The kids, wife, and mother-in-law were heading out to participate in the American Diabetes Association Step Out at Henson Robinson Zoo. The event started at 11:00 and involved walking laps around the zoo raising money to help fight Diabetes. So I thought what a great way to get in a long run on an unfamiliar course. Sounds like fun, right? Right?
I left my house around 10:00 with sunny skies, barely a wind, and temperatures already in the mid 70s. I headed west on Washington St. and over to Washington Park. From the Park I headed down Park St. to Outer Park Dr. I then headed south east and ended up crossing the tracks on North St. and heading south on 4th.
By this time it was getting kind of windy. I forgot how long 4th St. is. On a bike it doesn’t seem that long. It seemed forever getting to the end of 4th with a stiff headwind. I exited Southern View and ran around the new Wal-Mart. Here is where it kind of went wrong.
At the top of the overpass I went straight. In retrospect, I should have taken a left Toward Hazel Dell Rd. The new roads around UIS still confuse me. So now I was heading south toward UIS with temps in the low 80s and not a tree in sight. Not only was I getting hot but it was windy and there was no coverage. This is really a barren road.
I got back on track after circling UIS and finally making it to the lake road. I felt somewhat refreshed running on this unique terrain. It was neat running around the lake with the trees and sinous road but the hills kind of hurt after 12 miles.
I ended up at the zoo shortly after 12:00. Totals were 15 miles on the dot with an average pace of 08:52. Not bad considering the heat, stop lights, and I haven’t run that far since the Spring. However it was truly a cool experience. Needless to say I was exhausted. I entered the zoo looking like hell and feeling delirious. I got more than a few stares. Oh well, I’m used to being a freak.
