Lucky you I’m going to try to condense one amazing/awesome/scary/painful/fun/inspiring weekend into one post. I know you’ll get 20 million updates in your google reader that you’ll soon be skipping past. How many times can we really expect you to read “OMG IT WAS THE BEST WEEKEND EVER!!!”. (it was,by the way) So I’m giving you the recap of MY experience only and let everyone else describe theirs.
I got in to Seattle on Wednesday, after quickly checking into the hotel we went to a Mariners game. Nuun had some fun team building stuff planned for Wednesday and Thursday. Things like team runs, the game, dinner/drinks and a “Amazing Race Seattle/Nuun” style. It was basically a scavenger hunt throughout the city where we took pics of iconic Seattle landmarks and put nuun temp tatts on strangers.
The swag was amazing as always. This year we had three teams, all “AfterNuun Delight” but divided up as Morning/Noon/Night. We all wore Team Sparkle skirts and bright fun colors. We weren’t required to wear them though, just encouraged. I wore the skirt for my first two legs, and ripped it off myself on the final leg and tossed it to my team. I didn’t really notice it the first two legs, but on the last leg it was riding up like crazy and drove me bonkers. They were a great way for everyone to recognize us along the way, people were constantly yelling “love the skirt”. I could see myself wearing it for another relay/costume run,but not on a regular basis, they just aren’t “me”. I know I’m bucking the trend here, but to each their own.
I was runner one again this year. I love this position. I get to run down a mountain.
I felt pretty good on leg one. Its a huge elevation loss and rough on the quads (and toes!) but you can’t beat the view. It’s gorgeous and I’m blessed to have run it again. I got the same “off” feeling around mile 4 that I did last year. Sudden headache,nausea and my legs felt like they were going to go out from underneath me. I think it’s an altitude thing, not sure but I expected it so just kept on moving. Man I love that leg.
Getting the official HTC slap bracelet/baton
I LOVED my van mates and had a fabulous time cheering them on as they ran. To address something mentioned on GOMI, you’r right, I’m not “physically” like my team mates. And indeed I’m not as fast as them, valid point there as well. Thankfully they never made me feel like LESS of a runner because of it.
My second leg was through Portland at 12:30ish in the morning. I went down to the exchange not totally prepared. XLMIC (our #12 runner) came in a bit early and I grabbed the slap bracelet and took off with loose tied shoes and my safety vest not situated and flustered. I ran over the Hawthorne bridge overlooking lights on the water. As I came off the bridge I started fiddling with situating my RoadNoise vest (which I love,by the way). I’ll be totally honest and admit I wasn’t paying attention as I was running, suddenly a rat ran out in front of me. I was startled and tripped over my own feet. Yes, I’m an idiot. To be clear-I’m not especially afraid of rats-I was just taken by surprise and distracted enough to fall. I got tangled up in my own feet (the rat was fine) and fell on my hip. A not so pleasant smelling but very KIND homeless man helped me up and I went on my way. It felt ok at first but the longer I ran the more it started hurting. But I finished the leg.
Not going to act a martyr. I totally messed up by not paying attention when running in the dark.
At home icing. Don’t judge the broccoli-I was out of peas.
I slapped off to Corey and headed back to the van, asking for ice and ibuprofen. I climbed in the back seat and made a middle of the night call to Charles. I bawled as I told him what happened. The thing is-I felt so freaking stupid. I was angry with myself. I knew going into HTC this year that I was undertrained. Running hasn’t been a priority, BUT I was going into it uninjured so I knew I’d be ok. So yeah-I was pissed at myself for doing something stupid. Who falls when they see a silly rat?! Me apparently.
I had traveled with some muscle relaxers (holla!) figuring I’d take one on the way home, but decided to take one after that leg. I totally passed out and woke up as our runner 6 had just finished. I was shocked I had slept that long and I’m guessing my team mates hate me for it 
sorry guys.
My last leg was at 10 in the morning. Last year this Mist leg was my favorite, I felt strong and I went into the exchange yelling and smiling. This year would be different. Knowing I was hurting, my team offered to take my leg. I knew I could finish the leg but I also know it would be SLOW and maybe even just a run/walk. I didn’t want to quit but I also didn’t want my team upset by our slower time. Thankfully they said they didn’t care if I came in slower and they allowed me to run (I use that term loosely) that last leg. It was ugly but I finished.
I wasn’t happy with myself, I know I fucked up our time. I’m aware I was the slow one. It doesn’t feel good but I finished my legs, I had an amazing time and my team never made me feel bad about it. The great thing about Hood to Coast is that its MORE than just running, its about being a team, bonding, and for us-hydrating the masses along the way.
CLICK HERE for a full list of the team, everyone will be recapping in the weeks to come.
With HTC Founder/President Bob Foote
We reached the beach in 28:46:30 and celebrated in the Nike VIP tent.
I’d like to take a moment to thank Nuun. They went above and beyond to make this an amazing experience. I’m honored to represent a brand whose product AND people I believe in. Thank you for making our running dreams come true.
Looks like a lot of fun.!
TONS!
I love this Tricia.
Sounds like it was a huge success. Minus the bruise. Love broccoli on bruises way more than peas.
Looks like it was blast!!
Keep icing lady!
Wish my layover in PHX had been long enough to join you and C!
