Will Run for Chocolate

I have spent countless hours on the Lakefront path over the years.  It is a great place to run.  And I've run dozens of races on various parts of the path as well.  They are always fun.  But I've never seen a running event like Sunday's races on the path.  The Hot Chocolate 15k/5k races were simply amazing!

I have to admit, I was pretty skeptical.  When I heard they had 12,000 people signed up for the races, I thought that was about three times too many people to crowd onto the path or in the available parking spaces.  I knew it was going to be a challenge to arrive at the race on time, given that I would have to park downtown and take public transportation to get to the start.  Once I arrived, I expected the facilities, including gear check and restrooms, to be overwhelmed.

But that wasn't the case.  Most everyone seemed to get the message the organizers sent out about parking.  The three closest lakefront lots were closed.  We took the bus from the loop, and it was crowded with other runners wearing their numbers.  The bus emptied out at the Montrose stop, and we joined a herd of others heading to the starting area in the Montrose parking lot. Once we arrived they had porta-potties and gear-check tents that seemed to rival the set-up for the Chicago marathon.

The fact that it was a beautiful morning, and ideal running weather, probably helped make the overall experience better.  Unfortunately, I was planning only on using the race only as a little bit of a workout.  I ran long and hard in Barrington Saturday morning, and planned to enjoy more of a social run with my wife at this race.  That was fine, however, because it seemed like a good portion of the field seemed to be doing the same thing.

The draw for many of the entrants was the nice jacket or hoodie the organizers gave out in the goodie bags, and the post-race chocolate festival.  I was late to sign up, so I settled for a hoodie, but we made the most of the chocolate after the race!  They had fountains set up for chocolate fondue. They gave out trays with various fruit and pretzels for dipping.  I'm sure I consumed more post-race calories than I burned during the race, but every once in a while you just gotta indulge right?

The post race celebration was especially sweet for my wife, who has successfully gotten back to her pre-baby weight, 7 months after giving birth to our fourth child.  She has been working very hard at it, and managed to run her 5k pr in this race.  She declined my offer to pace her, and managed to run it on her own.  Congratulations to her!

This was only the second year of the race, and the number of entrants quadrupled in just one year.  Even though it was just a day after Halloween, it was a great concept.  It was a fun Sunday morning, and my wife was calling her friends who opted not to run this year to encourage them to sign up next year.  

I couldn't help but think about the fact that one year ago at the same time as the Hot Chocolate race, I was pounding the streets of New York, running the marathon there.  It was an amazing day, and they were blessed with another one this year.  This year, however, I really enjoyed watching it on television, and sitting on the couch already done with my run for the day!

And speaking of marathons, it's time for a lot of Boston Qualifiers to think about how they want to train for the race in April.  Noone in the area knows that subject better than my friend Mark Buciak, who has run 30 consecutive Boston marathons.  He is hosting a seminar, and run this saturday at The Runner's Soul in Elmhurst (124 N. York Rd).  It starts at 7:30 with check-in and a run.  The seminar starts at 10. I'm hoping to make it.  The information is on his website www.theroadtoboston.info   See you on the roads....
  

 

Comments

[Mike H.]

What a great race and even better weather. I was skeptical as well but they really put together an incredible race. This was my second year running the Hot Chocolate 15k and I look forward to next year.

[Judy M.]

I'd like to second the congratulations to your wife. Good for her!!