North-to-south run on Feb. 27, 2021. 48*, cloudy, breezy. Drove myself to the start, a friend met me in the parking lot to get a photo before I began and coordinate pickup at the finish. I carried a Camelbak hydration vest with 34 oz of water, Hammer Gels, hat, phone and extra mask in a ziplock.
Started from Mile Marker 74 by the Shelbyville Road silo at 8:02 a.m. From then on I had no external support including no spectating, cheering, or hand-offs.
First 5 miles went by quickly, one major uphill, took me from Beckley Creek to Pope Lick. At mile 3 a strap on my hydration vest broke and I stopped to McGuyver it back together (hence the difference in elapsed/moving time).
Miles 6-12 quiet, flat, scenic. However once I crossed into Turkey Run, the uphills began around 13 and really didn't let up. I hadn't run this section before; 3 major climbs from 13-17.5.
Finished basically underneath the overpass at the 54.5 Mile Marker. Jogged a little after to round up to 20 miles and my friend was there to take me back to my car.
Ran this as a training run for an upcoming marathon; went okay, a little warmer than I anticipated and that last set of hills was tough.