The first picture shows the 9 mile point. The distance from the start was displayed in the unit of kilometer and mile. This indication in miles stirred a delightful emotion that I was actually running an overseas marathon. The black tent in the next picture was a first-aid station, and the staff members looked bored. Then, a wonderful idea crossed my mind and I wondered if I should ask them for some help, like a taping, a massage, or a cold spray, but I didn't. However, I regretted a little not chatting with them about the conditions concerning medicine in Hawaii. The next picture shows the delivery from the aid. At a glance I assumed that it was "Gyousen-Ame" candy. I was hooked by the Hawaiian "Gyousen-Ame", but it was Vaseline. I didn't know how to use it, but it was lucky I found out it was vaseline before I put it into my mouth.
Let me explain "Gyousen-Ame". It is a kind of glutinous starch syrup, and can date back to 1000 years ago. The material is malt only. Water was added to the malt and the mixture is simmered without the addition of sugar. It has a nostalgic and plain sweetness.
The route was uphill to KCC (Kapi'olani Community College) and most runners were walking there. The vacant parking lot had been used for KCC Farmers' Market yesterday. Then the route was downhill for a short distance and it continued to the most agonizing section, which ran around Diamond Head in a clockwise direction. Almost all the runners were walking in the 6th picture. When I took this picture, I was on the opposite side of the road and was admiring the view of the horizon, which I was never able to see in my home town. The last picture shows the old fort of the U.S. Army. I had been there last year with my daughter. If the weather would become clear during my stay in Hawaii, I'd like to climb up again.
(Vocabulary)
glutinous starch syrup 水飴
malt 麦芽、モルト
最初の写真は左折し、登り始めたところ。ほとんど歩いている。距離表示がマイルで表示されていて、改めて海外で走っているのだなあと実感した。救護所のスタッフは主に女性。閑そうだしちょっと寄ってお世話になってみようかとも思ったが、やめた。後で考えると少しここで休憩しておしゃべりも良かったなと後悔。次は救護所で配られていたもの。ハワイで『ぎょうせん飴』！と思って飛びついたのだが、、、食べ物では無いと言う。ワセリンとのこと。どのように使うのだろう？ま、とにかく口に入れずに良かった。(^_^;)
ぎょうせん飴というのは、水あめの一種で約1千年の歴史がある。麦芽を原料に水を加えて煮詰め、砂糖を一切使わない。素朴な甘みがある。
ＫＣＣファーマーズマーケットまで登り、一旦下るもダイヤモンドヘッドを時計方向に再び登る。６枚目は最もきついと言われる坂道。ほぼ全員が歩いている。この写真を撮ったのは道の反対側からで、ここで僕は展望台からハワイ南方の海を見て感動中。マラソンと言うより観光ラン。最後の写真は陸軍の砲台跡を下から眺めて撮ったもの。
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