Road Trip Down Memory Lane

Welcome to Illinois

Introduction

With a lull in the racing action and a bit of time on my hands, I decided to write an article about running.  As evidenced a few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to go back to McHenry County Illinois to race a 5K I hadn't done in a very long time.

For those that don't know, I lived in Illinois (the McHenry area) from 1997 to 2012.  It was there that I took up the sport of running and got a little more serious about it.

It was also there that I got my first taste of racing.

With me visiting family, I had a few days to rerun some of my favorite routes.  There were still plenty more I'd love to have run, but with limited time as well energy, I made the most of my time.

Me, in front of the Follett Software Building

Saturday 5/3/2025

Once I arrived in Illinois and got settled into my hotel, I couldn't wait to get my shoes on and go for a run. I had a race the next day, but I still wanted to shake the legs out and just get a few miles in.

I was at the Hampton Inn, in McHenry and coincidentally it was located practically across the street from a place I worked at from 1997 - 2012.  It is a business complex, without a lot of traffic. 

I grabbed my phone and began a 3 mile plod around the offices. I used to walk around the complex during my lunch breaks and it brought back a lot of memories.  There wasn't much new and it seemed so desolate on a late Saturday afternoon.  The office building that I used to work at had closed their offices and the building appeared to be unused and for sale.  

Did a few strides along here

It was also a reminder just how much "greener" everything is compared to Utah.  

Flight for life chopper at the hospital

I did a lap around the complex, ducked into the hospital area and took a well traveled path back to my hotel.  It was good to be back in Illinois.

Sunday 5/5/2025

See my post on the Raue Center Run for the Arts 5K.

Monday 5/6/2025

On Monday morning, I managed to eat and get everyone settled with where they needed to go.  I was still pretty full from the all-you-can eat breakfast buffet, but I swung by my old house on Misty Pine Lane in Crystal Lake IL.

Some of the Farm Roads in Bull Valley

This house is where I got really serious about racing and I lived and died by my runs.  I couldn't wait to re-run some of my routes.

The house still looked pretty much the same -- there were a few changes I noticed right away.  But seeing it brought back all kinds of memories: mowing the lawn, shoveling it, the people who were my neighbors, etc.  I had lived there from 2001 to 2012.  One of the things I loved the most about it, was that I really enjoyed the running in the area.

Terwilliger House 

Spring flowers

You can follow my route here.

In the immediate neighborhood I had about a 3 mile loop, which I often did in the winters.  Other times, I frequented the farm roads of Bull Valley.  Running in Bull Valley was always a dicey proposition.  The roads don't have much as far as a shoulder.  The law stated you had to give at least 3-feet of room to a cyclist or pedestrian.  I was lucky to get that.

Stickney House 

But the farm roads were a place I cut my chops on.  It was where I did mile repeats, where I logged endless miles in preparation for my marathons.  I didn't keep good track of my running back then but I figure I safely was averaging about 1500 miles a year.

Stickney Woods Subdivision

The mile markers on my Garmin came up like I had never left.  I started along Mason Hill, passed by the golf course and continued my way westward.  I took in all the historical houses and even ducked into some neighborhoods that I wouldn't normally have gone through.  I was snapping photos like crazy -- it was spring time and the flowers were out and the memories were alive.

Boger Bog

I was a lot slower (and older).  I used to run my 5K route in 24 minutes on an easy day. Now -- I'd have to really work at it to get back there.  

Historic Holcombville and old schoolhouse

The whole experience was both surreal and beautiful.  I didn't want it to stop, but after 8.5 miles and a 5K already in the banks from the day before, I was pretty tired.

Some many race memories

Tuesday 5/7/2025

My final trip took me to Lippold Park, a multi-use park in the far north west corner of the city.  Lippold is huge park -- sporting baseball fields, frisbee golf, soccer fields and way more. It also play host to several large 5Ks, which a very accurate limestone paved 5K course.  I probably ran well over a dozen 5K races there.

I started there and decided to drift into the neighborhoods surrounding the park.  I had my phone and I figured I could do a lap around Crystal Lake.  I lived in the area for 12 years and I never once did that.  I remember a race or two in that area (the long deceased Frosty 5 Miler comes to mind) 

My route can be found here.

