Christie Clinic Illinois Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Felt great the first 5 miles. Took my first energy gel and mile 6 with gatorade for max absorption. Gel really didn't kick in until mile 7, then felt good again. Took another gel at mile 8 with water. Seemed to feel good until mile 10. Took another gel at mile 10. Started to feel a bit bloated at mile 10.5 and wasn't able to take water. Started to get cramps in both calves at mile 11.5. Battled calf cramps the rest of the race. Started to have temperature issues around mile 12.

Would probably hold off on taking so many energy gels throught race. I think gels made me feel full and bloated so i wasn't able to take on sufficient water late in race which led to cramps, dehydration, and overheating during last mile.

Stretching in end zone of U of I Memorial Stadium with Half Marathon finisher medal and I-challenge medal around my neck!


Cramps in calves during last 2.5 miles


Only my 2nd Half Marathon so I think I made some bad decisions late in the race in regards to too much energy gel use. Will not make this mistake again. Overall race went pretty well. Was able to finish 2 minutes faster than my first Half which I ran 5 weeks prior.
Course itself was good. Mostly flat. Lots of water and gatorade stops. Lots of fans and volunteers cheering you on. Definetly a race I would do again next year. Not sure if I will opt to run 5K the night before though and go for I-challenge again. I do feel that my legs were a bit fatigued from running 5K the night before the Half.