Nashville Hot Chocolate 2020 15K Race Recap

Last weekend I ran my first ever 15k! At this point in my running career, it’s rare for me to find a race distance I haven’t run, so I was excited to try my hand at the 9.32-mile distance. Full disclosure, I chose the race not because of the distance, but because of the fact it was all about CHOCOLATE! The Allstate Hot Chocolate 5k/15k is run all over the United States, a few races in Mexico, plus a virtual run. I was lucky enough to have a close option to me in Nashville, Tennessee. Here’s my Nashville Hot Chocolate 2020 15k race recap, and all the sweet details. 😉

Expo

The expo was held in downtown Nashville the Thursday and Friday before the event. Note that there was also an option for getting your bib mailed to you so you wouldn’t have to attend the expo. I had all the intentions of going to the expo, but life got in the way and I couldn’t make it. Luckily, my husband is amazing and stopped by the expo for me to pick up my packet. He said there were some samples of nutrition, a chance to try on the jacket you receive with your packet, plus chocolate! (Don’t worry, I had him bring some of the chocolate home for me =D).

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Pre-Race

The race started at 7 am, so we had an EARLY morning start. We arrived at Bicentennial Mall State Park an hour early. This was much earlier than we really needed to be there, but we did get prime parking at the Nashville Farmers Market parking lot next to the start line. We walked around a bit, used the port-a-potties (which there were plenty of), and then hibernated and de-frosted in the car since it was 18 degrees F out.

I headed to my corral at 6:30 am and waited for the start. I was issued the “A” corral which was noted on my bib. If you want a faster corral, you will be asked to submit proof of time during registration. Both the 5k and 15k races started together and were co-mingled in the corrals.

My corral also had pacers, which I thought was an awesome feature. I chatted with the 8:30 pacer a bit (who was super nice) and talked about how to pace a 15k. I had no real expectations going in, it was more about the experience for me (and maybe the chocolate…). I figured I would hang with that pace group and pass them up if I felt good.

Race

Start

Once the race started, I was SO READY to move! My feet and hands were completely numb and frozen (it had only warmed up to about 22 degrees F by this point). My main goal was to get my blood pumping and circulating again! The first two miles were through downtown Nashville with some great city views. Having the 5k folks running with us at the beginning added energy to those early miles.

The 5k split off at mile two, and the 15k’ers continued west out of downtown. We ran up Church Street and passed a Krispy Kreme at one point. Nothing had ever smelled so good! Luckily, I knew I had plenty of treats waiting for me at the finish.

Middle

The middle and end of the race were an out and back. This was tough mentally. It’s hard to see the 8-mile marker while you are still at mile 3. The hardest parts of the race were the two tight turns between miles 5 and 6. Each turn was a downhill run to a turn, then a run back up the hill. It wasn’t super fun to do those turnarounds, but everyone seemed to be in good spirits as we all slugged through the hills and turns together.

End

The final miles of the race were back east into downtown Nashville. The last mile had a lot of downhill, so the finish was fast and felt fantastic! It was fun to see the run/walkers finish their 5k as I sped to the finish line! The two distances had separate lanes at the finish, which made a clear shot for a fast close. I sped into the finish area with spectators cheering, and crossed the line feeling strong!

My only issue with the race was really my own fault. It was so cold out at the start of the race that I didn’t stop for water or nutrition. By the time I realized I needed some electrolytes, there was only water available. I faded pretty hard around mile 6 and didn’t get any Gatorade until mile 8. Just keep in mind to hydrate and take nutrition if you need to! I wasn’t sure how to do my nutrition for a 15k, but I really needed a little something between my 4 am breakfast and the race! Luckily, I had ample opportunities to replenish after the race.    

Post-Race

After crossing the finish line, my husband met me at the end of the chute. We walked through the park which had plenty of photo-ops, a merchandise booth, bag-check, and snacks. We got my “mug” of chocolate-related treats and hot chocolate. Hot chocolate after a race is SO FREAKING GOOD! That was my favorite part of the treats, but we also enjoyed the chocolate dip with various goodies to try with it. The banana and honey-stinger waffle were both huge hits with us.

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We took photos at all the photo op locations. I enjoyed jumping into the “hot chocolate” ball pit much more than I thought I would. =) When we were waiting in line for the race time photo, some folks from Allstate approached us about giving them some info for a free knitted hat. We took their survey and got a snazzy hat. I wasn’t super into wearing it, but I think my husband enjoyed it.

We checked out the merchandise booth but decided that the jacket I got with my registration was better than anything they were selling. We then headed to our car to go home.

Overall Impression

The Allstate hot Chocolate 5k/15k is a well-organized event for all levels of fitness. I saw walkers, runners, and families with kids enjoying the race. This is a great way to get involved in a race without having to travel very far or pay a huge entry fee. Plus, the swag is unbeatable! The jacket is fashionable and warm, the post-race treats are some of the best I’ve had at a race, and that medal is pretty *sweet*. 😉 Check the race out and see if there are any options to run near you or try the virtual race! Either way, you cannot go wrong with this deliciously delectable race!     

If you enjoyed reading about my Nashville Hot Chocolate 2020 15k Race Recap, be sure to check out all of my past races HERE! I will post any upcoming races there as well. You can also read my most recent Marathon race recap here for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2020!

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