Hot Chocolate 15K - Run15k

START: Start time was delayed 20-30 minutes. Apparently a truck got stuck under an overpass on the 5K course, so they had to delay that race while they diverted the course, causing a further delay to the 15K. Favorite story from the start line: Guy talking to two other guys about my age asking them about their intended time. They said about an hour and a half. Original guy quickly snapped back "What are you doing up here then?" It got awkward after that and they didn't talk to each other any more.

First 5K (22:11; 7:08/Mile)
Jumped straight into a hard yet controlled pace. Saw at least 10 people walking... way to control the A corral! Speaking of the corral, it doesn't take much to qualify to be up front. If you ran a 5K in under 23 minutes in the past year you can be in the A corral for the 15K. This meant there was a huge variety in pacing for everyone at the front. I tried my best to stay controlled. Hit the first mile marker at 7:10. Felt good about this. Goal was to push just a bit faster than 7:30/mile, so was plenty okay going out a little fast to start. About a mile and a half in we escaped the loop and were out into the sun. Not long after that I shed my gloves.

Second 5K (22:37; 7:17/mile)
After completing the first 5K more than a minute fast than planned I looked to maintain my effort and make sure I saved energy for the last 5K. This section of the course was all in the sun so I started to warm up a bit considering I was wearing a long sleeve compression shirt. During this part of the race I had a couple aid station mishaps. The first was volunteer error. I guess the girls handing out the drinks were tired of getting splashed by runners grabbing the cups, so they started pulling away as I reached for the cups. I literally had three girls pull back so quickly I missed the cups. When I finally grabbed a cup of Gatorade I splashed a bunch of it up my nose! I need to get a lot better at drinking from those cups while running. I also managed to dodge one guy who launched a snot rocket my way just after one of the aid stations. Look before you snot!
Around mile 4 my feet started to get a bit numb. This last maybe 2 and a half miles, but luckily I don't think it affected my performance.

Last 5K (22:34; 7:16/Mile):
After passing by the 10K marker I could tell my legs were really starting to tire. Every once in a while I would catch my form slipping. It became as much of a mental battle as a physical one. I had to keep reminding myself to keep an upright posture. This helped keep me with my natural mid-foot strike as opposed to a heel strike that will sneak in when I'm tired. I slowed a lot in the 8th mile, running that split in 7:30. There were small packs of people passing me so that was a bit demoralizing. Coming across the bridge back over the river I heard a guy behind yell and fall. Looked like he got tangled up with another runner on the downhill. Not pretty. Fortunately there were already spectators and volunteers there to help.
I was well ahead of my goal of a 7:30 pace, but the 7:30 8th mile felt so much slower than the previous 7 that I was not happy. I started to push myself for the last mile+ to the finish line. There was a guy behind me for that entire time literally dry-heaving, so I had good motivation to keep moving forward. I pushed hard up the Roosevelt hill onto Columbus, gritting my teeth for the cameras. Held a strong pace through the finish completing the last mile+ as just over a 7 minute pace.

On race day I think I performed just as I wanted to (with the small exception of the Gatorade up the nose)!

After slowly moving through the finishing chute I grabbed some Gatorade and Water. Grabbed my bag from gear check and stretched a bit after changing out of my sweaty shirts and nasty shoes (this was the last race in my first pair of Kinvaras, they are now officially retired). Got my fondue and dippables which were deceptively good and met with some friends before heading out for brunch and beer!


A lack of tempo runs in training definitely held me back here. I feel like my mileage build was plenty adequate for this race, but my legs weren't necessarily ready to push pace for that long. I have been throwing some decent pace work in at the end of medium runs, but that is usually just maybe 3 miles of pushing distance, at less than race pace.
I also need to start doing my hip strengthening exercises again. I could feel them getting super tired during the run, and they were in major pain after. This is likely part to blame for when my form started to break down.


I was a bit skeptical going into this race based on past reviews, but with the new course I really can't complain! Granted I was in the A-Corral, but with the exception of the first 1/2 to full mile I never really felt boxed in and was able to run my race. Things were quick and smooth at after party which is good considering the # of people.
One suggestion: They bought tons and tons of bananas for dipping into chocolate, but provided none at the finish line. I would have liked a banana with my water and Gatorade.