Hanalei Race 2016

Haena to Hanalei Race is our favorite race of the year.  This year, Brady took one for the team and decided to run with the kids while I trained and participated in the 8-miler.  In preparation for the race, the kids went out and jogged around our neighborhood probably a dozen times.  They both wanted medals so badly!  Kate even asked me if I could please give her my medal if I got one, but with the times I was training at, it seemed highly unlikely and I worried that she was in for a let down.  Zachary was hoping to place in his age group and she was hoping to run without stopping.  

The night before the race, we headed to Hanalei Colony Resort with Nic and Heidi.  We were bummed to learn they were closing the road for the first time in 35 years, and we would have to get out of the resort by 5am to avoid getting stuck.  Ugh.  So much for paying to avoid getting up crazy early.  That night, we mumbled that all the trouble of the Hanalei race was definitely not worth it.  We were happy to get proven wrong the next day.

It dumped rain all night long.  The kids slept great but we were up most of the night with the rain and unfamiliar surroundings.  The alarm finally went off and we got the kids up.  They were so excited, even with the downpour we drove in to get to the starting line.  Our races started at the same time so I headed off in the shuttle to the start while they waited in the car.

 These pictures of the kids at the start, nervous and excited, are the cutest thing ever.  Brady ran with Owen in the stroller and stayed with Kate, so he only got a glimpse as Zachary took off.  Zachary was second place at the halfway point.

 Kate kept surging ahead each time someone would cheer her on.  A couple 8-9 year old boys were in front of her and kept looking back, saying, "We can't let that little girl pass us!"  They'd run ahead and then get tired and walk.  Eventually, Kate passed them.

 This is the turnaround.  Zachary passed up the boy in front, and led for the second half of the mile.  Lucas (right behind him) beat Zac at the finish.  Luke was in the age division ahead of Zachary, which meant Zac won first place for his age group, and second overall (of 42 participants) with a time of 6:28!!

 We were so proud of Kate for running the whole time, coming in at 8:20 and placing first for her age division as well.  The kids were stoked and couldn't stop talking about this event for the entire weekend.  They both won medals and Zac took it in his pocket to church the next day.  When they asked for announcements in primary, he made sure to show it off.

The kids stayed dry somehow, which was amazing to me considering that when the 8-miler started, it was some of the hardest rain I've ever run in.  My shoes were drenched within half a mile.  With the rain and puddles and scenery, it was my favorite race of all time.  I was thrilled to run 7:25 splits after my fastest training runs at 8:20s, and placed 2nd in my division and 6th overall for girls.

 The kids were so tired...obviously.

 Our beach plans were ruined with all the rain, but the kids wanted to play at the hotel pool before we left.  We ended up staying for hours and then going out to eat with the Clarks.  Such a fun day.

 We were most proud of how happy the kids were with their hard work "training."  They talked on and on about how glad they were they did their jogs around the neighborhood.  It's rewarding to see them recognize that preparation makes a huge difference.

Until next year!  However, we will be getting up out of our own beds at 4:30am next year to drive to the start!