Nestled in the far southeast corner of Illinois, where the Wabash and Ohio Rivers meet, is tiny Gallatin County (population 6,900). That is where I was today, to run in the first ever Mop N' Up Forever Family 5K, a fundraiser designed to help adopted children.
It was a nice event, held in Equality, Illinois (population 750), and it had a pretty good turnout. I really liked the route, which went through the downtown and by the old county courthouse square. Congratulations to the sponsors for putting on such a good event.
I am trying to run a race in each of Illinois' 102 counties and had originally planned on running in the 41st Annual Cairo Levee Run 10K today, in Alexander County (where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet). But, I have been looking for a race in Gallatin County for three years now and when this one popped up a month ago, I changed my plans. I can run in the 42nd Levee Run next year.
Yesterday was an ideal day to run. It was sunny and cool. So, I ran 7 1/2 miles after work.
Unfortunately, that kind of hurt me with this morning's race. Even though it was only a 5K, it had a couple of long, rolling hills that took a lot out of my tired legs.
The result was a time of 25:38. Two years ago, that would have been a good time for me but now it is below average. Plus, it included a little bit of walking on my part on the last hill, something I'm not proud of but something my legs demanded. I think I might have let the thought of the hills, which I wasn't expecting for some reason in this river valley area, get to me. In hindsight, I should have pushed harder.
Today's weather was cool, overcast and rainy. They wisely delayed the start of the run 10 minutes until the rain let up, and it just kind of spit on us for the race.
The cool temperature and the rain made it hard to decide how to dress for the race. I had on sweats and a long sleeved t-shirt, which at times was too hot and at other times was just right.
There was a concession stand for after the race and I answered "yes" to the age-old question of should a runner have a chilli dog after a race. The decision was made easier because it only cost $1.50.
Gallatin County becomes the 55th county in Illinois that I have run a race in. I only have 47 to go. This will probably be the last new county I run in this year, although I hope to do one more race (in a county I've already run in) before the end of the year.