I have three 5k races under my belt, and while I’m extremely proud of completing the race three times, it’s time for redemption. The Hot Chocolate 5k in October: I CAN do better, and this time, I WILL.

Usually I’m uncomfortable putting out bold statements like that, because I understand that this journey to become healthy is a marathon not a sprint. I also know that my mental game still needs much work; I’m prone to “psyching myself out,” pushing myself too hard, and beating myself up.

However, this race takes plazce over a year since my first race. I know how to control my emotions race day and what to expect. Now it’s time to see some real improvement in my 5k performance.

My Past 5k Races

For those new to this blog, let’s take a look at my previous 5k races.

1. Bucktown 5k – Sept 13, 2015 (recap of Bucktown)
   1. Very surprising, I posted my my best time to date at 48:22
   2. I let myself get wrapped up in the moment and went faster than I trained, which led to calf cramps at mile 1.
   3. At the same time, it was the first time I saw my ability to finish strong put into practice.
2. Night Nation Run – April 16, 2016 (recap of Night Nation Run)
   1. It wasn’t timed, so hard to truly tell my performance.
   2. I was mentally a lot more positive than at Bucktown. When I got tired I would walk for a bit then go back at it, I wouldn’t beat myself up (as much).
   3. This event helped get me back into running. However, the fun run aspect didn’t hit my competitive spirit as much as I would like.
3. Chicago Bears 5k – June 25, 2016 (recap of Chicago Bears 5k)
   1. I was the most confident going into this race, yet posted my worst time of 50:50.
      1. I felt I prepared well: running in the morning to adjust sleep schedule, et all.
   2. The heat contributed to the poor performance, everyone I know that ran it had a poor performance. It was by far the WORST I’ve felt coming out of a 5k. I literally limped out of the stadium because my calves were so tight.
   3. I got sick for two weeks, three weeks before the race. So that left me with just one week to get back into shape, which also contributed to my performance.
   4. Not only did I finish strong like the other races, but I even found a second gear of sprinting that I’ve never felt before, which was VERY cool.

To reiterate, I’m incredibly proud of these accomplishments.

A year ago, I questioned whether I could actually complete a 5k. That being said, I’ve ran three 5k races, and I’ve left disappointed in myself three times.

About Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate is one of the more popular (and larger) races in the Chicagoland area. They have both a 5k and a 15k, have one of the better swag bags from what I hear, and you get to drink/eat chocolate when you finish. Sounds like fun overall!

• The race takes place in the fall, which I feel will help since I feel the heat really kicked my butt during the Chicago Bears 5k.
• The same company that organizes Bucktown also organizes Hot Chocolate, they know what they’re doing. It’ll be timed and will be well organized.
• The course runs through downtown Chicago and into Grant Park. That will be a cool and different experience!
• They have pace runners, so hopefully that’ll prevent me from going quicker than my training pace and encountering the calf cramps of every other race.
• I have 3 months to train, so that gives me plenty of time to safely ramp up my new running style and continue doing my PT exercises and stretches. That extra time to recover and strengthen my running form will come in handy.
• According to the Hot Chocolate Website, they’ll have a 12 week training plan including nutrition and more information to geek out over!

I got excited because for the first time ever I didn’t sign up for the slowest possible corral. I know that the slower paces exist because some 15k runners will go at the slower pace but it still made me feel good. Maybe I really have made at least SOME progress in the past year!

Only the 15k racers will get a medal, which I admit will make me a little sad. But do you know what tastes better than a chocolate shaped medal? Victory, that’s what!