It seems like I’ve been planning this race forever.

After our girls’ weekend in the Finger Lakes in September 2023, we were anxious to plan another race-cation.

My running friend, Deirdre (who winters in Florida) suggested the Hot Chocolate 15k in Tampa. Heidi & I raced (Deirdre was injured) and we had so much fun than we repeated our visit last December.

We had signed up for a 10k but after we registered, they changed the race date to January.

We still made the trip but no race.

Unfortunately, they kept the January race date so we had to choose a different race.

This was NOT a race that I would choose as it is on trails (I do NOT race on trails!) but I agreed since the date and location worked for the others.

So I signed up for the RunFluent Christmas 7k because:

• Florida in December!
• A weekend away with my running friends.
• A running friend winters nearby, and she offered us a free place to stay.
• Peer pressure!
• We got matching holiday-themed tank tops.

Race Description:

• Back for year #3.
• 4 miler OR 7 hour multi lap!!!
• Race Day T-shirt for all participants
• Finisher awards for all finishers!
• Awards for Top 3 male/female each distance!!!
• Special award for anyone reaching a 50k by the 7th hour!!
• Cash prize for 1st Place each distance male/female!!!
• There will also be additional “trinkets” for each lap completed in the 7 hour event
• Multiple Loop (for the 7 hour race)
• Elevation = Rolling, ~2500 feet in 50 miles or 7 hours
• Surface = Mostly groomed trail or dirt roads

The Course according to my watch:

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 6 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 and trails scare me. There would be a lot of walking and looking at my feet.

My goal would be NOT TO FALL!

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

We arrived very late Thursday evening and first thing Friday morning, I went out for a run in the neighborhood to try to get used to the heat/humidity. Fortunately, it was not that warm (for Florida but warm for me.)

And then out to lunch (where I met up with my ex-SIL whom I hadn’t seen in over 20 years.)

In the evening, we carb loaded on homemade pizza and went to a concert.

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. There was a mimosa at lunch and beer at dinner. LOL.

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 at 6:15 am.

We arrived around 7 am and picked up our shirts and bibs.

There were real restrooms – always a plus.

And then we just hung out as they were setting things up.

At 7:40, they gave directions followed by a prayer and the national anthem.

Deirdre told me not to worry because Florida trails are not like upstate NY trails.  They are flat and sandy with an occasional root…

She was right.

I decided to stick with Deirdre and Heidi (although they run much slower than I do) and follow their 30:30 intervals.   It was perfect and if I got ahead, I just waited for them to catch up.

The trails were very pretty and with lake views at times.

There were several water stops… no cups because in your swag was a collapsible cup.  I was not really thirsty but if I was running a longer distance; it would have been great.  Around mile 2.5, we passed our car but then the course continued and eventually the finish was in sight.

I sprinted ahead and I was able to cheer on my two friends.

Post Race Activities:

They gave us our medals…

And now it was time to relax…

Nope, Deirdre and I decided it was too nice a day and we went back on the course…

Once we hit the car, we called it a day (or 2.5  more miles).

Deirdre’s friend Donna was still running (and ended after 22 miles) and Kevin and his friend Ben were going for a 50k.

We cheered for them every time they passed us..

We changed our clothes, had lunch that we brought and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

I understand why many runner enjoy trails and ultra races.  So relaxed.  Everyone was so friendly and enthusiastic.

Finally, everyone was finished and so we went out to celebrate…

Additional Race Reflections:

The race was fun. It was even better running it with friends and with good weather.  The race directors did a great job organizing all the details of this event.

I know that I could have pushed myself and gotten a faster time.  But I wanted to stay with my friends and just enjoy the whole day.

If I run this race again, I plan to sign up for the 7  hr. option and try to run 3 loops (and that would be a half marathon).

The Good:

• Well  organized before, during  and after.
• Real restrooms
• Amble parking
• Food for 7hr runners.
• Collapsible cups provided to all runners
• Well marked course
• Flat and scenic course
• Baby socks and pacifiers collected and donated to a charity.
• Raffle for those who donated to the charity
• 7k and 7hr options
• Perfect running weather.
• Enthusiastic participants and supporters.
• Running with friends
• Thousands of professional looking photos

The Bad:

• Nada

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.  For all the reasons above.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

3 free fun races and then: