LBCM OMGWTFBBQ . . . . and More Post-Race Reflections

I've got lots of great post-race reflections now that the Race Crank, Crooked N's, and MC are gone. I had some time to get over the pain. I'm having a quick and almost pain-free recovery (I'll be ready to run tomorrow - no problem! - and I'm kind of pumped about it, too). I got realistic and admitted to myself that a PR is not the point of racing - in fact, some of my best race times followed a race or two after a disappointing, non-PR'ing race. I started bragging a little about what a hero I was to start the race to begin with. Given my medical history, I'm allowing myself to be amazed that I also finished - and I'm remembering to be THANKFUL. (Hello?!!!! A few months ago I was all gratefulness for being able just to train. After the past few weeks, I could have easily written this race off and said, I can't do it. I'm too sick.) And I'm positive that I'll be able to do Philly. In 5 hours? Maybe. In 6? Possibly. Does it matter how long it takes me to finish? Please, God, don't let me forget that the answer to this question is NO.

So let's move on to Other People's Problems.

I asked this question in the "going places" forum on the Higdon boards, but what happened at LBCM this weekend? Looks like record humidity and temperatures and even a death during the race? Appears that the race was cancelled while some people were at mile 21?

Please, Lord, and anyone else reading this, forgive me if any of this sounds harsh, but I really want to know what happened.

High temperatures and humidity? It was about 84 degrees from what I gather. How humid was it? How many aid stations were there? In Florida, endurance races (even Ironman distance triathlons) are held at temps in the 90's and humidity up to 100%. Our aid stations on endurance races can some times be few and far between (every other mile some times, even during longer races). The last tri I did was held at 8am, lasted until close to noon, was 96 degrees and over 70% humidity (VERY low for us), and aid stations were only on the run, every 1.5 miles - and the course had almost no shade. Yesterday I ran a half-marathon in 100% humidity and 80+ degrees. These races were not cancelled. People rarely die. (I say rarely because there are always IM tragedies). And NOT all the runners were native Chicago-ans, so you can't say "we're just not used to that up here."

What made LBCM different?