Woke to rain, finished in rain.

Hitched a ride to the University of Illinois, my Saturday morning marathon Start.  Cold drizzle; car camped 15 minutes from gun time.  Glad yesterday was ‘Land of Lincoln’ tourist day, ‘cause today’s forecast: 100% rain.  Grey day.

2 light runs earlier in the week – only non-swim or bike exercise since St. Louis.  Concerned ‘bout the knee of course but not about the distance.  Despite the rain, mentally in a good place.  picture in my head – Bib #50 – Maniac friend Stacy picked up my Sunday marathon garb in Fort Collins & iPhoned an image.  It all suddenly got real.  Run, walk, crawl…whatever it takes, gonna finish state #49 today – 50 State finale lined up tomorrow morning.  I’ve run a double before.  I can do this.  Today, Champaign-Urbana.

except for a 4-loop Canal run in DC last November, this course would my 50 State flattest – only 85ft elevation change.  I’d be hard-pressed to post news ‘bout any hills this day 🙂

illinoismarathon.com: “…run through crowd-filled neighborhoods and tree-lined parks, and finish on the 50-yard line of historic Memorial Stadium.”

Yep, that’s what happened.

Hung with the 4:30 pace group most day.  No pain ‘til mile 20.  Left knee stiffened, IT band.  Hydrated at mile 21, walked a tenth-mile, dropped my pace to an easy jog.  Not winning any awards today – double marathon weekend, another 26.2 tomorrow.  Slow & steady.

Stadium finish – LOVE all stadium finishes – Fargo Dome [in North Dakota] still my fave, but today also mighty memorable.

CHRISTIE CLINIC ILLINOIS MARATHON Results

K R HAGA  LOUISVILLE/CO   1142             4:45:14

Post-marathon shower at U of I’s gym ($5 well spent), located Stephen, then autobahn’d north to Chicago.  Heavy shower/downpour now – thankful I didn’t have to drive, even more thankful I had already finished today’s run 🙂

Chicago airport security, an hour half sentence managed by TSA rejects.  Slowest, laziness, most inefficient location in our nation.  Don’t argue you’re short-handed.  Tens of employees walking around sharing weekend plans with co-workers.  FOCUS!  Small talk doesn’t keep us safe from terrorists.  Lives depend on you doing your job — every day.  Yep, every day.  Ask me how I really feel.  ARGH!

Touchdown in Denver just after 9.  2:30am’s gonna come early.  Sharing a ride with Stacy at 3, catching a bus at 430.

50 State excitement is starting to build!