For the third consecutive year, I participated in the Illinois Marathon.  The first year was my very first race, and I was thrilled to finish in the upper 1/3 of my age division in the 5K.  Last year I tackled my first 1/2 marathon, which I finished - not in stellar style, but I finished.  This year I ran two races to completed my first mini-IChallenge.  On Friday evening my friend Anda and I tackled the 5K to be followed the very next morning with a 10K.  And we did OK :)  I thought the IChallenge would be a great way to kick-off training for H2C, which is three legs of a 200 mile course within 24 to 30 hours.

Anyway, as usual the Illinois marathon staff and volunteers did a great job.  The medals were beautiful and the encouragement along the course was fan-nominal (sorry - could not resist).

Now on to Hood to Coast!