#NUUNHTC: When Life Gives You Lemons...Run Faster!

When life gives you NUUN Lemonade, run faster; and that is just what I did.  There is something magical about running relays, especially Hood-To-Coast.  I absolutely love how relays make running {which is usually an individual sport} a team sport, while still including the individual focus and challenge which so many of us love about running! When you are in the van, it is all about being a team...the camaraderie, doing what is in the best interested of the team, cheering each other on, forming lasting friendships, and supporting one another to the finish.  When it is your turn to run, and only then, are you able to focus on yourself, and run YOUR race for those 3-8 miles.  For me personally, I run harder for my team, pushing myself just a tad bit further, knowing that all of the other 11 runners are giving their all for the sake of the team too! 

Leg 1: 10:something PM, 3.10 miles/8:21 avg

Yes, I wear my sunglasses at night! 

With a start time of 1pm, and being the LAST runner, I didn't run my first leg until after 10pm! The nighttime leg{s} is {usually} my favorite run of a relay...nothing compares to a star-moon-headlight-red flashing light lit run, rocking out to music on my RoadNoise vest.  Except when you are running into a dark hole, questioning whether or not you are going to see light again.  Ok, maybe a slight exaggerations, but I'll admit, I was a little nervous...

As I received the baton, I took off on a shrubbery lined bike bath through Portland, ending at Oaks Park.  The run was dark, no one in site, with a few potential turns {luckily I continued straight on the path}. After about 2 miles, the bike portion of the run ended, and I ran through a neighborhood the last mile or so.  As I approached the end of my run I saw cars backed up for what seemed like miles, and at that point I wasn't sure if my van would be at the finish by the time I got there {very tight exchanges for this first round of legs}, but as I kicked it in for the last 1/4 mile or so I saw sparkle skirts in the distance...my vanmates were making their way to the finish and van "driver of the year," Jeff, ran the rest of the way with me {much appreciated}.  After a few last minute road kills I handed off to Lauren and Van 1 was off again! 

Leg 2: 5 miles, 8:31/avg

After attempting to catch some zzzzzz's curled up in a ball {well more like a human pretzel-gone-bad position} on the end of the van bench....sidenote: it is quite a site to see 7 people attempting to sleep in a van; which we called a "cuddle puddle".... it was our turn to run again! When we met up with Van 1 at the exchange, there was a lot of talk about "Code Browns" {I'll let you figure that one out!}

While my leg was still during "night time hours," the sun had come up, which is a total game changer! {note to self: blog sooner, so you have a better recollection} What I do remember is that I felt strong the entire run and loved having my team cheer for me half way through {due to the fact that our first set of runs were on a trail, we weren't able to cheer people on while running}.  This was the second relay I ran with Lauren, and both times I handed off to her...making it extra special every time I came into the exchange.  

What I like to call my Rainbow Brite look...brought to you by Oiselle,  Sparkle Athletic,  and my favorite Lunatik compression socks. 

Leg 3: 5.1 miles 8:35 avg

H-squared getting ready for our final legs!

My final run started off with about a 1/2 mile run on a gravel path, followed by about another 1/4 mile climb and then a night descent.  I loved peaking the hill and cruising down, but the highlight of the run was running into {no pun intended} Kathy, of  Heart-N-Sole from the Hood-To-Coast documentary.  As I entered Seaside, I started getting emotional, as I was about to finish another relay, the mother of all relays, with NUUN.  An amazing opportunity and an even more amazing experience.  Running along the beach, having all of the other teams and spectators cheer for me, as I was all smiles, was pretty amazing! I would love to say that crossing the finish line and running in with my team was an epic moment, but unfortunately, that is not the case.  While I don't want to sound like I am complaining or focusing on the negative, the finish was definitely disappointing. As I crossed the finish I was brought to an immediate halt {talk about anticlimactic} as I waited for my team to make their way through the sea of teams to me.  Once they did, we waited in a line, and were {what felt like} herded like cattle through the finish.  It was pretty amazing, and an honor, to be able to present each of my teammates with their medals, because we couldn't of done it without the hard work of each and every one of them.  

Another relay complete, new friendships formed, unforgettable memories created, and a heart overflowing with joy and gratification! 

THANK YOU will never be sufficient for all NUUN has done for me! I will forever be grateful! 

Did someone say ULTRA!?

FREAKING OUT verb {adverb}: to be or cause to be in a heightened emotional state, such as that of fear, anger, or excitement

Yep, that pretty much sums up how I am feeling right now! 

Just less than a year ago I ran Ragnar Northwest Passage, and no sooner than I finished I had ULTRA on my mind! Little did I know that that thought would become a reality! Tomorrow I will be heading to Utah to join 5 other ladies, as we take on Ragnar Wasatch Back as an ULTRA team {we will take on the 200 miles with 6 runners, instead of the usual 12}.  

