Lakefront Marathon - Milwaukee Wisconsin

PreRace: Went fairly lax on training since IMWI - Only one 13 mile run in the weeks leading up to the race - nothing longer. And probably an a trip or two more than I should have to Panera for a breakfast treat!

Day before: Spent building a stable in the barn. Digging post holes, hauling concrete, framing the stable etc. Basically not much of a rest day.

Race day: Got up around 3:30 got all the pre-race preparation done. Headed out to race site by 5:00. Got to the finish line around 6:00.
Boarded the buses to the start line.
This is a point to point race. The bus ride always seems long especially when think that you have to run all the way back :)

Just settled in and waited for the start. Lots of warnings regarding the heat. We weren't quite as hot as Chicago but close. They made arrangements to keep the course open later and encouraged people to go at a slower pace. They kept pounding home that it will be hot and to hydrate.

This race has 2500 runners.

I planned on just running however I felt. The race started and it was a nice smooth start. Lots of spectators.
The first 1/2 of the race I felt really good. I was a pretty much right on my target time - actually about five minutes ahead. Then my legs started to tighten up. I had some Enduralytes with me, but not enough. There were quite a few people having some real issues with the heat. Lots of ambulances moving around. My pace dropped off off a bit - was eating into my 5 minute cushion. I did okay until mile 20. Then the legs really seized up. I did an ugly run/walk through mile 24. I did try and speed walk and not the IM-shuffle.
At that point I started to feel the pull to the finish and ran hard to the line. I ended up finishing about 13 minutes slower than I hoped for - had a 10:07 pace.