11/20/22 Scott Orlando Hot Chocolate 15K Columbus, Ohio

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11/20/22

Hot Chocolate 15K

Columbus, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Finish Time:  1:12:44

Overall Place: 87th Place / 1,007

Division Place:  4th Place / 48

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

This was my 2nd year in a row running the Hot Chocolate 15K in Columbus, Ohio.  Last year the race day weather was miserable with temperatures in the 30’s, strong winds, and relentless rain.  This year’s weather was a different kind of miserable with extremely cold temperatures, steady winds of 15 MPH and wind gusts at over 30 MPH.  The wind chill had it feeling like 5 degrees at race time.  Over 5,100 runners and walkers hit the streets of downtown Columbus to take on the 5K, 10K, and 15K courses.  The 5K was by far the most popular distance with over 3,400 participants.  The 10K was a new distance added this year that included 700 participants.  The 15K race field featured over 1,00 brave runners.

My race started with a decent first few miles as the excitement of such a large race boosted my energy levels.  After the field started to spread out a bit I quickly started feeling the effects of the extreme cold and strong winds.  My goal was to settle in at a pace around 7:40 per mile which is what I averaged last year.   As each mile went on I found myself gradually slowing a few seconds and losing ground.  I actually felt fine but I think the gusting winds and extreme cold was taking its toll on my running efficiency.

I know one of the golden rules of racing is not to try anything new during a race, but I did something out of necessity that I have never done before at a race.  For the pre race walk from my hotel to the start I placed emergency hand warmers in my gloves.   I had planned to remove them just before the start of the race, but it was so cold I kept them in my gloves during the race.  Each one was small enough that they added little weight or bulk.  They really worked well and I think gave me a false sense of overall body warmth that kept my mind from focusing on the cold.

The wind was probably a bigger factor in slowing me down and making running conditions tough than the actual cold.  At times was actually blown sideways from wind gusts if that gives you any indication how strong they really were.  It was so cold that the fluid at the hydration stops was freezing.  To reduce the fluids from completely freezing aid station workers filled each cup completely.  The top of the cups of fluid were iced up but the fluid under the ice was not.  Several aid stations on the course featured “Sweet Stops” compete with M & M’s, Swedish Fish, chocolate, marshmallows, and hot chocolate.  The race is known well for these delicious little treats along the course.

Knowing I was off my pace and wanting to get back on the age group podium like last year I tried to increase my speed the last mile.  This plan didn’t work all that well as this part of the course saw some of the strongest wind gusts.  Here the 15K course merged back with the 5K and 10K course so everyone could finish at the same location.  As I dug deep and tried to kick hard the last mile I found myself in a sea of walkers from the 5K that were spread out all over the road.  There was little pavement to operate and I ended up losing time weaving between them.  In the end I finished a little over a minute slower than last year and just off the podium in 4th pace in my division with a time of 1:12:44.  The top 3 in my division all finished with times faster than my finish time from last year so based on that I am happy with my efforts.  The 2nd and 3rd place finish times were certainly within my grasps being just a minute behind so that will give me motivation to do better next year.

Post race was short lived for me because of the extreme cold.  I quickly got to the gear check and changed into warm dry clothes, took a few pictures, received my bowl of chocolate goodies with hot chocolate, and headed back to my hotel for a long hot shower.

This race is offered in several cities around the country each year and seems to really provide a great experience and value to runners.  The expo is filled with free chocolate snacks, vendors, and picture opportunities.  The swag is always amazing.  I actually registered with a promo code for bonus swag which included a cooler bag, magnet, hot chocolate, chocolate bar, and running hat.  Everything was very well organized.  This year they added a swag swap booth which was much needed last year.  They also utilize Enmotive race timing which provided instant results and pictures.

If you are looking for an amazing race experience and like chocolate this might be the event for you!

11/6/2022 Kevin Christensen TCS New York City Marathon New York, New York

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11/6/2022

TCS New York City Marathon

New York, New York

Kevin Christensen

Finish Time:  5:17:46

Overall Place:  33,646th Place / 47,743

Division Place:  760th Place / 1,307

Race Recap By Kevin Christensen:

The extreme heat took a toll on me. It was the hottest NYC Marathon since they moved the race to November in 1986. The lead elite actually “crashed” due to heat exhaustion so I don’t feel bad after slowing my pace after mile 16. Two of the later water stops ran out of cups.  One poured water in your hands to drink from the other gave out liter cartons of Flow brand water.

10/30/2022 Nancy Wardell and Christine Churpek The Haunted Forest Marathon and Half Marathon Canal Fulton, Ohio

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10/30/2022

The Haunted Forest Marathon, Half Marathon, And 5K

Canal Fulton, Ohio

Marathon

Nancy Wardell

Finish Time:  4:59:50

Overall Place:  126th Place / 185

Division Place:  9th Place / 14

Half Marathon

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  1:48:20

Overall Place:  83rd Place / 552

Division Place:  5th Place / 53

Race Recap By Nancy Wardell:

I completed the 26.BOO Haunted Forest Marathon in Canal Fulton today and I’m very happy.  This was my first full marathon!  I accomplished my goal by finishing just a pinch under 5 hours!  My time was 4:59:50 and I placed 9th of 14 in my age group!  I can’t be more thankful for all the support from my mom being there from PA, my best friend, and a sneak attack cheerleader Ms. Cleopatra Sirnic!!  It was a successful day and even with my love of running I’m looking forward to a good nights rest!  Thanks ever for your support!

10/22/2022 Scott Orlando Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K Akron, Ohio

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10/22/2022

Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K

Akron, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Finish Time 22:03

Overall Place:  36th Place / 2294

Division Place:  2nd Place / 72

Race Recap by Scott Orlando

This was my fist time competing in the Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K.  This race is offered each fall in several cities around the country.   Prior to the race they announced that the Akron race was the largest race field of the year so far with almost 2.300 runners and walkers participating.  The weather was very nice for a fall race with temperatures at start time in the 50’s with some fairly strong winds.  All participants were given fun orange tech hoodies that looked like pumpkin faces.  Most of the race field actually wore their participation shirts so there was orange as far as the eye could see on the course.  I missed the memo about wearing the shirt to race in so I stuck with my Team ER gear.  The course was fairly fast and runner friendly.  The start and first mile had runners on the road racing down the heart of Main Street.  I got off to a slower start then I would have liked.  There was a very strong headwind that made the first mile tough.  A quick right turn and then runners made their way to the towpath trail along the canal.  I enjoyed this part of the course.  The wind was not as much of a factor in the second and third mile.  The fall trees and canal made for nice scenery.  I was hoping to increase my pace but some recent lower back pain was causing my glutes to be extremely tight and it prevented me from running much faster then what I was.   I saw a runner just ahead of me that looked to be in my age division.  I hade hoped to be able to catch him but my glutes were just too tight to generate any power.  He finished just ahead of me and won my age division.  I finished 36th overall and 2nd in my age division with a time of 22:03.   Many runners participated in the Tough Pumpkin division which  required you to carry a pumpkin for the entire race in order to earn an additional medal.  All participants received custom medals at the finish line.  The finisher celebration included each runner taking home a pumpkin and a small cup of cider.   There was a merchandise tent with some nice stuff.  I thought of purchasing a sweatshirt , but by the end of the race they had sold out of most sizes.  They do have an online store with additional inventory.  This race was very well organized.  It was great to see such a huge race field.  I would like to see them offer more at the finisher celebration and offer awards for overall winners and age group winners.  This was a great event for families, walkers, and people looking for a less competitive race.