FKT: Dan Regalado - Chicago Lakefront Trail (IL) - 2026-07-04

I registered for a Casual Trails event on Strava that began at 8:30AM in Palos. I even talked a friend into coming to support who was not feeling well.  They would not let me participate because I did not sign up on Instagram.  I do not really use Instagram.  Whatever.  I pivoted and got breakfast (my second) at Michael's Pancake House in Worth.  By the time I got home it was around 11:30AM, I thought about riding my bike but storms were in the forecast and I got caught in a storm just yesterday.  "Fuck it, I'll just run the entire Lakefront."  I'm supposed to train for Tunnel Hill 100 anyway.  Drive to Rabida and walk to the south trail head.  Ran into Bobby Morales who offered words of encouragement.  When is one of the WORST times to run on the lakefront?  Fucking 4th of July after noon.  Constantly weaving around people and cyclists and scooters and you name it and all kinds of smoke from grills and vapes.  No shirt, sunglasses, 4 Marutens, and my car key.  Started raining around mile 15, then heavy, then light again.  Lots of puddles and the underpass at Montrose was knee deep.  Stopped for water at 16, 23, and 30.  Pissed at 23 too.  Consumed 3 of the Maurten 100 carb/caff.  Felt really good and bouncy and fresh up until mile 30 and then everything fell apart.  I wore Alphaflys, vicious shoes, and they destroyed my feet and my calves started to hurt as well as my hips.  Miles 30 to the end were run/walk.  I didn't want to do serious harm for some bullshit.  All that to say I think the chaos kept me engaged and plan another attempt because I've gotta run 100, which is sick and twisted and completely unrealistic at press time.