Tag Archives: hot chocolate 15k/5k

Bringing a Taste of Philadelphia Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k to New Jersey

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Disclaimer: I received free entry to the virtual Philadelphia Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

March 12th, 2020 is a day that I, along with many others, won’t forget.

It was the beginning of a “shut down” that lasted way longer than the predicted two weeks. It was the last day my kids saw the inside of their schools for the rest of the school year.

And it was the day I found out that the in-person 2020 Philadelphia Allstate Hot Chocolate race was canceled and changed to a virtual event.

Back in pre-COVID times – April 2019 – BibRave Pros Ken, Ryan, Joe, and myself

I absolutely LOVE the Philadelphia Hot Chocolate race and have been a repeat customer since 2017. While I was sad about the race cancelation, I also realize now just how grateful I am that it happened. The race directors made a tough decision and the very start of the pandemic and it was a smart one.

If nothing else, 2020 has taught me the importance of being flexible and focusing on what is POSSIBLE.

Which is why I am looking forward to running my own version of the 2021 Philly Hot Chocolate 15k virtually. An in-person race is not in the cards for the Philadelphia location of the Hot Chocolate 5k/15k for the upcoming year, but there’s plenty of opportunities to be a part of the community from a distance.

Everyone knows the swag for the Allstate Hot Chocolate 15k/5k races is unparalleled! In fact, it recently won best medal/swag and top virtual experience in The BibRave 100. You won’t miss out on any of the swag while doing the virtual event – all of this is sent directly to you!

Hot Chocolate packets and chocolate candies

The zip up hoodies are so soft and warm!

2021 medal – locket style with a piece of chocolate inside for both race distances

Also convenient when running virtually is the ability to participate at any time. After you finish the distance, you can upload your results on your EnMotive account.

Plus, if you sign up and use the code BRHC20 during your registration, you’ll receive a free Hot Chocolate running hat! Click here to register.

By signing up for virtual runs, I’m ensuring that I remain consistent with training. Is it the same as an in-person race? No, but it’s the next best thing while we wait for life to get back to “normal”.

Crossing the finish line with Ana in 2018.

I plan to check in over the upcoming months while I train and share some favorite memories from past experiences at the Philly Hot Chocolate 5k/15k. I know that when I’m finally about to cross that finish line in the future, it will be that much sweeter!

Allstate Hot Chocolate Philadelphia Cancellation

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Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Allstate Hot Chocolate 5k race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

If there’s one thing you should know about me, I’m a Type A personality. Schedules and unwavering plans are what I thrive on. Actually, in a community of runners, I think you’ll find that to be true about many of us. We HAVE to be that way if we want to train well and excel during a race.

But life throws you for a loop sometimes and that’s exactly what’s happening now with the COVID-19 virus. Before I get too much further into this post, let me state for the record that I absolutely understand the reasoning and logic behind canceling events. I’m always one to err on the side of caution. Making decisions like these are not easy and I feel for the race directors who need to make the call.

That said, yesterday was a rough day.

In the span of a couple of hours yesterday I got the news that two of the races I’ve been training for have been cancelled: the Yuengling Shamrock 1/2 Marathon (the plan was to PR at that one) and the Allstate Hot Chocolate 5k in Philadelphia.

I requested cake and wine for dinner and my husband did not disappoint.

Am I bummed? Yeah, I absolutely am.

But I’m also trying really, really hard to look on the bright side of things. I think what I appreciate most about these races is that even though they can’t happen the way that we intended them to, they’re doing their darnest to make things as right as they can for the runners.

The Allstate Hot Chocolate Race Series recently announced a virtual option for their races. With things currently the way they are, they’ve switched the entirety of the Philadelphia race to being virtual.

I’m no stranger to virtual events, having just wrapped up the virtual 465 Challenge!

I love that the Hot Chocolate Race Series will be mailing out all of the goodies to our homes, especially because their swag is always the best. I still plan on getting outside on April 4th and running my 5k. There’s a perfect spot near the river here in New Jersey and as long as it’s safe for me to do so, that’s where I plan to be.

