The timing worked out perfectly for me to pass through Chicago as another dear old friend (the sister of the dear old friend in Steubenville, as it happens) was running her first marathon (with the ‘Guad Squad,’ as it happens). Our moms both came to town too and it was just a lot of fun. The course was such that we were able to catch them about four times along the way, and it was a beautiful day. Then it was off to Wisconsin!

For shaky handheld Chicago lapses click here.