Disclaimer: I received a free entry to The Hot Chocoate 15K Dallas as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
The Hot Chocolate 15K is a well known race for good reasons. #1: Chocolate. But my personal favorite, the SWAG. The Hot Chocolate races always have the best swag. This year, a super soft and nice quarter zip pullover and free race photos!
So, naturally, I was interested in running this one. I’ve run it before and knew it was sure to be well-organized and, most importantly, super fun. I knew a lot of friends that were running too, so it was like a big runner meet up!
So, how was the race?! Well, race morning I get up and brew my usual coffee (I put extra coffee ground in on race day), sat and sipped while puppy-snuggling and Insta-scrolling. This is my usual pre-run routine. I give myself an hour to wake up, feed my pup, drink my coffee, and get out the door.
I’d already planned on what I’d wear but last minute decided to do a tank and arm sleeves vs. a long sleeve. It’d be 40 degrees, which from previous running experiences, didn’t quite warrant for a long sleeve for racing. Although I probably would’ve been comfortable in a thin long sleeve as well.
Anyway, I get geared up and ready to go. I made a bowl of oatmeal and brought a banana to eat in the car. I left for Downtown Dallas with plenty of time, which is good, because although i thought I’d be way TOO early, I made it just in time (traffic! everyone and their mother is at this race!)
I met up with the BibRave Pros and a few other friends and said hi and hung out in the big gear-check indoor area until it was time to get into corrals. I was in “L” because my projected time required verification, which I never provided. I don’t believe I’ve really raced a 15K before, so I was just guessing my time based on my previous Half Marathon time.
A few days before the run, I decided I’d try for a 1:10. My goal pace for the Half Marathon distance has been 7:40 lately, so I thought 7:30 was reasonable. Holy hills I was wrong. The hills and the wind were really tough. I felt OK but not incredibly strong that morning (though my Garmin was convinced my Performance Level was a “+10!!!”) so, anyway, I felt like it was a miracle to see a sub-8 pace on my watch after the run. I felt like I really struggled. But I managed! My pace was just barely in the 7’s (7:58/mile per the official time of 1:14). This was good for 6th in my Age Group! I’ll take it! One day I’ll be up there…
Anyway, time wasn’t the most important thing for me this race. I got to see so many run buddies!!! Before the race, after, and even during! Even though I REALLY, REALLY wanted to quit at the sight of each hill, knowing that my friends were there really motivated me. It was a tough one for me – physically and mentally. But totally worth the good time and meet up with friends!
Afterwards, I got my hot chocolate goodie mug (a bowl of pure deliciuosness) and talked to a few people. It was cold and the run was DONE! Hot chocolate never tasted so good in my life. This is my favorite part of this race. Warming up with sweet hot chocolate.
All in all, this race was such a great time! For a full in-detail review of the race itself, check out my review on BibRave, and to see time results, check out my Athlinks page (and friend me!)
Huge thank you to Lifelong Endurance for coaching me towards becoming a stronger runner!
Review on BibRave.com: https://www.bibrave.com/races/hot-chocolate-dallas/9247#.WnnC6ahKtaQ
Athlinks: https://www.athlinks.com/event/19259/results/Event/618731/Course/945049/Bib/51469
Have you run a Hot Chocolate 5K/15K race in your city (or somewhere fun)?
Do you have Athlinks? What are your thoughts?
Jenna runs 
Congrats on your race and an excellent finish time, especially with some of the injuries and niggles you had a few weeks ago! For everything you got this seems like a great deal- I did hear the pullovers are kind of small sized but I would like that. Also, it’s nice to sometimes just run and have a meetup/fun with friends rather than all out racing.
I do have Athlinks. I think it’s a neat way to keep up with your race times and results. No other thoughts really… it’s just Athlinks. I already write my times on all my bibs anyway.
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Thank you! I am proud of this one with all things considered. The pullovers are a bit small especially because I like my long sleeves to be loose fitting, but fortunately they had a size swap station! And it is fun to just run “for fun” (it’s all for fun, but you know). Athlinks is really neat I think because I’m not that organized with keeping track of my times but that is a brilliant idea to write your times on your bib! Then do you hang them up? It would be neat to keep them in an album, too. Now you have me thinking. 🙂
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Congrats!! That looks like such a fun race; thanks for sharing!!
I just signed up with Athlinks! I am not very good at keeping track of all of that stuff myself, so it is so nice to have it managed for me!!
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