Race Recap: Hot Chocolate 5K

Long over due race recap!

I signed up for this race months ago with the intent on running the 15K. It was the first race I signed up for post compartment syndrome, but I was excited that so many of my blogger friends and NuunKOTB teammates would be there running. I couldn't not sign up!

A couple of weeks before the race I almost bailed on going. Mostly because I have been really tired and because I didn't realize it was so close to the half marathon that I used for a training run. At the last minute I decided to see if I could downgrade to the 5K. Thankfully it was an option so mid week I officially decided to go. In the back of my mind I really hoped for a 5K PR.

I was able to leave Spokane at a decent time so I had plenty of time to get to the expo on Friday afternoon. Using the term "expo" isn't really appropriate because it was only a packet pick up. You could also purchase Hot Chocolate gear if you wanted. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the technical sweatshirt was. The only downside was that it ran super small, but they let you exchange sizes if you needed. I was glad that I checked my bib before I left because they had me in corral B. I was able to switch it to corral A with no problems.

I had a code that I used with registration which was how I got the tech hat for free- loved the extra swag. The drawstring bag is actually really cute too!

After the expo I decided to check out the Brooks outlet before my friend Adrienne got off of work. I put the address in my navigation which told me it was only about 20 minutes away from downtown. Liar. The traffic was horrendous! It took me forever to get there and by the time I did arrive Adrienne was already home. Bad idea on my part. I have been wanting to go to the Brooks outlet for a long time so I was really excited when I found it. I was a little disappointed in the clothing selection, but they had some great deals on shoes. I couldn't pass up the pink pure cadences! I think that my adventurous trip was worth it, but I probably won't make the special trip next time.

I am like a magnet to hot pink

Excited to try the Pure Flows out for running and FGF

On Saturday, Adrienne had to go into work so I hung out and enjoyed Seattle. I did what I really do best....drink coffee, shop and relax. 

Blogging at Starbucks and catching up on my "social" life

When Adrienne got home we went to the Ram Brewery for some dinner and pre race fuel. My turkey burger was delish, but so was the beer. Yes, that is a pretzel bun and no I didn't know what one was before Saturday. It was pretty amazing. I will be eating many more pretzel buns in the future. How did I not know what one was?!

Nom Nom

Gear ready to go, alarm set....night night!

Brooks: Pure Connects, Seamless Arm Warmers, Versatile Bra, D'Lite Mesh Tank 

Nuun: Podium Headsweats Hat

Garmin: Forerunner 610
Zensah: Compression sleeves

Race morning started really early. I was up just a little after 4:30 am. I figured that parking would be a cluster so I left Adrienne's apartment a little after 5 am. I was cursing the race director as I drove downtown. Who starts a 5K at 6:45am?!

I found parking easier than I had anticipated and sat in my car until it was time to warm up. I did a very slow warm up. My legs felt like bricks! Running 19 miles two days before will do that to you. After I ran around I went back to my car and used my massage stick on my right calf since it was still feeling pretty tight. I stretched out and then grabbed my bag to take to gear check. I waited until the last minute to turn my bag in because it was cold outside. Really cold. I finally turned it in 10 minutes before the race started and then jogged the 1/2 mile up to the start to get into my corral. I was cursing at myself for not wearing throwaway gloves. My poor hands were so frozen. I was worried I wouldn't be able to start my garmin when the gun went off!

I don't know what to say about the course. It was really hilly, like lots of hills. Within the first 1/4 of a mile we were already going up and then had a super steep down hill followed by a rolling hill that took us into mile 1. After mile 1 it leveled out before another downhill that had a turnaround at the bottom. Of course that meant we had to run back up! I knew going into the turn around that I was in a good position because I could see the women in front of me. I passed 3 women going up the hill. I don't think I could have gotten the energy to do so if it weren't for Zoe shouting out "GO TASHA" as she was running down the hill. It was tough to get to the top, but the good thing was that I was at the half way point. Mile 2 was in the Battery Street Tunnel. The tunnel was way longer than I had anticipated and was hard to find a good portion of the road to run on because the road was slanted. I hate slanted roads! Mile 2 was located in the tunnel. After I looked at my watch I wasn't sure if I would get my PR or not. I knew that I only had a small chance, but was willing to dig deep to see if I could get it. After the tunnel we had another stretch with an incline. I massively slowed down at this point because my poor legs were so thrashed. I knew that I could hold a decent pace to get across the finish, but that I wouldn't PR. With 1/2 mile left I realized that the finish line was on top of a hill by the Space Needle. Who does that?! You don't put a finish line on top of a hill. Not cool!!!!! I passed the 3 mile mark and was dead (See Stacie's photo below for proof). I was so close to the finish line, but yet it seemed so far. I heard someone shouting my name at the finish, but I wasn't sure who it was. Once I crossed and looked at my watch I was so mad at myself. If I would have ran 58 seconds faster I would have PR'd. I grabbed a water and then saw Stacie who had been cheering for me at the finish. I was so excited to see her! She told me that when she pink coming up over the hill, that it had to be me.

Thanks for the pictures Stacie!!!! (Yes, I was falling apart in the first photo)

Mile 1- 6:47

Mile 2- 6:51

Mile 3- 6:48

.13         :52

Not a huge fan of chocolate before 7:30 am, but this was a nice treat. I would have liked more than 1 marshmallow and maybe for my hot chocolate to be a bit warmer. 

After my race I did a nice long, slow cool down and cheered on the 15k runners. I met up with Lindsay and then we both headed over to a blogger brunch meet up. It was a lot of fun and I was excited to meet some of my favorite bloggers IRL. Being surrounded by such fabulous and supportive women makes me that much more excited about running. You ladies rock!

Photo hijacked from the fabulous brunch organizer- Andrea!

Left side: Jenny, Andrea, Jon, Becky, Lindsay

Right side: Irwin, Dawn, Robyn, Nicole, ME

side note: Jenny, Becky & Dawn were some of my NuunKOTB teammates from that super fun relay I missed. :(

On my way home I stopped in Ellensburg for gas and a Starbucks "pick me up" when I happened to check the race website to see if results were posted. That is when I saw this:

Really?! 6th OA out of 4027? I was SHOCKED. I still keep looking to see if they made a mistake! LOL. Definitely made my trip to Seattle so worth it! Even Mr. Healthy Diva asked if I really placed that high. No, honey. I obviously made that up. 

Even though I secretly wanted  a PR and I am disappointed I didn't get one, I am still happy with my time. I was less than 1 minute off of my PR on a much hillier course. I also ran this a week after my 1/2 marathon training run in the thick of marathon training. My splits were very consistent, no total bonking at the end. The race was a success and has me excited to run another 5K ASAP (never thought I would be saying that!)

--Tasha