Hot Chocolate Run 5k Atlanta - January 2013 - Race !
So four weeks of “training” (ß-
put air quotes there, because any real trainer would laugh and pee their pants
at our training) and preparation went into our first serious 5k. We shopped all the local sporting goods stores
and found what felt like the least bulky cold weather running gear. We were
going into this blind, had no idea what to expect of any of it! I wore cold
weather Nike running pants, a New balance Hoodie, over a sports tank, over TWO
sports bras (yep that’s right, 2… it solved the clapping issue!), Shoes were Asics
Gels, as we learn what works for us we will share, everything matters from the panties (FYI
serious marathon runners typically go without, I am not THAT serious yet!) to
the socks, things rub or hang or hit in the wrong spots will cause chaffing or
blisters and really takes some of the fun out of the whole experience!
Packet pick up day was a couple days prior to the race at
The World Congress Center. (Who knew the place was as big as it is? We unknowingly
parked up front and had to walk through the entire center/Boat show/ Car show
to get to registration. I thought to myself I might have set my expectations a
little too high seeing the walk to packet pick up was kicking my butt, but I
pressed on. The Pickup room was one big
party, we’ll know next year to not leave the kids in the car (with the husband)
and take the family in. Loud music, hot chocolate, games and really fast cue
lines to move the 20,000 participants helped get everyone pumped up! The hoodies ran a little small but they had an
exchange area to switch out for the correct sizes. (Not all races do this) The
Vendor and race merchandise area was great, prices very reasonable. Will take
purses in next year to do shopping prior to race day. They do have the merchandise at the race, but
the lines are crazy, and where to shove your stuff is an issue. We were in and out in no time (minus the 15
minute walk to and from) but could have stayed and partied and pumped up for
the race for a couple hours!
Race day: All bundled up and nervous as a couple cats, we
headed towards downtown Atlanta Turner Field at 6 am. Knowing where you are going is important, you
must account for traffic and parking delays. The parking for the Hot Chocolate
run was all over the place… we actually parked about ½ mile from the race, so
know what to expect and plan ahead, for big races you might have to walk! As
soon as we arrived at the start we went ahead and got in line for the portapotty,
yep at 7 am there was already a long line. They were already out of paper
towels at the sink areas and by race start were out of toilet paper. So since
then I keep Kleenex, a couple paper towels and wet naps in my race bag. Big
races like the HC5k have gear check to leave your backpack/fanny pack at while
you run, not all races do this, again give yourself time for lines to drop and
be prepared to wait after! I prefer to leave my stuff with my
cheerleader/husband, but if you are on your own, gear check is a good thing!
For this race I left the back pack in the car and so I had my minimalist SPIbelt
to hold my ID, inhaler and iphone…. It is perfect for us, not bulky or heavy
and holds the minimum stuff we needed! I have a few necessaries when I race,
mint gum in my mouth (keeps my mouth from being dry and tasting yucky from all
the heavy breathing) gloss/chap stick on my lips, sunglasses (which has already
evolved and I no longer run in my Aviators) and my iphone (pre and post race
pics are a must for us)
Before
The MC/Race announcer began calling corrals to line up…
because of our super slow times we were in the last corral, in the back of
20,000 runners with many blue hairs and other novice runners. Because of the
number of participants each corral started in 7 minute increments. We stood and
nervously waited for what seemed like forever, we trained in rain, sleet and
freezing temps and here we were on the hottest day in January (70 degrees and
muggy) we were as prepared as we were going to be, we looked like we knew what
we were doing, but didn’t have a clue. We stood (and horribly) eyeballed the completion
saying to ourselves which person we
thought we could beat. Then they made the call “On your mark, get set and GO”
and all those blue hairs we eyeballed took off and left us in the dust! Out of
the gate and up the bridge and we were off….as we were starting, corral G, the runners in corral A were already
finishing. There is a comradery in runners
that the first cheers for the last and the last woop and holler for the first. They
all look so athletic, smiling, hardly winded, then cut to me ¼ mile in I’m red
faced and wiping my nose on my sleeve! Elise and I walked hard and fast, we had
no idea the race route and had no idea what to expect, which for beginners
really plays mind tricks on you. When
you start to doubt that you can’t finish, knowing where you are on the route
helps, tremendously! FYI race route maps
on paper and computer screens DON’T look hilly, so driving the course pre race
is a huge help!
I thought it was funny and kind of evil that
the first mile marker was in front of a Waffle House, it was here we saw the
little boy on crutches that was faster than us and we decided to run a little….
We actually ran for a block and then went back to walking…. It seemed every
turn in the race turned to an uphill section of the race, Elise prodded me a
long, encouraged and would ask if I was ready to run a bit… she would always
say “we’ll run to that sign up there”… and I’d try my best, but could not make
it even that short distance. I guess it’s the kindergarten teacher in her, but
she ALWAYS encourages and applauds my smallest accomplishments…. As we
continued to walk and wog the hills of Atlanta, she became a tour guide…”look
over here, the Capital Building” and “oh, how pretty is that” and “I hope, Ryan
enjoys the sights as much as I am” (Her husband was doing the 15K version of
our race) and I am thinking; I’m trying to move air, and not fall down and she’s
talking, smiling and laughing. As we
made the turn and saw the finish line she looked at me and said “I’m not
walking in, do you mind?” and I gasped and choked out a “no go-head” she smiled
and ran on…. I watched her leave me in the dust and tried to catch my breath
and run it in too, which I did or at least I think I did, I honestly can’t
remember anything after Elise left me! The
finishing stretch is covered with hundreds of people cheering you on, how could
you walk it in?…. crossing our first finish line was such an awesome feeling…. Accomplishment
and pride, we did it!
We lined up for our Hot Chocolate (didn’t want it, was too
hot) and our souvenir cups with hot fudge, bananas, pretzels, cookies and more(YUM!),
my skin got all tingly and I had this really weird full body sensation. I now know that it was an adrenaline rush, but
then I thought it was oxygen deprivation or possibly a stroke. Elise and I sat
and enjoyed our goodies, I painted Chocolate on my face as war paint (Mistake –
no paper towels for clean up, duh!) took pictures and just relished in the
moment. The after party was pumping, but
I honestly don’t remember it…. I guess I was experiencing my first Runners
High? Note –
even on warm days after you run and sweat, you will get chilled.(NOW I wish I had
Hot Chocolate) Also if you want to take
your dirty cups home, take a ziplock bag to put them in or be prepared to wait
in another line to get a bag. We moaned and savored our bananas, chocolate
and water, admired my big ole sweat print I left on the asphalt were I sat (I was
in denial of how wide I was because at first glance I said, that’s too big to
be me!) and then proceeded back to the finish line to cheer on her husband… we
were so proud of our 3.1 miles and here comes Ryan and his 9.6 miles to rub our
mediocrity in our faces! (He didn’t really) As I stood there at the finish and
watched all the families with signs and children cheering on their moms, I thought
“what an awesome example I can set for my children” and then crossing the
finish I saw what I assume was 2 sisters, but it could have been friends
finishing the 15K and the one sister reached back and grabbed her sisters hand
and they crossed the finish line together. I teared up. I may not be able to
run more than a minute in a half in one stretch, but I have already come so far
because of my sister, my husband, children’s support, and I can’t wait for
Elise and me to cross the finish hand and hand of our first 10K! I can, I will, I DID!
After (see i'm red and she's all cute and smiley?)
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