"auntie nani's race" - headlands 100 mile endurance run

my friend nadia recently completed yet another 100 mile race - the headlands 100 mile endurance run - through the beautiful marin headlands . a couple of years ago, i was a pacer nadia at this event. a pacer is someone who goes with the runner to assist them with meeting her goal. in most 100 mile races, the runner must do the first 50 miles alone and then you can have pacers in the final 50. i took the brutal overnight leg with her 2 years ago. i was out of commission this year, obviously, but i boy did i want to be out there... the overnight leg is brutal, not only because it's well, night time (i think i started with her after midnight), but also because, nadia's been running all day. and at this point, she's basically sleepwalking. for nadia, the overnight pacer keeps her awake and moving, more than anything. for a point of reference, she did the first 50 miles in about 11 hours 44 minutes and then at night, paul, her husband took over the bulk of the overnight piece. it took them 7.5 hours to do 12 miles. jenny (party of 5!) ran the last 30 miles with her. nadia usually perks up later on in the morning, with the help of jenny's special brand of "encouragement" although this time around, that didn't happen for her until mile 92. jenny practically dragged her along for about 22 miles and then she ran the last 8 as if it were her first... jenny sent her on ahead because none of us can keep pace with nadia if she's actually awake while running...

anyway, hana was excited to see "auntie nani's race". her first race was back in march when nana and auntie dee dee did a half marathon in atlanta. she caught the fever and she wants to "get bigger and bigger and i gonna run a race". so watch out!

so here are some shots of nadia approaching the finish line.

and then just after finishing... she doesn't even look that tired. what's up with that!

jen came in not much further behind nadia.  
baby brother gives auntie nani a high-five.

hana and cole are amused by grandma glenda while we tend to the runners.

practicing her "balance".  hana still takes her "tuff tumblers" class at daycare and it has really helped with her coordination.  

hana is "helping" auntie nani by bringing her chips... in addition to helping herself.

another belly  shot for those who have complained about the lack of belly shots this pregnancy.

this picture of hana is one of the coolest of the day.  i'm not sure why she looks so much older here, but it is a little freaky...  it's like glimpsing into the future.