Beach Resort and has the most amazing host hotel, the Hilton Waikoloa Village. The views are breathtaking and the restaurants are delicious.

My favorite is the brunch. I think I ate there every day especially the day after the marathon when I may have eaten everything! The hotel is kid friendly, I even took my Grandbaby along for the ride.

Speaking of ride, they have a boat ride and a monorail that goes through the hotel and takes you to your room – for free!

You are surrounded by lagoons, dolphins, pools and waterslides. You really don’t even need to go anywhere. But I do recommend getting a car and doing some sight-seeing, for instance going to see the lava eruptions at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I could go on and on, but let me tell you about the Marathon. ☺

The new course just keeps getting better and better. There is more shade and they have water misters along the race course which keeps you nice and cool. Love running through them, it’s so much fun. The Aid Stations are plentiful, stocked with hydration, ice, lots of volunteer smiles and aloha spirit. Also a great place to get your 50th state, or if you are on your journey to 50 as so many Marathon Maniacs are. Pictured below is my dear Rock Star friend Mark Kramer, who finished his 50th state at the 2015 Kona Marathon. It was an honor to cross the finish line with him.

There is a race for everyone. On June 17th they have the Aloha Keiki Run for kids ages 1 to 15 at the Kona Commons Shopping Center in Kailua.

On race day June 25, they have a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and a 5K and guess what? I have a DISCOUNT code for you! When you register, and use the code KMGODDESS you will save $10 off the full marathon or half marathon and $5 off the Quarter Marathon or 5K. Every time the code is used the Kona Marathon will graciously donate an amount equal to the discount to Project Purple to help cure Pancreatic Cancer. It’s a Win Win!!!

Have I mentioned the coffee yet? As if you needed another reason to come and do this race, here it is. UCC Kona Coffee is the title sponsor of Kona Marathon Events. My absolute favorite! 100% Kona Coffee. Rich and delicious. Plus it makes you run faster. 😉

This will be my 6th year returning to the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. It was number 11 in my 2013 magical journey of 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise funds and awareness for pancreatic cancer. I always say, “Number 11, like running in heaven” and it truly is. Come visit my booth at the Health and Fitness Fair on Saturday, June 24 at the Hilton Convention Center.

I am very grateful to be a Kona Marathon Ambassador. It is an honor to represent a marathon truly embracing that Aloha Spirit. I hope you will join me June 25, 2017. Come out and let your Aloha Spirit SHINE and I will see you at the finish line. Register here: www.konamarathon.com.

We Got This!- Julie xo

A Big Mahalo to the Amazing Sponsors:

Originally posted at http://marathongoddess.com/your-next-run-vacation-the-kona-marathon-june-25-2017/

We Ran the Rock! Kona Marathon 2015

We Ran the Rock!!!

Upon arrival into The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort, I was excited to see the Queens MarketPlace. A beautifully landscaped village with shops galore, eateries and more. Lush trees and gardens lined the streets which made me even more excited to know we would be running through there.

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We arrived at The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort and I can’t say enough nice things about it. They just placed number 4 on Travel & Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best list for Family Travel. I can see why, first off, it was BIG, like amusement park big. There were dolphins, a giant lagoon that fed into the ocean, water slides, pools, boats, even a monorail, yes you read that right. Even with the magnitude of this hotel, everything was centrally located and easy to get to. Ancient artifacts decorated the hallways within the hotel, it was like walking through a museum.

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The EXPO

This was one of the BEST expos I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to a lot). The expo was located at the convention center at the The Hilton Waikoloa Village Beach Resort , it overlooked the waterfall on the lagoon, it was breathtaking.

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Everything was so well organized, the vendors were great, including UCC Coffee, the best Kona coffee ever.

UCC

The Big Island Running Company was there and even gave me a purple shirt. Here I am representing in Santa Monica:

Run ALoha

Also, The Kona Marathon running logo apparel was so hot they sold out within a few hours. However, you can still get the Kona Marathon Towel with your name on it (if you registered before June 12), click here: Kona Marathon Towel

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You could feel the excitement and Aloha Spirit in the air. It was an honor to represent Project Purple, the Nations Top Pancreatic Cancer Running Charity, Essence Water ph10, Worlds Best Alkaline Water, and take Goddess Pose photo’s with so many friends in front of the Kona Marathon Start Line Back Drop.

Bioastin:Essence

KONa

Race Day

Race morning we could feel it was going to be a hot one, that’s ok by me, it just means HYDRATE, adjust your pace and have FUN! And that’s exactly what we did.

The race volunteers were there in abundance, greeting you with their warm Aloha spirit, smiles, water, GU Hydration drink and Ice. We may have poured more ice and water on our heads, than in our mouth. I ran with Mark Kramer, Brian Salm and Cheryl Baumann. They are all fellow marathon maniacs and Mark and Cheryl were both finishing their 50^th state. We all ran together for a while, making the miles fly by (even if we were baking on the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway). We knew the ocean was waiting for us we could see it in the distance. Plus running on part of the World Championship Ironman bike course really made you feel like a Bad Ass

Baking

We finished hand in hand and although it wasn’t our fastest, it was definitely very meaningful, both Mark and I have lost a parent to pancreatic cancer. We were grateful to be there together on his special day. We had so much fun, helped each other when we struggled and brought it home smiling from ear to ear.

