The new trailhead for the Great Western Trail (GWT), Western Section is in the NE corner of the Sycamore Forest Preserve (https://goo.gl/maps/GrW72d5axVyhNzSa9, see the pictures included with this report). Started there at 7:41am CST after placing a drop bag with supplies at the St. Charles Trailhead (https://goo.gl/maps/vZzPF2z6k7CFgCd38).
The first 17.55 miles to the St. Charles Trailhead proceeded largely without event. This section of the course takes you through Illinois farmland and has a good amount of tree cover. At mile 11 (Hanson Rd), there is parking lot for the GWT that has a bathroom. After mile 14, you come to the community of Wasco where there is a Shell/Circle K gas station and sign for Advanced Physical Medicine offering free access to bathrooms for people using the GWT. Shortly after that, the western fringes of St. Charles, IL start to appear.
After refilling water bottles and changing shoes at the St. Charles Trailhead (about 20 minutes), I restarted at a slower pace into the sunnier section of the course. Temperatures started to climb above 85 degrees F. Passing by Lincoln Park as you enter downtown St. Charles is the approximate halfway point of this course. This section required a fair amount of sidewalk running as 64/Main St. is a highly-traveled road. I hit the wall after mile 23 and started alternating running and walking. With my pace slowed in the sunnier section of the course and temperatures getting upwards of 95 degrees, I started to feel sick and my body did not want to take in food or much water. By mile 29 I had hit my bottom.
Fortunately, my wife suggested that I take a break and get lunch. After some time out of the sun and getting some food and liquids down (1 hour 42 minutes), I restarted at 6 hours 26 minutes elapsed time (see picture of watch face). Miles 30, 31, and 0.92 of mile 32 were traveling by car to the lunch location and then back to the trail.
The final 9.72 miles to the trailhead at Villa Park, IL were a struggle, but by the grace of God, made it to the finish line!