I wanted to run the entire FRT for a while, and this fall seemed like a natural time to give it a go. Some hip and glute pains through the fall eliminated the nice weather days, so I decided to give it a go during my son's last week in day care. Hopped out of the Uber on the north end of the trail just before 8 AM to a chilly 16 degree start. VERY slight NE wind 3-4 mph turning to E by mid-run, maybe 5-8 mph. Absolutely nothing in the wind impacted the run. Was really cold for the start of the run but felt great, kept up a good pace for the first quarter of the run, but really decided to start pulling back during the middle third of the run. The glute was flaring up and I knew my water situation was going to be a problem (none of the parks had their water open, and I hesitated to visit businesses with COVID happening). Implemented some walking by mile 15, especially on any uphills, but I was really happy with my ability to keep moving instead of stopping altogether. Only a difference of about 5 minutes in moving time vs. total time, so I'll take that a win, especially considering the two lengthier stops were to take off my running vest to get at my phone in the rear gear pouch.
Was dressed for 16 degrees but found myself overdressed by the 15 mile mark. My wears, from bottom to top:
Two pairs of socks (smartwool on the inside, Wright socks on the outer)
Saucony Guide road shoes
Calf compression sleeves
Running tights (not my heavy ones, just normal)
Synthetic underwear
Short sleeve under a long sleeve under a Salomon non-insulated shell
Arm warmers (lost them by mile 15)
Thin stretchy gloves under running gloves with the pull-over mitten
Ear warmer under stocking hat (lost the ear warmer by mile 15)
Neck gator (took it off by mile 10, used more in case I needed a face mask)
Goodr sunglasses
Foodwise I did it pretty well. Had 3 20 oz bottles that I downed, all with 1.5 scoops of Tailwind. Would carry spare Tailwind next time. Ate 4 gels (all caffeinated) and one Clif bar (Nut Butter variety). Ran out of water with 10 miles to go and at about 7 miles to go had a gas station give me a bottle of water for free (which I'm going to go back to pay for (they only took cash and I only had a card) as soon as this is submitted!). Running buddy Greg meandered onto the trail with about 12 miles to go, and I apologized 300 times for causing him to run his slowest 12 miler ever. I paid him with a Chipotle burrito afterwards.
One note: this was the ENTIRE Fox River Trail. It finishes over the bridge on the south end and finishes at Souwanas Trail Road on the N end. There were two small detours that did not impact mileage. In downtown Elgin the trail was detoured two blocks south before going west one block (versus going west one block then two blocks south). In south Elgin, there was trail work being done and the trail was routed around it (looked like they had just made the new portion of the trail, which is what I was routed on, and work was being done on the old section, which appeared like it was going to be decommissioned). Ran the E side of the river from Batavia to North Aurora rather than the W side; would do the opposite next time, as the W side has fewer rollers than what's in Red Oak Forest Preserve.
All-in-all a fun day. Someone fast could crush this trail; hope to see someone take advantage of a great regional resource soon!