2018 was the first year for the Hot Chocolate in Charlotte and I did not run it so I was super excited to run it this year! Charlotte is much more convenient for me!

I managed to convince Elizabeth kind of last minute to run the race and so she and I car pooled down and met up with Kim and John at the race!

We left town at 5 and arrived about 7:15 having made one stop along the way! One thing none of us thought about was parking and paying to park. Next year I will need to remember to bring cash!

The weather was great! Not too cold, not too hot. I wore a Skirt Sports Skirt, long sleeve Nike shirt under my BibRave shirt, Crazy Compression Socks, my Brooks Cascadia and my BibRave Hat! I carried my Nathan handheld and had my Aftershokz Treks Airs too!

I met up with my fellow BibRave Pros which was fun! This was my first time racing with BibRave and while I feel like I know these guys I have only met them online so meeting them off line was a treat!

We then jumped in line for the porta potties and then warmed up a bit with another friend Tami!

Just before the race start we headed down and got into our corals and then we were off!!

The course was great! Very well marked and even better manned than I could recall! I love participating in races that are so well supported. It felt like there was an officer ever 1/4 mile or more. In addition there were other volunteers along the course and lots of families that came out to cheer on the runners! We ran through a couple of neighborhoods, main roads and a short section of greenway so that was fun!

The aid stations were awesome! I didn't stop at all of them but I saw one with Gummy Bears, one with Chocolate and one with Marshmallows (yum)! The stations also had Nuun and Water. I tend to carry Nuun so I go for the water usually!

In my training I have been trying hard to work on my mental toughness. I have been working on sprinting to the end of my training runs when I can see the finishing point. I struggle in races with this. I get a mile away and feel great then as I get closer it's like my brakes go on and I. Can. Not. Move. One. Foot. In. Front. Of. The. Other. UGGGGG. I saw the 400M sign and suddenly felt like I was miles and miles away. Sheesh!! Must do more work on this!!!

I managed to conjure up some strength and push to the finish! I bettered my previous 15k times and completed in 1:39!

I am delighted with my time! (But I know I could have done even better lol)

After the race we got our medals cheered in some other runners and then ventured into First Ward Park to get our Hot Chocolate!!

The park was full of things to see and do!! There was a cute spot to take a pic with your time, lots of fun giveaways including sport beans, All State Beanies, etc. There was a gear store, several fun photo ops and loads and loads of chocolate!

The medals, as always, were the best!!! Who doesn't love a medal shaped like a chocolate bar???

I absolutely love these races!!! I am already looking forward to running again next year!

Hot Chocolate hosts races all across the country!! Check them out and find one near you!! Maybe I will see you there!!

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