Hot Chocolatier!!!

For the past three years, I have participated in the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K race series here in Dallas. Although the race is in February and has been quite chilly every year, I truly enjoy this race! The 15K is a perfect distance to race in my opinion...long enough to be challenging but short enough to not wipe you out for the rest of the weekend. It also has given me something to train for and stay motivated for during the cold, dark winter days when running is a little more difficult to push yourself out the door for. It has served as a bridge from wrapping up my yearly race season at the BMW Dallas events in mid-December and staying somewhat consistent until I really kick up spring training around March. The timing and distance has been a perfect fit each year.

Not only that, I love the Hot Chocolate swag and value! Instead of a shirt as most races provide, the Hot Chocolate series gives each participant a nice, quality warm jacket every year....with thumbholes!! (Super important feature!) The jacket is something I continue to wear over and over and is typically very comfortable for a variety of settings, whether running in cool temps or weekend/travel wear. And of course the post-race snacks of chocolate treats, creamy warm hot chocolate, and melted chocolate are undefeated in my racing world! I also have loved the fact that the Hot Choclate race is always super-organized and flows smoothly from start to finish with adequate aid stations and volunteers. Another huge perk are the FREE race photos that are provided along with your post-race results. I have often felt that I get the most bang for my buck in this race series which is why I haven't hesitated to re-register each year at the first opportunity. I have even organized a team/group for the past two years and gotten as many of my running club and CG friends on board as I can, which makes it even more fun.

Because of my fondness of this event, I jumped on the opportunity to apply when I saw that the Hot Chocolate series was accepting applications for their ambassador program. I knew this was a race I could genuinely put my support behind! Last night I was thrilled to receive a congratulatory email stating that I had been accepted as a #HotChocolatier for the upcoming year! This means that I will receive perks and benefits such as free race entries and swag in exchange for promoting and sharing the event on my social media outlets and participating in some related events such as expos, fun runs, etc. I couldn't be more excited! I'm already looking at all the cities Hot Chocolate runs in and planning which ones I will attend! This distance fits nicely in both half-marathon and marathon training and will be a welcome opportunity to plan some of my favorite activities: runcations! I feel honored that the Hot Chocolate organization trusted me to represent them and I'm looking forward to all the memories and experiences that are ahead!