Honey, I would have not only fallen but probably died of a heart attack if I had seen a rat – especially at night in an unfamiliar setting. I am irrationally scared of rodents and walked around in 3-inch platforms for a month when my rental had mice.
I think you did an awesome job and no one should make you feel otherwise. I’ve never once that the nuun teams were about more than being a good experience for the bloggers, and this from a jealous girl who couldn’t apply and wanted to hate on the event.
Thank you!
This looks so awesome! I love the sparkle skirts! Great job!
Thanks!
Ahhh sounds like you are being too hard on yourself! I am sure you are being your harshest critic! I am glad you recognize that the experience wasn’t all about being fast, winning….more about doing your best and developing a camaraderie/friendship with your teammates.
Looks like an amazing time, and a great experience that you were blessed to have, thanks for sharing your recap and pics!
I am sorry about your fall
Looks painful!
Totally, was about WAY more than being fast
Sounds like an amazing weekend! Hope to get to run HTC someday (i applied and didn’t get picked this year). And, as for being fast or not, who cares? You all had fun as a team, right? Sounds like they were on the same page as you – go out there and have fun! As for the fall, falling down isn’t stupid, it sucks, but it happens – I fall down ALL the time, its ridiculous, but I just get back up and keep going, looks like you have the same idea.
Hope your hip and that bruise heal quickly!
Hope you apply again next year (and make it on the team), its an amazing experience!
Looks like so much fun (except for the fall)!! Great job to you and you teammates!
HTC always sounds like such an amazing experience! Sorry about the fall, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Hope your hip heals quickly!
Thanks Michelle, see you soon!
Good job finishing for the team! That is quite a bruise… ouch!!!
Looks like you had fun…you know, minus the rat, but even that makes for a good story. ‘Slow’ or not, you all did great!
Oh my good Lord! I would’ve fallen if a rat came out too! I am so glad you’re okay though and hope the bruising goes away fast. I’m jealous of the legs you got to run though. Running down the mountain seems AMAZING! I’m also jealous of the sleep you got! Anyway, I loved meeting you and getting to know you a bit and am glad we got to be roomies. [o:
Nice recap! So concise! I enjoyed meeting you. It was so much fun putting a face to all the posts I’ve read. Can’t wait to do it again!
With you on the sparkle…but you already knew that. I did have fun with it for the relay but….not my item of choice for running. I was so bummed when we heard you had fallen. And those GOMI bitches are just that. Love you and what you do
Trish!!!!!!!! you did the impossible….one post recap!!!! and you did it well!
I love it..now I am not loving the GOMI thing…what the hell is that? I mean I know who they are but I dont read that crap now I will have to and create an account to shut them up if I get mad when I read what they wrote about you……
I am so happy we got to meet and I hope to see you again very soon my friend
darn RATS
Thanks, <3 ya lady!
Ouch – you collected quite the bruise!
Great pictures and recap. Way to go!
Sorry about the fall, but it sounds like a great weekend!!! Glad you had fun!
Ugh, I hope that hip is better-not exactly the icing on the cake! You still get props for running down that mountain–that sucker is steep–and FINISHING!
Oh man! So crazy! Sorry you fell, but glad you had a good time anyway!
That looks like the most fun ever! I loved following along on twitter with all you gals!
Looks like a great time! I enjoyed all the tweets and pics this weekend. That sucks about your fall. I would have shrieked like a kid then probably cussed at the rat
.
Yikes! I would have tripped too! Don’t be so hard on yourself. It sounds like, other than the injury, you had a great time and that’s all that matters. Don’t let people bring you down. Decorum often goes out the window on the internet, I have found out. It looks like you had a ton of fun and that’s all that counts!
Tricia – you just plain ROCK. I absolutely LOVED sharing a van with you and I think you are so awesome! You ARE fast – don’t talk down about yourself like that! I think you’re amazing – it takes true heart to come back from a bad fall like that (the picture really shows how bad it was – OUCH!!) and still finish your last leg despite all the pain. THE HEART OF A CHAMPION! Now let’s start planning our Austin Reunion….
WTF is GOMI?! I suppose I don’t really want to know because it sounds like a bunch of BS. So glad I can use acronyms for all my angry words.
You are awesome and I loved following all of you guys on your HTC journey
Hello Tricia,
Just a quick message to ask if you would be interested in a ‘mutual’ following on twitter. I am currently following you now and am awaiting for your follow-back. (#FYI I do RT’s ‘anytime’ for all #Triathletes #Cyclists #UltraRunners & #Marathoners who follow me on Twitter and have something important they want mentioned…)
All the very best for the rest of 2012 and beyond Tricia. Look forward to hearing from you soon…
Darin
twitter.com/DarinArmstrong
#TeamLIVESTRONG
Congratulations, sounds like a great adventure. Sorry about the leg though, the rat would have freaked me out for sure! Hope it heals up quickly!
I was wondering if anyone had trouble with altitude sickness . . . . sounds like it didn’t last too long though . . . . and that the rat was the bigger offender!
Congrats on running! Hood to Coast is amazing!
Hope you aren’t beating yourself up too much over that fall. You are awesome, Tricia! You still finished and honestly, the same thing probably would have happened to either one of us! There are probably a ton of people that same thing would have happened to! This race just sounds like a total blast and the two of us could only be so lucky to either afford to create a time or one day be picked to run on Nuun’s team! Thanks for sharing your experience!
um I’m afraid of rats and probably would have jumped in to a ditch