To  say that I am FREAKING OUT would be an understatement; I am overflowing with FEAR and EXCITEMENT! I am so excited for the opportunity to meet 4 other phenomenal women {I already know one!}, and  the memories and friendships that will be formed! I can't wait for  the feeling of accomplishment when we cross the finish line as a team on Friday! I can't wait for the laughter, overcoming our fears, the beautiful sights of Utah, and really supporting and encouraging one another through this EPIC adventure! 

Without further adieu, its time to pull up my big girls panties and BRING IT:

There are several different ways to run an ULTRA relay: you can run 2 legs back to back, for a total of 3 longer legs each; you can run 6 legs; or I have heard of teams totally mixing things up and runners pick & choose which legs they want to run.  After going back and forth several times, due to altitude, some major climbs, and the  way the distances worked out {if we ran 2 back to back, someone would've had to run a 17 mile leg} we decided to run 6 legs each! I am running 2, which means I run legs 2, 8, 14, 20, 26 and 32.

LEG 1 {2} 7.7 miles VERY HARD

LEG 2 {8} 2.6 miles EASY

LEG 3 {14} 3.0 miles EASY

LEG 4 {20} 5.9 MODERATE

LEG 5 {26} 3.3 miles EASY

LEG 6 {32} 5.5 miles MODERATE

TOTAL: 28 miles

This is going to be EPIC, and you can't do EPIC alone! Joining me on the adventure are: Meghan, Lisa, Lisa, Bry, and Vieve! Make sure to follow us on twitter: #HighNUUN

Thanks Lisa of Simply Hat Love for keeping us in style over the miles

A huge thanks and shout to NUUN for inviting me to be apart of their team.

I will never forget the words my mom wrote in a card that she gave me before heading back to OR after dropping me off at college in CO: "Turn your fear and anxiety into excitement!"  That is just what I am going to do tomorrow...

Relay Running, it's Easy {and Fun} as 1,2,3

Today I am doing my first guest blog post over at Rebecca Roams: Relay Running, it's Easy {and Fun} as 1, 2, 3 

Ragnar Napa

At 4:45am on Friday, Van 2 of team SORE LEGS {Southern Oregon Running Enthusiasts, Luckily Enhances by Greater Seattle} met at the Wal-Mart parking lot to decorate our van and head south.  The excitement and energy was already high...I knew the next 2 days were going to be EPIC!



It didn't take Rosie long to pull out her snack of choice: giant carrots, and enjoyed eating them while boinging and group'ing {oh the things that are funny during a relay}

We used the GroupMe app to be able to group text so we would know where each van was at, but also have fun along the way.  And Rosie's text tone is a boinging sound...so you can imagine where we went with Group-in and boinging. The things that are coming when in a van for 40+ hours with people

After heading to the wrong transition, we headed back to transition 6, went through the safety briefing, etc and got ready to run our first set of legs! It was already getting hot, so we found some shade and waited for Emily to come in.   

Amanda totally rocked her first run and then handed off to Ann, who was running a short, but gnarly leg...with a ginormous climb! Ann loves hills and powered up it with a smile on her face, but was very happy to run up her last little hill and hand off to me.  My first let was 4.4 VERY HARD miles, with the first mile being straight up.  When I took off, I looked ahead and could see cars at the top...and they were WAY up there! I put my "head down, elbows back" {Ann's hill motto}, shortened my stride and powered to the top. Upon reaching the crest, I enjoyed a beautiful 3 miles through the country before handing off to Nate.

Nate and Paul {The Giver} both had LONG, tough runs, with minimal shade...so we pulled out the squirt guns; the runners were so thankful to be cooled off! Colin, our fearless leader {aka DD}, took every opportunity he could to relax and enjoy. Rosie finished our first legs off with a short run through town {lots of stops at traffic signals, giving us time to make it to the transition in time} and then we handed off to van 1 and headed to La Gunitas for some grub, interesting music and a break.  We were entertained with songs about ethanol, midgets and weed! {the rest of the trip we were singing about the "M" word and "ethanol, ethanol..."}

After about 2 hours of sleep in the van {the major exchange where we would be receiving the "baton" didn't have indoor sleeping, showers, and only had 3 indoor bathrooms...disappointing}we were ready to rock n roll through the fog lit streets of Santa Rosa. Amanda was thankful to find a running partner to run with as she was running past all of the bars just as they were closing...interesting characters out to say the least.  We were able to stop and check on her a few times, and make sure her ankle was ok {she had rolled it at the beginning of her run}. Next up was Ann, who rocked a Team Sparkle skirt for her nighttime run {I couldn't pass up a photo opportunity with another team of Team Sparkle runners}. And then it was ME...and I was a lil excited to be running at 1:30am. I had my tunes rocking through my Road Noise Vest and I was ready to go.  Luckily, I always had people around me so I felt safe and enjoyed running through the fog lit streets among a sea of blinking red lights.  Before I knew it I was handing off to Nate.  Nate had an 8 mile, no van support leg, so we went straight to the next exchange and got a little more shut eye.  I'm not sure what happened to me, but after Nate finished I curled up in the back of the van and didn't get out again...hence the lack of nighttime photos.  I slept through 2 exchanges {sorry team} and a container of pretzels &  a bag of food falling on my face!

