Have you ever associated a brand with a good time, maybe an awesome experience, so when you see that product or brand it brings back an outpouring of amazing memories?! Can you say the same for your sense of smell or taste? Certain things just take you back, right?

This may sound silly of me to admit, but honeysuckle reminds me of my childhood, when I had summers off from school and was just having fun being a kid. When I get a whiff of honeysuckle it floods my brain with awesome memories and gives me an endorphin rush and relieves the stress of being an adult.

Would you believe me when I say these two brands (BOCO Gear and Nuun) offer me the same overwhelming sense of assurance?

BOCO Gear is based out of Boulder, CO and when I think of Colorado I think of the amazing adventures my Brother and I shared driving across the US. It was an epic road trip I’ll remember forever, I even had his Colorado license plate tattooed on my leg!

You might be asking yourself; what does this have to do with running?

Here’s why: during that trip during overnights at hotels, I would lace up and go for a run in a new state, a new town, and a place that was utterly unknown to me. It was euphoric to say the least, catching a runners high in uncharted territory is crazy good.

Fast forward to the Ragnar Relay and I found myself in a similar circumstance. I was running off little sleep in an area unknown to me, but at the same time was catching a buzz off running in a new and exciting place. Call me crazy but it was a flood of emotions I’ll soon never forget.

At the completion of Ragnar I spotted the BOCO logo on an hat that just called out my name. Call me crazy, but that BOCO Gear hat just opened the flood gates on my memory banks and every time I place it on my head, it takes me back. When I’m rocking a BOCO Gear hat, you know I’m living in the moment and soaking in as much experience as my brain will allow. Since Ragnar I’ve purchased 3 more BOCO Gear hats, their fit, quality and feel really appeal to me as a reputable and dependable brand. Among so many things that’s why I’m proud to join the 2019 MVP Team of Ambassadors!

I was first introduced to Nuun right before the Philadelphia Hot Chocolate 15k. My Mom said she saw some at the race expo and decided to give it a try. As a World Champion Dragon Boat Crew Member, I take Mom’s word when it comes to hydration. So I remember I popped the tab in my water and letting it fizz away into tasty goodness.

That was my first ever race I had registered for following my epic weight loss of around 60 lbs. and it was my first experience running a 15k. The crowd and the excitement of race day in the City of Brotherly Love was beyond memorable! I recall almost every moment of that race and remember how overwhelmed I felt, and yet oddly empowered seeing the miles go by. You always remember your first race, and I’m so happy that Nuun was a part of such a great time.

Every time I taste Lemon-Lime Nuun it reminds me of the excitement of running and the enjoyment this community brings.

Cheers to a new year and new opportunities!