I’ll just have to wait to see these guys next year in Philly!

If you want to join in virtually, here’s the link to register. Be smart and be safe!

Holiday Traditions (Running and otherwise)

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What I like best about the holidays are the traditions that come along with them. This year, as I’ve done for the past few, I joined in The Light Run.

Although it nearly did not happen.

My son, Lucas, and I registered for this way back at the beginning of October. At only $14 (and the request for unwrapped toys), this untimed fun run is great and supports local charities.

That said, I think both Lucas and myself were feeling a little overwhelmed with all the stuff we’ve got going on. He had a few tests in school coming up, a band concert to rehearse for, and he was voicing his concern about getting it all done. (He is his mother’s son, for sure.)

Rather than getting stressed about it, I asked him what he would like to do. Between you and I, I wasn’t really feeling it but I also didn’t want to SAY that to him. This is a good hobby that we both share so if he wanted to run, we’d run.

A few years ago it was bitter cold and there was a 5k route and a 1-ish mile route. That year we ran the shorter route. He asked if we could recreate that this year and of course, I was happy to oblige. Since it was a fun run, there was no added pressure about what we did or did not accomplish.

While the rest of the runners went off straight at the beginning to do the first larger loop, we peeled off on our own journey. We were completely solo but thankfully we’d printed out directions and there were signs along the way to mark where we needed to turn.

Soon enough we came to the main event, the Hagerty Lights display. Lucas loves it, I love it, and naturally Santa and Mrs. Claus love it too. Santa asked Lucas what he wanted and when he told him he was asking for a weight set, Santa actually took some time to talk to him about weight lifting and making sure he makes smart choices. It was very sweet.

Notice how I say that everything is our favorite? Um, yes. We just love to love and it’s easy at to do at this lavish display.

You can tell how much hard work and effort this family and their neighbors put into hosting this free show each year. They have an area set up for donations so I made sure to bring money (and a little extra, because I’ve forgotten during past years!).

Once we finish our quick jaunt through the streets of Pitman, Lucas and I both agreed that we were really happy we decided to do it. No regrets!

Creating new traditions is always fun too. I’m currently doing the “no rain dance” because tomorrow I’m volunteering at the Elf ‘n Coca Run representing Healthy Kids Running Series. I’ll be handing out medals at the finish line of the kids mile race and I am very excited for that!

Tomorrow evening we are going on a train ride through a light show with my extended family. This is a new to us activity as well but I’ve heard good things so we’ll see what it’s all about.

And next weekend (right before Christmas, omg), Rachel is coming back for round two of baking with the Daniels! Will my cookie design reign supreme over all the land? We shall see!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdEMxnBlwbz/

What are your favorite holiday traditions?

I Know What I’m Doing April 6, 2019… Do You?

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Disclaimer: I received free entry to the Hot Chocolate Philadelphia 5k race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews! As always, all opinions are my own.

What time is it? It’s Hot Chocolate time! Okay, no. It’s not. But it IS time to start planning for 2019 and I’ve got my first race on the calendar for next year. You know I love planning.

So yes, come April 6th 2019 (that feels weird to type, by the way), I’ll be running the Allstate Hot Chocolate 5k again. This year’s race marked Ana’s first ever 5k and I’m 99.9% sure I have her convinced to join me again.

The swag alone is worth it! Check out the jackets for the 2018-2019 series.

And of course, every runner gets these oversized mugs filled to the brim with goodies. YUM!

If you run the 15k, you also get a medal! There’s no medal for the 5k but if you find me, we can run up the steps to the Philly Art Museum together, which is a prize in itself.

Convinced? Register here AND if you use the code BRHCPhilly when you register you’ll receive awesome EXTRA swag, the Hot Chocolate Armband for your phone/tunes.

Who’s done a Hot Chocolate Run before? I want to hear about it!