Mito-What? 5K Belleville, IL April 19, 2008

(David) Last year at this race it was cold and windy. This year it was in the low 50s and raining. I’ll take this year’s weather over last year’s. My last year’s time was 23.23. This year I wanted to at least get in the 22s. The course is hilly. Like I said last year. the hills aren’t huge, it’s that they are continuous. There is no flat spot anywhere. The course is two loops and then a shorter loop, so one of the worst hills you have to go up twice and another one you go up three times. Last year I felt I started out too fast so this year I wanted to be more conservative. My first mile time was 6.43 and I felt pretty good for the whole race. My other splits were 7.40 and 8.00. My final time was 22.23, exactly one minute off last year’s time. I got first in age 35-39 and 14 out of 47 in male category. The plaques were the same as last year which is good because they are more unique. Plus this year they gave you a piece to screw in the back so instead of hanging it on a wall you can stand it on a table or desk. My brother-in-law, Brad, was also in my age group and got third. We also both won attendance prizes. I won a $20 gift card for Fleet Feet stores. They also sold chances for various prizes. I was lucky enough to win a basket from “Our Lady of the Snows”. It had a bunch of good stuff in it: $30 gift card, sweatshirt, rosary, and a wood cut out “hope” wall hanging, plus the basket. It was kind of funny because I had just gone to the gift shop, bought some items, and later I find out I won a $30 gift card. So I went back and bought more. Even though I complain about it, I actually like this race. It is a tough course but after it is over one feels like they did something. My sister, Paula, and brother-in-law were both able to be there. Paula took the picture of the beginning of the race. I am kind of in the center in the blue shirt and Brad is to the left in the white long sleeve St. Louis Marathon shirt. Also at the end of the race there are free hot dogs, hamburgers, and bar-be-qu. I think I ate two hamburgers and two hot dogs. I just wish the weather would cooperate. This year at the start of the race it was a hard drizzle and then toward the end it was raining. Maybe next year it will be better.