On a 95 degree afternoon, Race the Bar 8K was being held. I know when you sign up for a summer afternoon race there's a chance the weather will be awfully hot. This was that time. Luckily for us, the race directors were ready for it and made a lot of changes that helped keep us all safe out there.

There is not a race expo, just a packet pickup the night before and the day of the race. Runners received gender specific tech tees and 2 beer tickets with their entry. Parking was only available on side streets for the race so we arrived early (about an hour ahead) to make sure we had a place to park near the start.

The course was run along the Lindley Park neighborhood and Arboretum. It is a pretty route, rolling hills and in the full sun. It would be a difficult course on a normal day, but with the heat, it was tougher than usual. The water stops were fully stocked with water and Gatorade and cold, wet towels while they lasted.

The volunteers and police officers along the course were awesome! Very supportive and encouraging. They even joked around with us, clearly thinking we were all crazy for running in that heat. The course was one big loop that took us around back to the start.

At the finish line, runners received a finisher's pint glass and a ice pop! Nice touch!