Considering the circumstances, I am satisfied to have finished without harm or injury. In the history of the Chicago marathon, they have never had conditions this hot (87 degrees, with humidity a heat index of 90 degrees). Of the 45,000 runners that registered, 10,000 didn't show up for the race and another 11,000 didn't finish (which of course is why I placed much better than I would have normally). Over 300 were taken to the E.R. by ambulance and that does not account for all the people hauled off the course and taken to the medical tents. The marathon was officially closed at 12:00 PM to participants who had not crossed the halfway point. Despite there being less runners, it felt more crowded than the previous 2 years. I often felt claustrophobic and "boxed in". I think the heat made for some rude runners with poor running etiquette. I took a Gu 20 mins. before the start and 1 every 6 miles. I took water at every station - 2 on my head and at least 1 down my throat. (Gatorade only once, my body didn't want it.) Everything got wet and heavy... my shorts felt like a soggy diaper and because of the humidity, never dried. I ditched my singlet at the halfway point and felt like I lost 5 lbs. My strategy was to run conservatively for the first half (about an 8:45 pace) and then pick up the pace the second half if I was feeling ok. I was pretty successful until the last 3-4 miles when my left hip started giving me problems. I debated pushing myself, but given the weather conditions, decided it was best to finish without the need for a wheel chair or paramedics ;-). A big mistake on my part was that I forgot to transfer my orthotics into my race shoes. I NEVER run without my orthotics. I could feel that my feet and legs were responding differently without them. This could be the reason for the left leg / hip pain. So I crossed the start at: 0:02:54 5K 0:26:55 10K 0:53:49 15K 1:21:03 20K 1:48:26 Half 1:54:26 25K 2:14:49 30K 2:41:28 35K 3:08:06 40K 3:37:27 Finish: 3:49:15 | 