It was an absolutely beautiful day.  Occasionally, I'd duck into a neighborhood to get a closer view of the lake.  The park district also had the beach open (and fortunately the bathroom, which came in a nick of time).  It was also an opportunity to get some water in me, as I was parched.

After grabbing a bite to eat I swung by Veterans Acres and wound up doing a fairly short hike around the grounds.  I had once done an 8KM "Euro Cross Country" race here and I simply remember it as being grueling.  I am not much of a trail runner and this race proved that fact.  

I walked the park for as long as I cared to. My hip wasn't too happy with me, but it was a pleasure to spend an early afternoon here.

Upcoming Races

06/07: 2025 Vineyard Days 5K - Vineyard, UT (Confirmed)

06/14: 2025 Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon - Lamoille, NV (Confirmed)

06/28: 2025 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

07/04: 2025 Sandy City 4th of July 5K - Sandy, UT (Maybe)

07/12: 2025 Farmington Days 5K / 10K - Farmington, UT (Maybe)

07/19: 2025 Mantua 5 Mile Race - Mantua, UT (Maybe)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2025 Run Farmington 10K Race Recap -- Farmington, UT

Final stretch of bike trail

Official Time: 57:45

Placement: 1st in the 55 - 59, 44th out of 157
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: low 60's, breeze from the east
Garmin Route: Here
Previous Years: [2024] [2023]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	8:43	Getting rolling.  Easing into the race. A little bit of a climb on the freeway overpass
2	9:08	Had segments that were pretty good but slowly gaining elevation
3	11:00	Yuck, massive up hill here. I actually had to walk the last one.
4	8:33	What goes up, must come down. Enjoyed this segment very much
5	9:26	Pretty spent at this point. Not much in the legs
6	9:48	When will this race end?  Grinding it out on the bike trail.
6.12	1:06	Not much left for a sprint to the finish.
	Total Miles: 6.12- 57:47

Arriving at the race

Introduction

Sometime this winter, a few runner friends insisted we do this race.  It was on my radar but was I was inclining to take a wait and see approach to it.  Maybe I would, maybe I wouldn't.

But of course, the coupon / discount codes code flying in and the pressure became insurmountable.  One friend wanted to do the 10K and another wanted the half marathon.  I would've leaned doing the 5K, but I felt like putting myself through the torture chamber and get the most for my entry fee and do the 10KM race as well.  The 10KM is notoriously hilly.

So I set a date for May 10th and plunked my money down.  I knew this was a fun race and generally speaking, Farmington is a special place to run.

The Race

A group of us arrived at Farmington Regional Park just after 7 AM for the 7:50 AM start time.  For a large race (about 600 runners) they had it well organized -- with lines designated for each race division.  I was worried about problems waiting, but fortunately, the pick-up was smooth and less than a minute.

I wound up cycling through the restrooms and watched the 1 mile kid's race take off followed by the half marathon.  Our race was supposed to start around 7:55 AM and it was closer to 8 AM due to the kid's race taking a bit longer.

They started the half marathon and a few minutes later the 10KM runners started.  For the first 5 miles (or so) we would be sharing the same course.

The start takes you through the parking lot of the park and then onto the street / sidewalk.  You make your way to the bike trail.  Traffic was well marshalled -- in fact -- throughout the entire race I never felt "not safe" or had no worries about where to go. 

I have run several races in this area, so the course was not unfamiliar to me.  I was coming into the race fairly tired and I was going out at what I thought was a conservative pace. I was working but not aggressively hard.  I was slowly roping in many of the half marathon runners.

I had no idea of who my competition was and to be honest, I didn't care.  This was just about getting this race done and putting in a solid effort.  Mentally and physically, I came into the race pretty much drained.

That's me in the red ahead

It was also warm -- I am not yet used to running the warmer sun and it was already 63 degrees at the start and climbing.  I was wearing sunglasses, a t-shirt, and short shorts.  

Mile 1 came in predictably -- 8:45.  I was okay with that.

Finally, after crossing I-15 on an overpass, I found myself on the east side of Farmington.  Familiar sites hit me -- the Farmington Days Race (in late June) occur on many of the sections, so it was a nice reminder I wasn't exactly in new territory.

