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[Editor: Itsuko Oda, the first Japanese woman to race Molokai sent us this personal race report following her marathon seven hour effort. Congratulations Itsuko!]
First of all, I would like to thank all the people who helped me make my long held dream of Molokai solo crossing come true. I feel I would never have succeeded without their help and support.
 Post race relief! (Pic: Itsuko Oda)
As it was my first challenge, I had lots and lots of worries beforehand such as hiring a ski, how to find an escort boat, what to do in Molokai Island, and most of all, challenging the sea I had never experienced. Again, if it had not been for the people that were willing to do things for me, I could never have done it.
On the day of the race, I was all filled with mixed feelings: nervousness, worry and excitement at the same time. I was asking myself:
"How did I dare think I could challenge Molokai crossing?"
"Will I be able to paddle through?"
Yet, I knew well I could never give up at this stage. I came all the way from Japan only to paddle. It's impossible to quit here, nor would I want to. Then, I made up my mind. I would reach the goal, no matter what.
And I left to get ready.
 Itsuko approaches the finish line after seven hours of paddling (Pic: Itsuko Oda)
While I was waiting to line up, I was overwhelmed at the sight of so many crafts and escort boats in front of me, but at the same time, was starting to be thrilled and enjoy it. It's difficult to explain exactly how I felt then.
There was a breakaway at the start, and this eased my tension a bit
Well, how fast were the world class paddlers!
After the signal for the start, I only paddled a bit to find them all gone, leaving me way behind.
However, I wasn't aiming at time. My ultimate goal was to finish the race, nothing more, so I told myself to keep the pace, and gradually started paddling into the Molokai water.
Transparent blue ocean, warm wind and gentle light blue sky.
I was paddling with wind and swell pushing me from behind.
My whole body and soul perceived something which I had never done before in Japan, I knew it was the Molokai water that was giving me this experience. It was absolutely fantastic.
In the latter half of the course toward the end, I was running out of stamina. I became unable to keep catching waves and swells, and often found myself stopping paddling from exhaustion, though I never thought of retiring.
I was thinking of my friends who had been supporting me, who must be cheering me in Japan at that very moment and some of who should be waiting for me at the goal. The last thing I wanted to do was to disappoint them. This thought about my supporters made my tired body start paddling again.
When it became harder and tougher to continue paddling, the faces of my friends, family and of those who helped me flashed across my mind.
It was strange. I had never thought like this, or experienced something like this before.
 Itsuko with her escort boat crew (Pic: Itsuko Oda)
32 miles in 7 hours 2 minutes and 28 seconds.
The longest distance and time I had ever paddled in my life.
During the long hours of paddling, I was thinking so deeply about many things and was experiencing what I had never done before.
I was deeply moved by this experience, and am determined to pass some of what I learned to my friends and those who are thinking of joining Molokai in the future.
I know it is not so easy to participate in Molokai race, but I would like to share this great experience with more and more paddlers.
Race results are of course important, but I certainly would like more people to feel and appreciate the wind and sea of Molokai, the ultimate enjoyment of crossing the channel.
I cannot say that I am joining the race again next year, but I am hoping to return to Molokai again someday after more training to fully enjoy the race.
And, I know I will.
(Click here for the story in Japanese.)
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