Hot Chocolate 15k - Albuquerque - Run15k

Started the first couple of miles feeling pretty tight. I figured once I got a couple miles in the legs would loosen up, which they did. At the 1 and 2 mile markers I was way faster than I expected I'd be. I walked first aid station at about 2 miles. Took a gatorade and a water. After that I noticed my breathing was still difficult so I started run 5 walk 1/2. Continued this through until about 6 miles when I noticed my breathing felt better. I walked the 4 mile and 6 mile aid stations too. Sticking with the gatorade and water.

At the 10k mark I was pretty stoked because I was pretty sure I'd hit a 10k PR! At about mile 6 I started feeling the glutes/hip flexors. Not to bad but they made themselves known. After I walked the 8 mile aid station they started to really hurt. It was all I could do to keep picking my feet up. The left side REALLY hurt. My breathing was still good so I didn't want to walk so I scrounged up some HTFU and kept running.

5k 28:28 not a PR but ok with it
10k 58:58 PR!!!!!

I pictured the chocolate fondue waiting for me at the end! At about mile 5 the course markers started being beyond what my GPS gave me for the same markers, so I knew I was going to have to go a bit longer. After I made the final turn I had about a block to go. DH took some finish line photos and I look like I was still moving pretty good. I didn't expect DH to be there so it was a nice surprise for him to be at the finish.

Not sure what caused the hip/glute pain. Maybe not used to constant flat, maybe not used to constant pavement. Pretty happy with my race overall

As I came through the finish I was handed some wrapped chocolates and a couple bottles of water. From there I walked to the table where I received my "finishers award", a divided bowl holding a cup of hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and lots of stuff to dip. I found a place to sit and surveyed the goods. The fondue was YUMMO! I dipped the banana, the apples and the pretzels. I gave the marshmallow and rice krispie treat to DH to dip. After I enjoyed my fondue, I went to the expo and bought a tech shirt then went to get my stuff from check in.


Sore hip/glute (buttocks) More training. I'll get more weekly runs in when I begin my HIM training in a few weeks


I was a bit nervous about this race because RAM Racing has had some bad RR and reviews from Chicago and DC. It may be because Albuquerque is the metroplex that those cities are but the logisitics of this race were well done. I had no trouble finding parking, there were plenty of port-o-johns at the start and on the course. There were tons of volunteers. Everything from packet pick-up to receiving my post race food went smoothly. There was plenty of water and gatorade on the course. And the food at the end? YUMMO!!!! The hot chocolate was mediocre. This is the only negative item I've read from prior races that hasn't been corrected. I would absolutely do another RAM Racing event. I had a great time!

Not sure why I look angry in the photo with my finishers cup. Maybe I was squinting because I forgot my shades.