Believe it or not, at this point in the relay, I had had NO caffeine {NONE from the time we left Medford}, so after resting a little bit we headed to Starbucks...coffee, a flushing toilet and running water to brush my teeth were HEAVENLY!! Most people in van 2 had short third legs, but not me...I had 8.1, VERY HARD, NO VAN SUPPORT miles to run.  The phenomenal views of the wineries made every step of those hot, 8  miles worth it. It was seriously the most beautiful run EVER!

Clockwise starting top left: Amanda proud to be done, Rosie staying cool while waiting for Paul to come in, Rosie heading out on her 5 mile run to the finish, and Nate handing off to Paul

Clockwise starting top left: Ann heading off to enjoy an easy 2 miles, Amanda taking off for our last legs, "party foul" at the exchange, spirit tunnel for Amanda

Showing off our NUUN tattoos

WE DID IT!!!

{One of many} Finish line photo!

One of my tweeps and fellow blogger, Paulette, was running the relay as well, but in van 1.  Throughout the relay we would tweet back and forth, hoping to meet up at one of the major exchanges {I think I was sleeping the one time we were actually at the same place at the same time}.  She had tweeted me as we were waiting for Rosie to come in but I was running low on battery and had limitied reception...as my team came running through the finish line I saw Paulette standing there waiting and after taking a million team pictures, I ran up and gave her a big hug! It was SO nice to finally meet someone I felt like I already knew so well IRL!

Well I think it's safe to say I have a new running addiction: relays! Its amazing how well you get to know people and the relationships that are formed in such a short amount of time. I love the team aspect..the support, encouragement, and non-stop fun are truly one of a kind, and something that is hard to put into words. I already have my eye on Ragnar Wasatch Back {currently on the wait list}, Colorado and Tennessee for 2013...who wants to join me???

Relay Essentials

Ragnar Northwest Passage was my first relay; luckily we had some veterans on our team who assisted with all of our packing needs, but I want to share with you what I think are relay must-haves!!!

First, and perhaps most important is NUUN! The key to surviving 15-20 miles in a 30hr time frame is proper hydration {especially when running in the heat of the day}!! Keep the NUUN flowing and make sure to bring several different flavors...it's fun to have options and switch it up from time to time! 

Relays are all about being a team, and a team is not complete without custom bondibands! The neon NUUNKOTB bondibands were not only great for wicking the sweat during our runs, but helped make sweaty, rained on, un-washed hair look good! 

During a relay you live in workout clothes, so its important to be comfortable {while running and in-between runs} Once I tried on my  JUNO sports bra from Moving Comfort I was hooked! It is seriously the most comfortable and supportive {this is key for me!} sports bra I have owned; not to mention cute {most of my sports bras are black or white}

Thanks Stacie for modeling...I wore mine during my first leg when it was cold & pouring down raine

 When I asked what I should pack for a relay, everyone said compression apparel! NUUNKOTB turned to ZENSAH for our compression needs: The Zensah compression leg sleeves are made with gradient compression which provides wide ribbing in the front for shin support and tight ribbing in the back for calf support. Not only did the compression sleeves keep our legs feeling fresh between legs, the colors were neon-tastic! 

No matter what runner you are of a relay, you will have to run one of your legs during "nighttime" hours, which means you will have to run in a reflective vest {which as you can see, I liked! And even wore during non-nighttime hours}.  I choice a RoadNoise vest {which I confirmed was Ragnar approved}.  Why RoadNoise!? The RoadNoise comes equipped with lightweight speakers {didn't bother me at all while running} and a cord for an MP3 player or iPhone {headphones aren't the safest, especially at night!}...just plug in your tunes and you are ready to SAFELY rock your run! The music was plenty loud enough, and I could her traffic & people around. Oh, and did you notice it's pink!? {they have other colors too}

 I was singing and dancing through the miles! 

I never run without my phone because its my GPS and iPod! When you're doing a relay, with a group of bloggers, its pretty important to have your phone with you at all times...you don't want to miss a prime twitter or instagram opportunityv{Not often on a run are you passed by Risky Business}.  Thanks to spi-belt we were able to stay connected to the social networking world at all times :c) {and didn't even notice we were carrying our phones} Oh, and having our phones on us came in handy when we got lost...

One of the main priorities while doing a relay is staying properly caffeinated!

Last, but definitely not least, is having a #lemontea ready for runners when they finish their last leg!

WHAT IS ON YOUR RELAY ESSENTIALS LIST?