BIG10K

As a training race for the AF 1/2 Marathon (9/15) I ran the BIG10k this Saturday.  To be honest, my training hasn't been very serious this month, between volleyball and hot weather I am a behind where I would like to be.  This week I got a little more serious, running two 10k's to be ready for the race, but was certainly not in the shape I was in at the beginning of June.  That being said, it was still the longest race I had ever run, and although the weather and view were both great (on Chicago's lakeshore the whole race), the course was really crowded the whole time.  There were 2636 runners trying to fit on a path that is 5 people wide, without a shotgun start.  In the end I was happy with my result - 8:50 mile splits, placing 841/2636 participants, and 131/273 in my age/gender group (men's 30-34).  

Afterward there was a Big10 oriented tailgate where got my picture with Bucky Badger, Brutus Buckeye, and Ki-jana Carter.  I did not get a picture with the Nittany Lion, who did not attend.