FYI. Not sure just how many of you are checking this blog-site and I am a bit late in my post, but better late than never. So, hopefully you check this site tonight.
It's mega long-run time and I am sure Novices are aware of the 18 and Intermediates do their first 20 miles this Sat. Wx is tenuous in terms of storms, but right now they are showing a 30% chance of storms, so I will go with the full distance run out to 9 and 10 miles. But, I could change that schema and shorten the furthest out distance if Doppler radar shows a lot of widespread coverage of high-intensity or severe T-storm cells moving are way when I get up early am.
But, for the most part expect to go 1/2 distance out and aid stations in all normal shelter positions, including both 45th and 41st, and I will put something out at the park at Grand Blvd, ca 8.43-miles distance out from Cline start.
Novices will run to 9-mile mark, continuing north past Grand Ave towards the end of the Highland section of ELT at S-side of Little Cal River, then take the right up and over the span bridge over the Little Cal River and turn hard right onto the limestone screening Levee Trail on N-side of river. The 9-mile turn-around point is about midway from the bridge crossing and Kennedy Ave. Note, that if you feel you need a break, get out of heat, get water or other beverages, you just simply run to Kennedy Ave, then bear North 400 ft or so to the Indiana Travel Visitors Center. That is your oasis and savior if you get into trouble.
Intermediates will have option to run same route as Novicies, then divert W into Wicker Park on the return stroke, or take the W-diversion into Wicker Park on the out-stroke upon first reaching Grand Ave. I can explain more about that in the morning briefing, but the two different routes and turn-around points are marked in the field.
The air temperature is amenable early on, but we deal with high dew-point and high RH in the early hours so the forecast shows rule of 152 indexes right around there at 151 and 152 in the first two hours from a 7am start. The temp rises considerably thereafter, the dew point rising slightly, but the RH comes down a bit, so technically it is not above R152, but note that the "Heat Index" is 83-90F between hours of 9 and 11 am, so pay attention to hydration and "AA" accordingly.
At this time the probability of precipitation is at 31%, so at this time seems safe to set you loose running far north, although that is not a guarantee that you won't get rained on. You need to be "associative" and pay attention to what the weather is doing, even if you are listening to music or spending precious breathe on jabbering with your run-friends! You have to periodically look up at the sky and check out the nature and look of the cloud-cover. If you pay attention to this you can recognize storms building or approaching far in advance of being caught in them with your pants down! Need lessons or tricks on that, then let me know, but when I run, even with music, or those that accompany me that "jabber" I am always checking on what is going on in the upper atmosphere. I was trained that way from a long career of managing controlled burns.
If you ever want to learn more about weather, then just check out and sign-up for one of those NOOA weather monitor workshops and become a volunteer weather monitor for the National Weather Service. You will learn a lot and gain some skills in increasing your awareness to what and how storms develop and how to recognize it coming long before you are amidst in it. If you want info on where to go to learn that, I can forward you links where to go. I still communicate via email with Casey Sullivan, NOOA's Romeoville National Weather Service Office Fire Weather Manager.
But, for most part, looks like we can get our long run in without too much threat of getting doused or severe weather, I think most of the worst after 1 pm. Anyways, it is a cold front on the move and I know the high on Monday's Labor Day will only be 69F. That's a big change and a warning of fall to come!
Keep it up the vigil and hold on and the marathon will be yours!
peace, Coach Frogger,
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