I run or ride on Fox River trail every week (often multiple times) but had never done the whole trail in one shot. With races still on hold (or virtual), I decided to have my longest run with a chance to claim FKT (there were no FKT for women). I stashed couple bags with water and some food, drove to trail’s zero point in Algonquin, parked the car on the nearby street, and started to run south at 7:28 AM on March 20, 2021.
Temperature at the start was 25 F with light wind from south. First 40 minutes were quite chilly, but very nice and quiet; I only saw two people on the bicycles (seems like they were riding to or from work) and five deer. With sun going up and clear skies, it became warm, so that sleeves of my wind jacket went to the pocket. More people were walking/riding/running on the trail. I did not have any “goal” for my pace, just ran relaxed. Though I felt good, looking at my watch I was warring a little bit about what will happen after “20-mile wall”. Replaced my empty bottles with the full ones and took banana from the stash at Tekakwitha Woods (about 16 miles in). Back to running in almost no time! Wind into my face, but the gradual downhill felt so good! South wind was getting stronger as the day progressed, and in open areas (without trees) it became very noticeable. The next stop is at 23 miles in Windmill park of Geneva – my home base! I took a 5-minute break for a quick “lunch” (chicken broth plus small egg and cheese sandwich), left jacket and gloves, and continued south with the midday sun into my face, banana in hand, and fresh two bottles of water in the belt. To my pleasant surprise, the running pace did not actually change, but now it did not feel so easy. Running through familiar places where I knew every bump and almost every tree did help – noticing first flowers, birds (and bird watchers), many people walking on the trail enjoying nice weather. Bottle of Coca-Cola (from the last stash 7.5 miles to go) gave me a little boost for a couple of miles. But fatigue was taking over my body. Last 4 miles were somewhat a struggle. I had to walk several times as legs were very close to cramping. But finish was close! Just before 1 PM I was running through the Hudson park, up to the bridge across the Fox river where my husband was cheering me! I did it! And faster than I had thought it would be!
Bright sun, 55 F, now even wind feels friendly! It is springtime, and life is beautiful.
This was my longest run ever. 100% solo.