Here we go!
(This will probably be the best photo I take in my whole life. Be prepared, I will use it OFTEN.)
There is so much I want to tell you all about Nuun Hood to Coast, but I already know that these posts won’t do it justice – however I will do my best to try.
*And I don’t even know how to begin to say Thank you to everyone at NUUN! Seriously how do I begin to thank you? First born child?
Let’s dive…
Freshman/Sophomore Years with the NUUN Hood to Coast Team:
As I look back on this experience, I realize how much this year was similar to my Sophomore year in college and last year, running HTC was like my Freshman year. As a college sophomore you have friends established (hopefully), and you know what to expect coming in to the new year. Freshmen year (last year) was awesome, exciting and maybe a tad overwhelming – as most Freshmen years are. Last year I hadn’t met any of the bloggers who were running so I was a little shy and quiet during the whole race (Thanks Emily and Lauren (also sophomores and 2011 Vanmates) for reminding me of that on the taxi back to the airport!)
This year (my Sophomore year!) I definitely felt more comfortable coming in to the whole experience. I was already good friends with the NYC Crew (Laura, Susan & Steph) – a big part of that being that I met Susan last year at Nuun HTC and she introduced me to a lot of bloggers in NYC – Big thanks to Sus! I also knew the Sophomore Runners coming back this year, most of the NUUN employees, and I was lucky enough to meet Corey and Megan (Freshmen) in NYC over the summer and Jess (Freshmen) last year at MCM.
This Year…
This year NUUN really out did themselves. Everything was taken care of once they picked us up, and I can’t even begin to tell you how gracious and welcoming all the Nuun employees are. Nuun decided to have some events before HTC this year which I thought was a really great idea in order to meet more of the Teammates. (If you have ever run a relay before, you know that you spend 90% of your time with the people in your van, and 10% with your other team van during “hand offs” at major exchanges.) So it was great getting to know more people this year!
Quick Summary of Wednesday & Thursday…(I plan on doing a detailed post of the actual Relay, but I have never been one to recap every moment of an event, so I decided on a quick summary leaving real blogging to the other girls – Thanks in advance Ladies! Although I did attempt to do a recap post, but it was a disaster.)
Wednesday (in Seattle):
Pick-up by Casey (Nuun CFO). Group Run. Pike’s Market. Coffee. Nuun Drinks (Hydration People!). Mariners Game with Nuun Employees & Bloggers. Meet most Teammates. Drinks. Local Bars. Lots of Talking (Love!).
Thursday (in Seattle):
Oiselle Group Run & Office Tour (Could the Oiselle ladies been any nicer? The answer is No.). Coffee. Jamba Juice (Thanks Jennifer!). Nuun Headquarters (new flavor sampling!). Nuun Amazing Race (#nuunhunt). Swag (Wow! & many thank you notes to write). Team Dinner. Van Decorating (aka creating Kelly‘s “Van Vision” – she’s a true van artist). Bar. Re-packing for HTC. Bedtime.
HTC Relay Race: To be continued…however here is a sneak peek at who was in my van:
Casey (Driver/Life Coach/Nuun CFO/Dad?), Kelly, Golf Laura, Laura Greatist, Myself, Sarah, Molly
{ 20 comments }
That really IS a stellar photo! I will enjoy seeing it often
It was so fun to see you again!
I cannot wait for the race recap, but the days leading up to it look like so so much fun! I’m so glad that you had fun with your van and the whole time
You MUST apply next year! I think they need a representative from CT
The whole Seattle part of your experience — from the baseball game to the scavenger hunt to the SWAG bags — looked like so much fun! And then you got to top it all off with the Mother of all Relays.
Oh, and I love Oiselle!
Yes it was!! You must apply next year!!
The team photo collage got me all weepy and sad inside. Damnit.
Is there a support group or 12 Step Program for the NUUN HTC withdrawal symptoms? I feel like I’m going into a deep depression….
I LOVE YOU MARRY ME.
I accept. Spring wedding?
I have a position open for younger sister…please apply.
I am such a fan of yours. you have the best personality and attitude…you are like sunshine to me…seriously…how can someone not smile when they see you.. I double dare them…..
Forget about those clueless NYC guys…come find a husband here in SoCal!!!
Omg you are too sweet!! And I will most definitely apply for that younger sister position. Please send me an application! We already have the Canadian bloodline….
Also – yes please keep on the look out for possible future husbands for me! Not joking.
That is an awesome photo!
how come my jump couldn’t end like yours????
:) that pic really is awesome. and how did you manage to squeeze all that into one post. and oh wise one, teach me the photo collaging ways. please, and thank you. and again, had a blast hanging out with you. look forward to hearing about your decisions, and hope we can hang out again soon.
Hello stalker! How are you? I miss you! When can I see you again?? (anything you say is not soon enough)
Okay, sorry, now that I got that out of the way I wanted to tell you that coming out on Tuesday night to spend time with the NYC Crew was the best decision I made. I loved the time I got to spend before the relay with you all and really do feel like I got to know you better this year than last year. Thanks for being more chatty with me sophomore! And for letting me crash in your room….and basically stalk you all weekend. I am lost without you.
PS I still owe you $20! FAIL
That is an amazing photo of you! I’m so glad you were on my Nuunhunt team so I got to know you better!
Jocelyn, Caroline is right you ARE sunshine! Being around you just makes me smile and I feel so lucky to have spent time with you. I miss you and can’t wait to hang out again some time soon. And I totally love that pic of you and will never ever get tired of seeing your smiling face!! xoxo
So happy you “arrived” this year. Casey is a amazing guy
..glad you were able to have him.
looks like an absolute blast! you’re such an inspiration. looking forward to future posts!
morgan
quitetheblog.com
Fine, your picture is way better than mine. Oops.
That is SUCH a cute collage of your vanmates
I love it! I also like how you compared it to a “freshman” and “sophomore” year…because I really is sort of like that! I loved, loved, loved hanging out with you in Seattle and during the race. I cannot wait for more fun in November!!!