For about half a mile, my pace was solid.  Eventually, however, we found ourselves on a twisty-turny bike trail that seemed to be climbing.  I knew that at mile 2.5 we'd have a long hill but my pace dropped.  I think I was already at the edge of my limits and just given how much I've raced, my legs and breathing weren't really having it.

Perhaps my GPS was off due to the low hanging trees but I hit mile 2 at a low 9 minute per mile pace.  I wasn't overly flustered, but it felt like I was working too hard to hold that.

Sure enough, the hills began from mile 2 to 3. And they were brutal.  Most of them reduced my pace to a shuffle and the last one I figured I'd expend just about the same amount of time running as I would walking, so I simply power walked up one.  My legs felt rubbery and I still had 3 miles to go.

There were a few points where I wanted to stop and take photos, but this was a race.  I sort of regret at least trying to get a few hasty ones in.

I had paced the 2:20 pacer and was battling with the 2:10 pacer, who probably started 2 - 3 minutes before me.  

I crossed the 3 mile marked with an 11:00 mile pace.  Worse than I thought, but expected.

After the hill, I got a sweet reprieve.  Beautiful, glorious downhill.  I repassed the 2:10 pacer and was holding steady.  I actually felt like I was racing again.  The hill wasn't a massive downhill, but it was enough to hold steady for more than half of it.

We were done with the shaded bike trail and now onto public roads.  There were some occasional spectators cheering us on.  The area was somewhat familiar with me and I could recognize we were heading to Farmington Center where the Farming Days race starts and finishes.  When I hit mile 4 in 8:33, I had hopes that I could salvage this race.  It was also in the middle of this mile that we hit the first aid station.  In my opinion, it was positioned a little too far, especially for the half marathoners and for a warmer day.  I managed to gulp down a Gatorade -- I was definitely feeling the heat.

Runner coming into the finish

Unfortunately, I was running on fumes.  I was just trying to run strong.  I wasn't looking at my watch, but I was working hard.  I had hopes I was running about 9:00 min / mile pace, but it turns out I was quite a bit slower.  I just wanted to be done.  I still hadn't seen anyone in my age group and I still couldn't decide who was running the half and 10K.  We hadn't split yet.

We crossed over I-15 once again and on the other side the half marathons split from us.  The number of people I was working with dropped precipitously.  Also, so did my pace.

Another photo towards the finish

The last mile and a quarter were along the bike trail that we had started on and it seemed to take forever to get to the finish line.  I kept looking at my watch -- I was within half a mile but still had so much further to go.  I turned to one guy -- and muttered "so close, yet so far away"

I just didn't have any energy and my pace was dropping to a half marathon shuffle.  I had no spring and I was probably dehydrated.  With the warm temperatures and only one aid station, it just wasn't working.

The number of people in my field of vision was fairly limited and I couldn't motivate to chase down anyone in front of me and I had a solid lead on those behind me.  I did encounter a few 5K walkers, so that gave me a bit of a boost to move by them, but still, my pace was "I've given up -- I am here to finish"

Group Photo

While the overall distance on the course appeared to be short (at least according to my Garmin) the finish line just seemed to never arrive.  It took forever but I knew I'd reach there.

Finally, I rounded the corner and did my best to pull a "fast finish".  And I crossed under the finish line in 57:45.

Conclusion

So before the race started I had predicted I'd finish around 56 minutes.  Going into the race, I was just sore and spent -- physically and mentally.  I've done a lot of racing leading into this one and given the nature of the course, I knew it wasn't going to be a fast one.  I had hopes, maybe it would, but I didn't see too much to be optimistic about.

The race was a challenge from start to finish.

Finisher's Medal and age group award

The price of the race was decent and I felt like I received a good deal on my registration fee.  The t-shirt was optional (and I didn't purchase it) so that saved me some money.  It was a cotton or cotton-polyester blend, but it did have a cool design.  If the material was 100% polyester, I'd definitely be interested.

The course is a stunner -- despite its challenging nature.  It is a pretty run and I loved miles 2 - 4.  It was fun to speed through the tree lined bike trail and even the city streets weren't terribly bad.  The course just keeps you guessing.

