Started off well. As usual, did not feel I was going fast. Was surpised to find myself out at 9:00 pace. Held that for the first three miles then strated backing off as the heat was already starting to take its toll. Made sure I got water and Gatorade at each station. Still felt strong after the first 2 hills (approx 5.5 and 7.5 miles in). Still keeping a good pace when I reached the long uphill at mile 9.5. Made it and walked the water station at the top of the hill. Saw my wife and told her I was feeling OK. Then Machelle's hill got me. Wow, you go downhill a bit then uphill through a subdivision. Doesn't look like much but it just zapped me and quite a few others. Got to the top and walked a bit to catch my breath. After that, just hung on. Official time was 2:05:44 but my Garmin had me at 2:05:20 as it took about 25 seconds to get to the start line in the crowd (no chip timing).

Train for the heat? Impossible in this funky Illinois weather. 2 weeks ago, I did a 12 mile run in 25 degree weather with wind and several inches of snow. I also would have ran parts of the course, more to get a mental image of what was in store.

Grab a bottle of water and walked it out. Found my wife and recapped the run. Put on my compression socks and went and found the soft pretzels. Felt pretty good considering. Met some folks afterwards at a bar for a couple of beers. Found a nice quarter size blister on my right foot.


The heat. Was prepared for the hills.


This is a popular local race with many good runners. Although there was plenty of water, I should have carried some on my own. The stations were 2 miles apart and with the heat, I needed more.