I can’t believe it. After months of talking and training, Hood to Coast has come and gone. I can’t even begin to explain what a life changing event it was for me for SO many reasons but I’ll do my best to take you step by step over the coming week(s) with recaps of pre-race activities and then some leg by leg information.
A quick preview…some of the legs were very technical and complicated and one of the legs was very emotional. I wasn’t expecting it so much but it was.
Let’s start with Pre-Race festivities. Most of the girls traveled into Seattle on Wednesday and went to a baseball game. I, unfortunately, had to leave on Thursday morning but that’s ok. I got to spend one more night with my boys. You can read all about the adventure of just getting there in this post: Hood to Coast Update 1 .
Once I got there, I was a little nervous about coming into a group of girls that’s already been bonding. You know how that is. Anyway, I was nervous over nothing! When I got to Nuun HQ, I was greeted with open arms and pulled right into the fold. It just started the weekend off right.
Then the fun began. First we got our swag bags. How freakin cool! I have never been spoiled like that before. Nuun and our other product sponsors did it up right! (I’ll feature a different sponsor or two with every post). These products were amazing! I can tell you that just about every one of them came in handy at some point during the race.
Then it was off on a Seattle Scavenger Hunt, Nuun Style. Just like most, we had a list of things we needed to do or take pictures of. If you want to see all the fun, on Twitter, search #NuunHunt and you’ll be able to scroll through everyone photos. In addition to all the things on the “to do” list, we were given Nuun Tattoos and we got extra credit for every person we could get tattoos on.
I had an awesome team and we seemed to find ourselves more interested in tattooing but we did our challenges and had a blast doing it and getting to know each other.
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| Well Hello Darlin! |
We had dinner that night at Nuun and just talked and got to know each other. I was happy to get to know all these girls. It’s crazy. We talk to each other all day on Twitter but getting to know someone in person just makes you that much closer. Now when I read their blog posts, I’ll read them as if we’re talking.
Then we did some van decorating. I’m so where near as creative as some of the girls but I did what I could, I held the markers and took pictures.
By the time we were done, I was exhausted but so excited but had to get to bed! Knowing what was coming up, sleep was a necessity.
If you want a preview of what’s to come in the leg recaps, check out my YouTube Channel. You might find some clips worth watching there.
So what do you think? Looks like fun right? More to Come Stay Tuned!
It looks like you all had a complete blast! Can’t wait to read more about the rest of the journey 🙂
Thanks! It was so much fun. I hope my posts will do it justice.
It definitely looks like a great time with great people! Thanks for sharing! Spalove!
No problem! More to come!
Awesome job linking the sponsors Katie. Loved reading this…especially now that I know you. 😉 Really an honor to have been your vanmate for the relay. You kicked butt girl..such a strong, focused, and positive person. The best kind of person to have on a team. Thank you. Glad you use facebook because I’m pretty certain I won’t be on twitter very often. Or maybe just to check in on a few of you. Have a great week being back with your family.
Thanks Amanda! I loved getting to know you. Your heart is so big and you were such a good conversationalist.
I loved hanging out with you and watching kill each of those legs!
This sounds like such a blast! I loved following all the twitter and instagram updates… can’t wait to hear more! 🙂
Lots more to come. I can’t wait to share it all!
Sounds like so much fun! I would have been afraid of the pre-bonding too, so glad it worked out for you. Putting tattoos on random people sounds like fun!
The tattooing was my favorite part. It made you talk to people you would have NEVER talked to. 😉
Haha, love that pic of Marjorie 🙂 She cracks me up. Can’t wait to hear about the rest!
Yeah. Marjorie was always willing to help bring a laugh to the van. She’s awesome and such an inspiration!
SO much fun!! Sad I missed the fun this year, but glad others got to experience it. Nuun is a gracious host!!
Great meeting you in person!!!
love all the pics! I would love to have the group one and the one of me with Robyn please…if you have a minute could you email them or tell me where I get them…the link for #nuunhunt did not work…
thanks!!!!
carotabi@hotmail.com
I’ll send the pics tonight. They are on my other computer. It was so much fun meeting you!
Ok, waterworks here. I am teary just reminiscing … It was such a magical experience from the get-go and I am truly grateful to have shared it with YOU. I cannot wait to see you again someday! Love love love.
You made me cry when you finished your last leg. Your love of the sport and all things running is so inspiring and your personality is infectious! I seriously love you! 🙂
Wow, looks like so much fun! Can’t wait to read more!
Wow, looks awesome! What a great experience and memories!
So great to meet you! Excited to see how you felt about the legs we ran. [o: Hope to meet you again someday.
We’ll meet up somewhere sometime. I promise! I will tell you all about my feelings about our legs. they were crazy but a huge accomplishment!
A memorable time from start to finish! Lots of unexpected “twists” in the middle and end! Enjoyed sharing the van with you and being your ring bearer. 🙂
You were a magnificent ring bearer! I loved being your roommate. Your awesome!
O lordy…I look totally like a mail-order bride catalog shot! Hahahahahahahahahaha! I am so glad someone got that picture 🙂 It was such a pleasure to be vanmates. Your unwavering positivity was so lovely and inspiring. You just went out there and kicked ass with a gorgeous smile on your face each and every time. Can’t wait for out paths to cross again!