I am going to have to hope that my times in recent races are not an accurate indication of my fitness. Way too slow. This was a rather big race. About 2000 people registered, but it was raining and I think only about half actually showed up. For the first half mile I stayed with the front group of about 10. They gradually dropped off and I ended up 3rd in a close string of 4 or 5 feeling really good. I missed the first mile marker, but it think it was in the 5:15-5:20 raange. Then we hit Capital Hill. That hill part is no joke. About 400 meters of a decent uphill. The front two pulled away from me immediately and #3 got me at the top. I never really recovered. I have no hill running ability right now. I wanted to catch the guys in front of me but couldn't. Mile 2 in 11:18. Mile 3 5:53. Got passed in the final stretch and finished 5th. In Chicago an equivalent time in this big of a race might be about 20th. Just not as much talent out here. The next race will be the Soldier field 10 miler in 2 weeks. It will be the first race of the year that I will actually care about. | 