Thumbs up finish

Organizationally, it was a good race.  Easy pickup -- super fast age group awards -- and they had pancakes and sausages at the end. I think there were some protein bars as well as water and Gatorade.  The park also has drinking fountains.  The pancakes weren't very good though -- they were kind of cold by the time I got one.  

The course was well marked and marshalled.  In my opinion, they needed another aid station.  On a warm day, one wasn't enough, especially for the half marathoners.

Performance-wise, no surprises for me.  I predicted my time and more or less I got it.  I feel like I haven't 100% bounced back from the Salt Lake City Half Marathon, which I did two weeks ago. In addition, I ran quite a bit doing some "running tourism" while in Illinois.  So I was pretty fatigued going in.  I am sad I didn't turn in a better time, but at the end of the day, I won't lose any sleep over this one.

This is a well organized race and if you are doing the 10KM race or half marathon, I suggest giving it a go.  The course is a challenge, but a lot of fun. It has a lot of competition -- given how many other races are going on in the area, but for the price and effort required, it is well worth consideration.  Also the age group award is definitely unique (as well as the cool finisher's medal).

Upcoming Races

06/07: 2025 Vineyard Days 5K - Vineyard, UT (Confirmed)

06/14: 2025 Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon - Lamoille, NV (Confirmed)

06/28: 2025 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2025 Bob Blazier Run For The Arts 5K Race Recap - Crystal Lake, IL

Raue Center Race Headquarters

Official Time: 25:33
Placement: 2nd in the 55 - 59 age group, 31 out of 181 runners
Results: Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: mid 40's, breeze from the north
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2005] [2006] [2007] [2008] [2009]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	7:50	Slight downhill but very solid start. Felt in control and locked in.
2	8:16	Some rolling hills here but nothing major. Definitely slowed up here.
3	8:26	More hills.  I think there was more climbing here than my Garmin indicates.
3.15	0:59	Crushed it to the finish!
	Total Miles: 3.15 - 25:32

Runners getting ready to run

Introduction

I still have family in McHenry County Illinois, so when the opportunity came about for me to visit family, I decided to jump into a once very familiar race:  The Bob Blazier Run for the Arts 5K in Crystal Lake IL.

In 2004, I started my racing journey and one of the earliest races I did was this race.  The race is a fund raiser for the local live-theater and was once championed by Bob Blazier - aka Mr. Crystal Lake.

I still remember Bob being the master of ceremonies at the race but he passed away.  Still, the race he called still lives on, drawing a solid contingent of runners to challenge the streets of Crystal Lake.

When I arrived into town, I found myself tingling with excitement.  Who would I see?  Would anyone recognize me?  And how much slower was on going to be on a course that 15+ years ago gave me my legit 5K personal record (19:59) and fastest race mile ever (5:55)?

Familiar looking race arches pre-race

The Race

I arrived at the race site about an hour early for the 8 AM start.  I found plenty of parking and saw other runners milling about.  It was a mere 15 minute drive from my hotel in McHenry.  

A few minute walk from my parking spot found myself in the Raue Center Theater's Lobby and I quickly got my bib.  One of the volunteers recognized my name and asked me if I knew someone and I was like "yes!"  I was already being recognized.  I also mentioned I had come all the way from Salt Lake, in part, to run this race.

That definitely drew some attention!

As I meandered about taking photos I ran into more and more people that I knew.  It was overwhelming at times, but people remembered me and began asking me what brought me back into town (family stuff).  

I managed to get away for a bit to warm up and get some strides in.  I was there to see people but also race.

As I was warming up, I began to wonder if in the intervening years, if the race organizers had changed the course at all.  I had vague recollections of it -- the first mile was slightly downhill, the 2nd mile had some rolling hills and the final one had a poorly placed hill right near the end.

The race is held on the city streets, which were quiet on a Sunday morning.  The street was wide and with only about 200 runners in the race, there was no worried about being blocked in.  Most of the course on residential roads that were lined with stately, mature trees and older, but well-to-do houses.  The race start and finish were pretty much near the theater in the business district in the classic downtown area.

The start was a gun start but a chip on your bib would record your finish time. I was encouraged to start near the front if I cared about my time and placement.

I had sized up my competition and I really had no idea who was in my age group.  The crowd was definitely an older one and I feared I had have to put up one heck of a race to place.

