Running Journey: Hot Chocolate 10K February 2026

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A big day on my running journey was Saturday, February 7, 2026. My youngest daughter bought us tickets for my birthday back in November. She didn't just buy one for me but bought herself one because she wanted to do something WITH me. That was the true gift, time with my grown daughter. We had planned to "train" from December to the race, but we didn't. She works full time in food service on top of working with me four mornings a week. I had all sorts of excuses, mostly just not feeling like it. I have a high stress job and by the end of the workday I'm just done. I also wanted to run outside instead of the little treadmill I bought so I COULD run inside when it got dark too quickly or it was too cold. I let those things stop me from doing what I knew I wanted to do and needed to do.  That didn't stop me from getting out there and doing my best. 

I started getting really excited after I picked up our race packets on that Thursday night. Friday, I gathered all the things I'd need for an early Saturday morning race. I got us both some long sleeve shirts when I picked up the packets so we could wear them during the race and after because they are so comfortable. I did my best to set an early bedtime but I'm terrible at that. I went to bed around midnight and got up at 5:30 so I could get dressed and have some time to do my Bible Recap before my daughter arrived. 

We got to Fair Park by 7:30 and had some time to walk across the parking lot and grab a few pics before the race started. We weren't sure of the plan, but I had downloaded three of the audio runs from my MADE4 app that I use frequently on my runs. My plan was to use those to make running the 6.2 miles as easy as it is to run the shorter distances. The run audios always make it pass so quickly and I feel so good afterwards. She told me she didn't want to run by herself, so I decided to stick with her. She was listening to her favorite TV show on her phone while I was listening to the runs. I started telling her what I was going to do for each interval, not to make her do it, but so she would know. She decided to run with me when I ran and walk when I walked. 

The miles passed so quickly. Each mile marker on our app took us by surprise. That spurred us on and we put more effort into the running intervals. She even made a short video at mile five to send in our family text showing that we had made it that far and were so close to finishing the race. We walked maybe a fourth of the time, but we ran the rest. It could have been a bit more or less, I'm not really sure. I just know we did a great job and finished strong. We ran through the finish line and got our medal.

They had the Finisher's Cup waiting to be picked up. The first thing we wanted was that banana. It tasted so good. We both agreed they could have had most of the things in the cup in exchange for another banana. We ate the banana and pretzels dipped in the chocolate. We found a place to sit down to enjoy our treat before walking back to the car. The walk to the car seemed to take forever, maybe if we were walking much slower than before. My feet were feeling a bit of pain but not as badly as they have in the past for a really long run. 

The drive back to Arlington was filled with talk of the race. We picked up my husband and took our daughter to our favorite burger place for our first real meal of the day. It was fun to sit and talk for a bit while we enjoyed our food. I went home after and did my best to lay down and talk a nap before having to get up. I slept a little bit not a deep sleep. I normally can't even sleep that much after a race. I get so keyed up that it stays with me. 

I really loved the time together with my daughter doing something that is fun and good for us. This race has so much meaning for me because it was my very first race 13 years ago. I did the 5K. I've done two 5K's, one 15K and now one 10K. I'm not sure if we will do the 10K again next year or do the 15K. We just need to decide now so we can buy the early bird tickets cheaper. I'd love to do the 15K just because I feel it is a big accomplishment. My feet want me to pick the 10K. I'll do whatever she decides. 

The weather is getting nice and the days are growing longer. That means I can get more runs outside where I can get some sunshine and get out of the house for a bit. My goal is to get out there two or three times a week. 

Thanks for joining me for the race update. I'm going to be putting some "look back" posts for some other runs soon, just so I have them all in one place. I love to look back at all the fun I've had doing the races. 

​As always, 

~A Simple Texas Girl living life on the Jesus Way!