Overheard at the Chocoholic Frolic

Chocolate Swag

Mmmm Chocolate

Last Sunday I ran the Chocoholic Frolic 10K, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  While I don't think we got quite as much chocolate as we were promised, it was a fun race with some nice swag.  Pictured at left is what I received at packet pickup.  After the race, instead of finisher's medals we got candy bars.  And there was a chocolate fountain, with bananas, cookies & pretzels for dipping.  Yum!

A New PR!

Although I have run this distance many times in training, this was the first time I've raced an official 10K, so it was an automatic PR.  But I also consider it a real PR.  My 5K PR is 34:38, and twice that is 1:09:16.  I ran this race in 1:08:45!  I didn't hear THE VOICE until mile 5, when it tried to tell me I had done just fine & it was okay to slow down a little now.  Whatever, voice!  So I sped up, & my splits show that last mile was my fastest.

Race Course

I'd never run a race at the Fairgrounds before.  I like it as a place to run.  No traffic or trains to worry about, and the course has a lot of twists & turns.  I like that better than a plain loop or a straight out & back.  Most of the course was paved, but part of it was run on the dirt track.  It was really hot, though.  The race started at 10, and while the forecast said 67 & cloudy, it was mid-70's & full sun, and there's not much shade on the course.  The race definitely could've used another water station or two.  There was only 1, although we passed it twice: at mile 1.25 and again at mile 4.  I had expected there would also be water when we came back by the start/finish line to head out on the 2nd lap, but there wasn't.

Eavesdropping

I have one of the iPhone 5s that's affected by the battery recall, and I wasn't able to get it replaced before the race, and I woke up Sunday morning to discover my phone hadn't charged & was completely dead.  I was a little worried about running that far without music, since there was not entertainment along the course.  I needn't have worried though.  I entertained myself by eavesdropping.  Lots of people were running or run/walking this race with friends, so I listened in on bits of conversations as I passed or was passed by groups: 

Shannon doesn't have parties very often, but every year she has a huge Halloween party.

How did you lose all that weight so fast?  A really crazy diet.

(to a spectator with a cowbell)  We really are running some, you just catch us on a walk break every time you see us.

I haven't trained for this, but my mom is in her 40's and she can run 3 miles, so I know I can run 6.

Kind of fun listening in like that.  I really wonder how that last girl did; and while I couldn't tell by her tone, I hope she's proud of her mom too.

Winning Packet Pickup Selfie

Contest Winner!

One of the sponsors of the race was Athleta.  They had a booth at packet pickup Saturday, and their sign said to tweet a picture from there & tag them for a chance to win a gift card.  So I did, and I won a $50 gift card!  Wow!  Surprisingly when I went to pick it up on Sunday, the lady told me I was the only one who tweeted an entry.  I don't know why no one else entered, but I sure am glad I did.  This is actually the third contest/giveaway I've entered in the past month, and I have won prizes in all three.  Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket before my luck runs out? 

Up Next

This weekend, as part of the Great Indy Cleanup, I will be volunteering in the 10 East Biz District.  On October 11 I will be running the Great Pumpkin Run in Trafalgar with some of the Fast Bottom Girls.  We are dressing as Colts Cheerleaders.  It should be a lot of fun!  The following day I will be volunteering at the Walk to End Alzheimer's in conjunction with Tar Heel Service Day.

Santa Hustle Race Discount!

If you'd like to run the Santa Hustle 5K or Half Marathon in Indianapolis on 12/21, go HERE to register and use discount code TERHAZELIN to save $5!  Share with your friends too!