This morning was my wife's first race and we chose the Hot Chocolate 5K on the Chicago lakefront. After this experience, I am excited to attend more Running Away Multisport (RAM) events - it was completely professional start to finish.

Yesterday we picked up our race packets, kind of a skimpy expo for the location, but interesting and the kids got lots of candy, it being Halloween. Quality swag in the goodie bag made us very happy - running jacket and fleece running cap. No lines, friendly people, easy parking, everything a packet pickup shoud be.

This morning dawned very cold, but warmed up as the day went on. Exactly at 8:00, the 5K started and we enjoyed a winding course along the lakefront trail near Montrose Harbor. There were so many people in the race that there was never a gap of more than several feet, so it was somewhat difficult to stay together at times, but we persevered. My wife toughed it out and never stopped - this just several months after surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Way to go!

After the race, we headed for the food tent, picked up our tray that included a banana, marshmallow, graham cracker, pretzel, and chocolate fondue, and then moseyed over to the Nike+ tent, to collect our prizes for participating in the Nike+ Challenge (a $25 Nike ID giftcard for me and a running hat with ponytail slot for her, both luck of the draw). My Sportband worked like a charm. Thanks Nike+ for the generous prizes! Last but not least, we grabbed our hot chocolate for the walk to the train - TERRIBLE! No joke, practically undrinkable.

The terrible hot chocolate notwithstanding, this was a GREAT event, and I'm already thinking about next summer, when I'm sure to attend another RAM event. Bigfoot Triathlon? Bangs Lake Multisport Fest? Maybe both.