Hood To Coast Update 2: Prerace Festivities

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.

Swag Courtesy of: Nuun | GNC | EndorphinWarrior | GoSport ID | Run Team Sparkle | Swiftwick | Thorlos| Kind Snacks | ToughChik | Oiselle | Tiger Tail | Sparkle Soul Headband | BenGay | ShowerPill | PickyBars | Knuckle Lights | Maui Jims | Chobani |

I had to through this one in!  Here's the amazing Marjorie to show us another way to sparkle! Sorry Marjorie! :)

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.

Photo Source: Tricia (Thanks!)

Team: Sarah | Me | Tricia | Robyn | Caroline | Amanda

Here's a shot from one of the other groups! Oh yeah, someone tattoo'ed that.  Needless to say, we had a ton of fun!

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!