It seems like I’ve been planning this race forever.  After our girls weekend in the Finger Lakes last September, we were anxious to plan another.

My running friend, Deirdre (who winters in Florida) suggested this race since we ran it in 2019 and had so much fun.

This racing series is popular around the country but it is no longer was offered near us.

So I signed up for the Tampa Hot Chocolate 15k because:

• Duh…Chocolate!!
• Florida in December!
• A weekend away with my running friends.
• A running friend winters about an hour away and she offered us a free place to stay.
• It would be close after my previous 10k 2 weeks prior so I would be sorta already trained for it.

Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I did run a 10K on Thanksgiving Day and then 8 and 7 mile runs on the weekends before this race.

But, again my goal for this race was just finishing especially since I would NOT be acclimated to the temps and/or humidity.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Because I wasn’t sure if we would be driving to Tampa for the expo, I paid the extra $20 bucks and had my bib and swag mailed to me.

We arrived late Thursday evening and first thing Friday morning, we went out for a run at a local preserve to try to get used to the heat/humidity

and then out to lunch

We spent most of the afternoon at the pool/hot tub.

In the evening, we had dinner with some new friends (who were also running the race).

On Saturday, we went for a walk in the neighborhood

and then again spent most of the day enjoying the sunshine at the pool/hot tub

I’m usually pretty good about watching what  I eat the night before a race… but this time I was very relaxed about the whole thing.

So yes, I had a huge ice cream cone in the afternoon (and more of that trifle for dessert that night.)

In the evening, we carb loaded on homemade pizza.

I set out my race outfit and went to bed early (not that I slept well but the intent was there.)

Forecast:

Race Day:

As I always do, I brought my race day breakfast from home: oatmeal.  Up at 5:15 am and ready to leave for Tampa at 6:15 am.

My stomach reminded me why I shouldn’t have had ice cream the day before…

Heidi was running the 10k and me the 15k.

Deirdre unfortunately sprained her ankle in a trail race the weekend before and couldn’t run but she and Kevin came to cheer us on.

Deirdre’s friends were also running the 15k and met us there.

Both races started at 7:55 am. We found parking in a nearby parking garage and got there plenty early… No port a potties. Instead real bathrooms in the Convention Center (yay!)

We watched the 5k runners start

Soon we all headed toward our start.

Neil and I were in the same corral (J) but Heidi and RuthAnn were further back.

Description:

You’ll start and end at the Tampa Convention Center, where the post-race party in the Front Drive and Sail Plaza will be waiting for you! And if that isn’t indulgent enough, checkout these additional highlights! The course will take you by awesome views of Columbus
Statue Park, the City of Tampa’s Pirate Ship, the Bayshore Fitness Trail, and the Historic Hyde Park North neighborhood. PLUS, you’ll run along the water the entire route.

start changed to 7:55am this year.

Anyway, here’s how the race went:

Miles 1-5:

After the national anthem, the corrals started. I think mine (J) was in the third group start.

It was very crowded and hard to run fast (which was good).

I started with Neil but quickly realized that he was going to be faster so let him go ahead.

The only hill in the race was in the first mile… running over the Platt Street bridge.

It was warm and humid!! It didn’t help that I felt kinda nauseous.

So I was determined to run slow and enjoy the scenery! As you can see from the course map, we ran along the water (Bayshore Blvd) the whole race.

Obviously I got thirsty fast and luckily there was a water stop every 1.5 miles. I stopped at EVERY one!

My one complaint was how tiny the cups were.  I drank at least 2 at each stop.  I also used the water stops for my walk breaks (until the end when I walked more often).

And so I stopped for water at mile 1.5 3 and 4.5.

Neil was ahead of me so he passed and yelled “You got this!” at least twice.

I wasn’t hungry but forced myself to eat a Gu (at least for the electrolytes.)

It was a beautiful day to spend at the beach… sunny and not a cloud in the sky (perfect running weather?  Not so much).

Miles 5-9.3

A little past mile 5, we turned around and headed back…

False alarm! At the 4.5/6 mile water stop, we headed back out again and then turned back to head toward the finish.

Two more water stops around mile 6.5 and 8.  I ate one more GU at the last one.

My pace kept slowing down and I started to walk between water stops…

I was dying at this point… hot… blisters but I saw my friends on the sidelines cheering so I started to get a second wind.

Finally I crossed the finish line happy as the announcer yelled: “Here comes Darlene Cardillo and she’s 70 years young!!”

Post Race Activities:

Heidi had already finished and gotten her refreshments… I was too tired to walk to get mine so she graciously shared (I ate the banana dipped in chocolate fondue).

I removed my running shoes and put on my Oofos. Ahhhh!

And we waited to cheer on RuthAnn

and then RuthAnn and I retrieved our refreshments on the way back to our cars. I did drink the HOT chocolate (and it was hot!!) and took the dippables home.

I checked results to see if I won my age group (70+).

According to the website: 1st Place in each Age Group receives 100% off next year’s registration and $40 merch coupon emailed 1-2 weeks after the race.

As we walked back to car, we looked for a place to eat lunch but instead decided to return home and eat near there.

Of course, a soak (and drink) in the hot tub was a prerequisite before our celebratory dinner.

Happy to report that I felt fine the next day (as a cold front blew in and offered perfect running temps.)

Additional Race Reflections:

The race was fun. It was even better running it with friends and with good weather.  This race company has organized races all over the country and it was very well organized.

I know I could have pushed myself and gotten a faster time.  But I didn’t feel great and with the humidity and warm temps, I preferred to play it safe.

It was almost a PW… 10 minutes slower than my last Hot Chocolate 15k on a hilly course. My 15K PR was even on a hilly course.

As you know, my pace is not what it used to be… and I’m not sure I care.

Age Graded times rock!!

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up. (They even gave out chocolate samples.)
• Pre-race emails with instructions and maps.
• Bib and jacket mailed (with extra $)
• Real bathrooms at the start/finish area.
• Bag Check. Well organized before and easy pick up at the end.
• Water and chocolate stops along the course.
• Well marked course.
• Water views almost the whole race.
• Pacers for all paces up to 15 m/m.
• Very cool medal.
• Gender specific hoodies.
• No lines for post race refreshments.
• Free photos.
• Awards announced for top 3 but age group awards mailed.
• Useful awards (not another medal!)
• 5k and 10k options in addition to the 15k.
• Important Charity – St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
• Great weather (sunny and not too hot).
• Beautiful views of Tampa Bay.
• Flat course.
• Legs and body felt great after the race.

The Bad:

• Out and back course was a little boring.
• Water cups were too small.
• Humidity (but hey, it’s Florida).
• No shade!
• Upset stomsch (my fault!)

The Ugly:

• The blisters on my feet

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.  For all the reasons above.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

 

 

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