Now here’s a race that Jon would like: the Hot Chocolate Run in Northampton, MA. Instead of a T-shirt, runners get a ceramic mug filled with hot chocolate, marshmallows optional.

It’s a long drive for a 5K, but I’ve run this race several times. It’s a good chance to see some of my friends from NH, CT, and the Pioneer Valley area, and Northampton is a cute town. We usually have brunch after the race and catch up over pancakes. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday morning.

But oh my gosh it was COLD this year. So very cold. And I was way underdressed for standing around outside. The last several years the race has started at the People’s Institute, which has a fair amount of inside space for runners to congregate, or to at least duck in out of the cold for a few minutes, and provided inside bathrooms. But the race has grown a lot since 2004, the first time I ran it, and as such, the packet pickup has moved, portable facilities have been provided, and we froze our asses off waiting for the race to start. The good news was that it was sunny and not too windy, but still, holy crap.

I always have a great time at this race, no matter how I do. This year I knew that my time would suck. I just didn’t know it would suck that much. :)

Maureen and I had planned to run together, and it was her day (she had a huge PR), but as soon as we started running, I knew I would just need to take it easy and try to start warming up during the race. For the first mile and a half, I couldn’t feel my feet or my hands (which were covered by gloves and the ends of my thick hoodie/fleece wind shirt thing, but that didn’t help much). Every step of the way, my stupid hamstring – which has been bothering me all week – was causing me some pain. I figured it was just because I was cold from standing around, but it never stopped hurting, and it still hurts today. Awesome.

Anyway, the course is uphill for the first mile or so, levels out as it loops around, and then the last mile heads back downhill the same way, through downtown. It’s a really nice course, running past the Northampton storefronts, Smith College, and some of the historic homes in the area. The last mile is the best part, because you can haul ass down the hill, which is what I did, as much as my hamstring would allow. Great music at the end, cookies & fruit, and of course there was hot chocolate. Lots of families both running and walking (there’s a 2 mile walk that starts a half hour before the 5K).

Afterward, we went to the brewery and had lunch with a big group of people. I met some new folks and hung out with old friends. Jillie made cupcakes for Jen’s birthday and we sang to her.

Then it was time to leave and Maureen and I drove back to Boston. It had been a long day and I was exhausted but happy.  Maureen was so excited about her PR and I was so proud of her. It really was her day.

I finally made it home at around 4:00 and promptly showered and then slept. It had been a good day for me, too.