Archives for August 2011

I’m back in Virginia after an amazing trip to Washington & Oregon.

Hood to Coast was one of the most amazing races I’ve ever experienced. It was hard, it was fun, it was exhausting – and I wouldn’t change anything about it!

It was such an honor to race for Nuun & meet the {incredible} women that made up my team. I kind of really wish we were still hanging out…

Full race report & photos to come – but here are some of my favorites from the weekend

After-NUUN Delight van decoration:

VAN #2, rockin’ our Team Sparkle skirts

Run #1 – Leg #10: 5.04 miles, Moderate, 6:51 pace

Run #2 – Leg #22: 6.81 miles, Hard, 6:48 pace

Run #3 – Leg #34: 3.52 miles, Easy, 6:55 pace

The “Mel’s”: 

The FINISH:

If you like nuun as much as I {obviously} do, check out my giveaway {} 

I’m starting to get really excited about Hood to Coast. I’m almost done packing, created 2 informational packets (one for me, one for BJ) containing important stats, including leg order, mileage, start time, proposed finish time, team phone numbers, etc., and have butterflies in my stomach every time I think about HTC. {I even have them right now}

I can’t wait to run 10, 22, 34 – my legs for HTC. I’m really excited to hang with Van #2 (I’m in a van with some pretty amazing women). And thank my lucky stars {and God} that I’m not running in the middle of the night {don’t laugh at me – but I’m really afraid of what can happen in the dark}

I’ve totally got this – and plan on running my heart out for Team AfterNUUN Delight

Leg 10: 5.04 miles, Moderate
Leg 22: 6.81 miles, Hard
Leg 34: 3.52 miles, Easy
Total: 15.37 miles

Start Time: 12:30pm on Friday, August 26

Follow our journey on our Facebook pages {HERE} & {HERE} and on Twitter at @NUUNDelight and @run4margaritas

If you’ve ever run 10, 22, 34 at Hood to Coast – share your thoughts with me. {I want the inside scoop}

In honor of nuun & hood to coast, enter my giveaway {} 

On September 3, 2011, the Greater Washington Sports Alliance, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and Dominion Virginia Power will come together to host a signature environmental event to highlight the tremendous, unique, natural resource that exists in Northern Virginia — The Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD;) Trail. The event will feature the largest community service project in the trail’s history and will culminate with a festival off the trail that encompasses themes of active lifestyles, recreation, the environment and our community. Dominion Trail Mix will be a family themed event which will not only celebrate the Trail, but also our community as a whole.

Dominion Trail Mix is a family themed event which will not only celebrate the W&OD; Trail, but also our community as a whole. There will be three main components to the day’s activities:

• Hail The Trail:
The Largest Cleanup in the History of the W&OD; Trail
• The Great Skedaddle: 
Run, Walk, and Bike the W&OD; Trail
• Trailfest: 
A {free} Community Festival to Celebrate the W&OD; Trail

We need volunteers to help make the Dominion Trail Mix a success!

~Do you live in the Northern Virginia/DC area?
~Are you free on September 3, 2011?
~Morning (8am-noon) & Afternoon (noon-5pm) shifts are available.

Consider volunteering for the Dominion Trail Mix

For more information about the event, visit www.dominiontrailmix.com
To register as a volunteer, visit: http://dominiontrailmix.com/volunteer.htm

Email questions to dominiontrailmix@gmail.com

Come to Volunteer, Stay to Celebrate

Hood to Coast countdown is on. In 10 days, I will be running the “mother of all relays” {woot!}. I’m really excited but also {a little} nervous. I know I’m nervous because I had my 1st bad dream about the event: I totally forgot to pack, missed my flight to Seattle, and (ultimately) missed HTC.

I woke up in a cold sweat.
{note: I’m a former flight attendant – I never forget to pack – so this dream was especially disturbing}

Since I really don’t want to miss HTC, I could use your help!

Calling ALL runners: what is the one thing I *must* pack for HTC?

Here’s what I have {the no-brainers}

• Running shoes (2 pairs) – do I need 2 pairs?
• Running socks (6 pairs) – should I pack more socks?
• Running shorts (5 pairs)
• Sports bra (5)
• Running tank (3)
• Hat (provided by nuun)
• Garmin
• Sunglass (check out my new pair: )
• Headlamp
• Reflective vest & arm/ankle wrap 
• The Stick
• Compression socks
• Flip flops
• Snacks: honey stingers, nuun, sprees, etc.
• Personal: Nathan Power Shower body wipes, Advil, lip balm, gum, etc.
• Backpack {with lots of compartments for sweaty running clothes}
• Comfortable clothing, in between each leg

Should I bring a sleeping bag? If I don’t bring a sleeping bag, do you have another suggestion?

Must have snack? Music? etc.?

What am I missing?

Today is the last day to enter my Picky Bars giveaway {}