Race Start

We were off at 8 AM and those that I suspected were fast, took off.  I felt like a few runners in my age group were already ahead of me.  Perhaps I could reel them in but the prospects of winning something, despite the previous year's results saying I'd probably would, weren't encouraging.

None the less, I was trying for a fast time, and I didn't want that to discourage me.  I also was running in lower altitude, coming from higher altitude.  

Typical stretch of road

I definitely noticed a difference as my breathing felt in control and I actually felt like I was getting more oxygen.  A series of small downhills and easy turns, had me turn in a 7:50 first mile, despite me not getting overly anxious about my pace.  Solid start!

Memories of the previous races I had down were coming back to me.  It was the same course and that would mean that the course was going to come in around 3.10 miles. No shortages here.

For a 5K, this race does have quite a few spectators and I gave one a large surprise when I knew their name.  I shouted it and I could tell their jaw hit the ground.  I got a voluminous shout of support back.  It pepped me up.

The second mile found my pace slow up.  There were a few uphills here and I had to slow down a bit.  I was wearing short shorts, a t-shirt, a cap and thin gloves.  Many others seemed overly dressed for the weather conditions.  I was holding my own on the course, neither overtaking people nor being passed by too many runners.

I knew my pace was dropping, mostly on account of the hills.  I was definitely rebounding on the downhill sections though.  Mile 2 popped up in 8:15.  About what I expected.

The final mile has a a steep uphill.  We had more or less exited the neighborhood portion and were on a major section of road.  I remembered it being the toughest mile as we ascended one hill after another.  I also remembered that the finish line sort of snuck up on you.

I still had my doubts about placing. One guy who I had thought was definitely in my age group (he wasn't) was clearly 90 seconds ahead of me. I also suspected a few other runners may be in the top 10 as well.  It wasn't looking good.

Still, I was on for a fairly decent race. I ran by the cemetery and a police station and finally I could see (and hear) the train station at the top of the hill. 

Finish line stretch

The  mile markers had been spot on, but the finish line couldn't come fast enough.

As I head into the downtown area, the crowd support picked up and the final .15 miles felt like I was finishing a marathon.  They had a drumming band there blasting out tunes and the crowds shouted encouragement propelled me forward.

I wasn't really going to catch anyone ahead of me, but a few quick turns over my shoulder indicated I had some pursuers behind me.  I didn't have any idea of their age groups, but I wasn't going to let them pass me.

Fortunately, I wasn't passed and I sped through the finish line -- in a respectable 25:33. 

2nd place Age Group Medal.

Conclusion

After the race, I saw so many people I knew.  I was also graciously welcomed by the Hillstriders running group -- many of them I still knew.  I also surprised a lot of other runners that I hadn't seen at the start.  It was overwhelming at times but it was awesome to see so many people that were still at it.

With some trepidation, I checked the results and was happy to see I was in 2nd place.  I wound up refreshing the results at least half a dozen times because I didn't actually believe it.  but my there it was: 2nd place.

Post race refreshments included Country Donuts, water and bananas.  The donuts were outstanding and are a classic Crystal Lake "thing".  

Donuts!

Some things never change and I am happy to report that this race still serves up a solid race experience -- just like it did over a decade ago.  

The shirt was high quality and wonderfully designed.  There were no finisher's medals but you had a decent shot at an age group award.  The medals were adequate to celebrate the accomplishment but not the top. The course was extremely well marshalled and I never had fear of where I needed to run.  The final finish line stretch was incredible as well.

T-shirt, bib + age group medal

My race performance was a mixed bag. It was indeed better than usual and I felt better than I had in a while.  Still, I was hoping to go 24:50 - 25:10 or so.  I think I came very close to hitting it if the course was 3.10 but my Garmin (and most others on Strava got it slightly longer).  It definitely was a step in the right direction though and I left with positive feelings.

Father time always wins in the end and yes as I get older, I am getting slower and less fit.  I miss the days where I was hitting 20-flat.  But unless a miracle or some training breakthrough happens, those days are over.  Still, it was fun to compete and see what I could do.  It was also so nice to be welcomed back into the McHenry county running fold -- where I first toed the line back in 2004.

Upcoming Races

05/10: 2025 Run Farmington 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

06/28: 2025 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)