Google defines fomo as, anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website. I having raging race fomo.
So when Jennifer, a member of my online running group Run the Year, knowing I lived in Seattle asked if I was running the Hot Chocolate 15k, I registered before responding to her.
Members of the Run the Year online running group from as far away as Phoenix, sharing some team spirit before the 15k.
For the uninitiated, the Hot Chocolate series is a thing. Held in 25 cities in the U.S. and Canada, the race is known for the swag and the sweets: there are a lot of both. As a result, it draws a lot of runners — more than 10,000 in Seattle between the 5k and 15k, with proceeds going to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities. (Check out my live start line video).
4500 runners, ready at the 15k start corrals. Another 6,000 ran the 5k.
The Space Needle marked both the starting and the ending beacon for 15k and 5k racers.
For what is the epitome of a “fun run,” I was a little surprised by the course, which seemed to hit all the hilliest parts of Seattle inside of 9 miles. While I opted not to partake in the strawberry and chocolate marshmallow stops to get me through, I did happily stop for a mouth full of M&Ms around mile 6.5. Because, as I understand it, that’s what you’re supposed to do at Hot Chocolate races.
With a mile left in my race, those in the latter corrals are working hard, with more than 5 miles (and 4 significant climbs) between them and their hot chocolate.
While the sun was out for my race, it was still only in the mid-40s, making it a perfect day for hot chocolate when the race was over.
The coveted Hot Chocolate finisher’s mug. Sure, you can see the healthy banana, but there’s fudgy dipping sauce in there that you can’t see.
I think my first Hot Chocolate was a success! I got to meet some amazing women from my online running group; I completed race #13 for the year; and I got to each chocolate disguised as “race fuel.” It doesn’t get much better than that!
The one thing at the Hot Chocolate race that I couldn’t eat. But I tried.