This is a really small local race. It was charming. The volunteers at packet pick up were so excited to be there and meet us runners. The water stops had themes. It's about as beautiful as the heartland can get with farms on farms on farms. My friend and I counted barn quilts, and let me just say they were prevalent. On our race day, it was ungodly hot and sunny. Because it's farmland for days, there was almost no sun. At one point, I was dying and walking and everything was terrible. Then, in the middle of nowhere a cooler sat on the side of the road. We couldn't see runners ahead of us, so we decided it was for the race. Inside was just lots and lots of ice. We grabbed enormous chunks and put it in our hats, sports bras and rubbed it on our skin. I think the miracle cooler saved me from heat stroke. There were some really thoughtful details like that throughout the course. It's my worst time (by a lot) but I am so proud of this finish.