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).
banana trifle for dessert
On Saturday, we went for a walk in the neighborhood
loving this gorgeous weather…
and then again spent most of the day enjoying the sunshine at the pool/hot tub
ahhh
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.)
due to the temps, I decided against wearing those calf sleeves
Forecast:
quite a difference from the weather I trained in…
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…
holy humidity
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.
Neil and RuthAnn
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.
FLAT!
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.
photo by Kevin
Finally I crossed the finish line happy as the announcer yelled: “Here comes Darlene Cardillo and she’s 70 years young!!”
did he have to mention my age?
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+).
Hooray for being “old”
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:
if my ankle heals soon enough so I can train
OR
Happy Running! Ever run a Hot Chocolate race? If so, did you enjoy it?
Sunday – I started the day at the gym and spent some extra time there walking around the track.
We were supposed celebrate the holidays with my stepson & DIL but my hubby was real sick so we postponed it until the new year.
I got a trail walk done before the rain set in and then spent the rest of the day doing errand/shopping.
Monday – Since it was not likely that I would get to the gym until the weekend (due to work), I decided to go again in the morning.
It rained most of the day so I was not able to get my run done at lunch.
chilly and damp but it got done
Luckily I could to squeeze in a run after the rain stopped and before I went out to dinner to celebrate a friend’s B-day.
Tuesday – It was supposed to be a rest day but because the rest of the week was so busy with work and it was sunny, I decided get in one more run for the week.
I drove to the rail trail and I was in a rush, lots on my mind, listening to a podcast and then suddenly somehow, I was down on the ground…
Twisted my right ankle (the good one).
I limped back to my car.
Swollen, bruised and very painful… (RICE and tears)
Wednesday – Unfortunately, I had to stand all day (ouch) for my job.
Ankle is still swollen, bruised and painful. (More RICE and tears).
No run with Heidi.
Thursday – Unfortunately, I had to stand all day AGAIN for my job.
Ankle is still swollen, bruised and painful. (More RICE and tears).
No run with Heidi.
Friday – Unfortunately, I had to stand all day AGAIN for my job.
Ankle is less swollen, less painful but more bruised.
Friday is Mah Jongg night and thankfully, you sit when you play. (One of my friends there has metastasized breast cancer that has spread to her bones and now her lungs – puts it all in perspective so no more whining about my ankle).
Saturday – LONG RUN DAY- half marathon in 7 weeks!! And another in 11 weeks!!
NO RUN – Just brunch with my friends after THEY finished running.
just because…
Sunday – Plan to hit the gym and use the arm machines…
So they say bad things come in threes:
My cat disappears
My hubby gets very sick
I fall and sprain my ankle
Then I’m done!!
This Coming Week on the Run –
NO RUNNING
Some upper body work at the gym
Some stationary biking at home
Xmas dinner out (or with in-laws?)
ZOOM with my college friends
B-day dinner with my BFF
WFH all week so rest the ankle
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Tampa Hot Chocolate 15k Race Recap
Friday – Runfessions
Happy Running! How is your year of running ending? Training for any big or small races this winter? How’s the weather where you live? Ever sprain your ankle? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Back from my brief race-cation in Florida to holiday party mode.
I hope I can run enough to burn off those calories.
(Kitty update: he’s still AWOL 😦 )
Last Week –
Sunday – Tampa Hot Chocolate 15K – no need for hot chocolate after this warm, humid race. Even though it was very close to a PW, I won my age group and had lots of fun.
I’m pretty sure after a delicious brunch, we headed to the hot tub.
Rain canceled our outdoor plans so we spent the evening watching Hallmark movies.
Monday – Last day in sunny Florida so I went for a walk/run in the neighborhood
a cold front had come through so it was a little chilly but so much warmer than home..
After packing, we went out to our last lunch and then on the way to the airport, we spent time in Dunedin.
I got to see my friend’s work at DFAC and yes, there was ice cream…
Tuesday – A late arrival home the night before so I was pooped but I dragged myself to the gym before work and ran at lunch.
cold and windy… please take me back to Fla!!
Wednesday – I had planned to stop at the gym before work and run at lunch again… but a co-worker called in sick so I had to rush to the Training Center.
An unplanned rest day before
Holiday Party #1 – with my tennis friends.. it’s an annual thing with lots of food, Chinese grab bag, laughs and music/singing.
Thursday – Back to the Training Center for work with a stop on the way:
it was yummy! (iced creme brulee latte)
and a run after at UAlbany.
Friday – Holiday Party #2- at the office and then I had to rush back to the Training Center.
Mah jongg in the evening…
Saturday – Started off the day with a long run and the weather was perfect. Most of my friends were getting ready for the party so I ran 8 miles only with Deb. We were treated with new artwork on the rail trail.
these pieces replaced the ones from the Pandemic and most had accompanying poetry so beautiful..
Holiday Party #3 – with my running friends… it’s also an annual thing with lots of food, drink and running talk.
Sunday – Plan to start the day at the gym and end with dinner at my stepson & DIL’s (holiday party #4) since the hubby is sick, just a visit with my granddaughter.
she loved Santa!
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – run, b-day dinner for a friend
Tuesday – GYM, rest day
Wednesday – run
Thursday –run, walk with BFF
Friday – rest day, mah jongg
Saturday – Long Run
Sunday – GYM, hike
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Hot Chocolate 15k Race Recap
Friday – Goals for 2024
Happy Running! How is your year of running so far? Training for any big or small races this winter? How’s the weather where you live? Do you have a lot of holiday parties? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Today’s Topic is: Five Favorite Fitness Moments For This Year
1.My Second Marathon
Was it as much fun as in 2019 when I ran my first?
No, because that year, I shared the racing experience with two bloggers, Lacey and Cari, who also ran the race. And it my FIRST!!
But it was still a memorable achievement and I was lucky to have my running friends there for moral support this time around.
2.My Girls Race-cation
As always we had a blast. The weather wasn’t ideal but it didn’t seem to dampen our spirits as we had good meals, ran a race, visited the Glass Museum and saw 19 waterfalls at Watkins Glen.
3.My Tennis Vacation
I went to Naples, Fla in May to play tennis with my friends as I have done every year since 2005. Like with my running friends, it also included laughter, good food and on this trip, theater and beach time.
4. Hikes with Running Friends
Our local running club sponsors them in the summer on Thursday evenings and a few of us also go on my Mondays off.
5. Hot Chocolate Race
Back in 2019, we had so much fun running this race in Brooklyn but then they discontinued it.
Luckily it is still scheduled in Tampa, Fla not far from where one of our running friends winters.
Happy Running! What are your favorite fitness moment(s) from 2023?
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
My First 5K and More... 