Finish

After we finished we celebrated at the Legends of Hawaii Luau at the Hilton Waikoloa Hotel, where David and I did our Honeymoon dance

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Dancing

I am so happy that I will be returning next year, which will make it my 5^th year at the Kona Marathon. I am beyond blessed and truly love the New Kona Marathon venue. I hope you will join us in paradise at the 2016 Kona Marathon, June 26.

Aloha and until we meet again a hui hou.

Medal

Registration code now available for the 2016 Kona Marathon, use code KMGODDESS and save $10 off early registration prices. Win Win!!! Register here

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This Kona Marathon was dedicated to Beverly, who loved Hawaii and lost her life way to young from pancreatic cancer. We must find a cure!!! We Got This! Click here to make a donation to Project Purple to help: DONATE

beverly

Exciting things happening at the 2015 Kona Marathon

As the Kona Marathon gets closer, the more excited I get. I wanted to share just a few more of the amazing highlights of the Kona Marathon with you.

Let’s hear it for the new course! The 2015 Kona Marathon will be located at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast. The race will start and finish at the Waikoloa Bowl at Queen’s Garden. The Marathon course has some moderate hills, never exceeding 290 feet above sea level with gentle climbs and drops. That sounds great to me!

I will be running with one of my good friends, fellow Marathon Maniac, Mark Kramer, who I met on my journey of 52. Sadly he lost his mother to pancreatic cancer. We are brother and sister in Arms. This year he will be finishing his 50th state with his good friend at the Kona Marathon. The 3 of us will run together, estimating about a 4:30 finish, but more importantly, crossing the finish line all holding hands, signifying that you can do anything you put your mind too, anything is possible, including finding a cure for pancreatic cancer!

What do you do when you are not running? You shop and eat of course. There is a fun family life style resort destination shopping experience with something for everyone called The Queens’ MarketPlace within the Waikoloa Beach Resort. With an exciting collection of boutiques, galleries, shops and services, plus a delightfully diverse Ono Food Court, upscale restaurants and a full schedule of free Hawaiian cultural activities and entertainment. E ‘Ai Kākou! (Let’s Eat!)

After the marathon at Hilton Waikoloa Village. The Host Hotel, is The Big Island Luau. How fun, right? We will go there to celebrate so many things like Mark’s 50th state, My Honeymoon and seriously, just being alive. I’ve heard it’s an exhilarating experience, under a magical Hawaiian night-sky and swaying palms, featuring exotic dance, music and entertainment for the whole family with hula & fire dancers and a lavish Hawaiian buffet. E ‘Ai Kākou! (Let’s Eat!)

This year I will be representing Project Purple! Grateful my running continues to help the fight against pancreatic cancer with this amazing charity so close to my heart, whose motto is “Running to Beat Pancreatic Cancer!” Please Click here to make a Donation.

Click here to register for the 2015 Kona Marathon

Remember to use code KMGODDESS to save!

Looking forward to seeing you in the Land of Aloha! xo

Julie
We Got This!!

Eleven Great Reasons To Be Excited

By Julie Weiss – Marathon Goddess

I am so excited to be heading back to the Kona Marathon for the 3rd consecutive year. Kona was number 11 in my journey of “52 marathons in 52 weeks “ to fight pancreatic cancer. Since it was number 11, I am going to give you 11 reasons to run this race. My particular favorite, Number 11 was like running in Heaven.

Okay, the real obvious reason is the race is in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. Even if you did not train well enough and didn’t quite have the race you wanted, when you finish, you are in Hawaii. Right? Enjoy it.
There is something for everyone, The Kona Marathon, Kona Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon & 5K, so bring the whole family.
Clean air. I just enjoy the air quality in Kona with views that will inspire you. Also, the friendly, fun Marathon volunteers and staff are great with the beautiful Aloha Spirit.
The Kona Marathon has been rated #1 Marathon in the State of Hawaii by TripAdvisor.
The Kona Marathon is sponsored by UCC Coffee. Best coffee on the planet and it will make you run faster, guarantee.
This year the race will take place at the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kona/ Kohala Coast.
David and I will be celebrating our honeymoon there, come join us in our bliss.
Save $10 on your registration Half or Full, using code KMGODDESS www.konamarathon.com.
The Host Hotel, The Hilton Waikoloa is offering discounted room rates for the dates of June 23 – July 3, 2015 based on availability. Book Here : Hilton Village – Runners Rates
This could be you enjoying the Waikoloa Beach Resort  after participating in the Kona Marathon Events in Hawaii.
The Marathon, Half Marathon and Quarter Marathon runners will continue onto the Queen Kaahumanu Highway and the famous Lava Fields of Kona, running a portion of the famous Ironman World Championship bike route before returning to the Waikoloa Beach Resort and the welcoming throng of spectators at the finish line.

We Got This- Aloha Style!

30 Days of Hope

With Thanksgiving in the air, on a daily basis, through my running, I have found new reasons to give thanks. Running has taught me many things about life. Someone once said when you have your health you have everything.

November is pancreatic cancer awareness month. I knew I needed to do something more to help raise awareness. For the past 30 days, I have spent each day with someone who is either a survivor or lost a loved one to pancreatic cancer, with my new campaign called 30 Days of Hope. Through this journey, being with people who have been affected by this disease has caused me to think about how precious life is. How important it is to do what you love and be with the ones you love. Be thankful that you can run even the distances you can. Most people can not go that far.

Having a goal of a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon or a Full Marathon is an amazing healthy goal. That is why I love the Kona Marathon. You are surrounded by the Aloha Spirit and let’s face it, when you finish the Kona Marathon you are in Kona, Hawaii and it doesn’t get much better then that.

Hope to see you there.

Aloha, Julie

For additional information on the Kona Marathon Events please visit konamarathon.com

The New Year is Coming!

The New Year is coming, creating a game plan of new race goals is good. It doesn’t even have to be a race but goals in general are key to really LIVING your life. What ever it is, running, biking, swimming, dancing, talking a cooking class, now is a good time to

align your goals and make them happen.

If it’s running that you love,then aligning a few races that can help you build in distance, before the Kona Marathon 2014, can be the perfect way to build speed and get results. Start with a 5K, and then possibly a 10K, maybe throw in a Half Marathon. The season is upon us, Turkey Trots, Jingle Jogs, they are all out there. Once you set a goal, the universe conspires to make it happen. “So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” This way, when you show up in Kona for race day, whatever distance you are running, walking or even just enjoying the fruits of your labor, you will be ready.

Enjoy the journey! We Got This!!

Kona Ambassador, Julie Weiss the Marathon Goddess (center #2006) with fellow runners.

Keep It Fun

Can you believe it’s been over 3 months since the last Kona Marathon? Now here we are in October and for many of you it’s off season training. We have another 3 months until we begin to train for The Kona Marathon 2014. I just spoke with the brilliant Coach David Levine (Author of Complete Idiot’s Guide to Marathon Training) He suggests that in this off season it’s critical that you rest and take it easy, not that you do zero and do nothing, but use this time to rebuild. Go do some strength training get some easy low intensity runs, fun runs, run with some friends. With Christmas and New Years coming up it may be tough to get your runs in, so keep it easy. This is off season, base training and if you get enough of this stuff now then you won’t need as much later and you can really speed up, that sounds fun to me. But if you do too much you’re going to be over training and you will crash and burn and end up slower no matter how much you do. Let’s face it too much is too much and too little is too little. There is a fine line that you need to find and what is that fine line? It is when you’re still enjoying it. When you’re having fun. Coach Levine also suggest, that this is great time to focus on form. Set up a video or a cell phone and see what you look like. Have fun with it and enjoy the journey, because that’s what it’s all about. If you follow these wise suggestions then when you feel the islands calling you, you will be ready. Looking forward to seeing you at the beautiful Kona Marathon in 2014. Until we meet again. A hui you

Warmest Alohas,

Julie

Hawaiian Dreams

What if everyone single one of us chose to follow our dreams? Then we put our passion to use for the greater good. Well, I chose to follow a dream and it started on a beach in Hawaii. It was 2007 that I felt it in my soul that a change needed to happen. Being overweight and on antidepressants, I decided to start running on the beach. I shed the

Before and After weight and the medication. Since then, I only look back to reflect on the transformation that has occurred and how far we’ve come. This past weekend, in Hawaii, I completed my 80^th marathon since 2008. I was back in the place where it all started, confronted with people from my past, embracing the gift of the present and seeing before me all of the dreams that are still possible. The magic of the islands is powerful and brought much clarity to all of the opportunities that lay before us. Your past does not define your future!

Diana What is your dream? What moves you? I didn’t find my groove until 2007 at age 37, when I realized it was running. How about Diana Nyad who just finished her record-breaking swim from Cuba to Florida? At 64 years old and many failed attempts, she proved that you are never too old to chase your dreams, never ever give up. We all have a passion for something inside of us. Whether it’s running, swimming, dancing, cooking, whatever it is you love to do, that is what makes you, you! Embrace your passion.

If your passion is running, walking or it’s Hawaii that you love then have I got a place for you. In 2012, I ran the Kona Marathon, number 11 in my journey of 52 marathons in 52 weeks to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer research, in memory of my father. The Kona marathon really embraces that Aloha Spirit. There is something for everyone, a kids run, a 5k, 10k, half marathon and a full marathon. You don’t have to run, you can walk, you can come to support, or just come to get inspired and enjoy the land. It’s not about the time on the clock, it’s about the journey and the time in your heart.

I am very grateful to be one of the Kona Marathon Ambassadors. It is an honor to represent a marathon truly embraces that Aloha Spirit. I hope you will join me in 2014, come out and let your Aloha Spirit SHINE and I will see you at the finish line. We got this.

xoxo Julie

Jumping