Busy Week and the True Blue 5K

This past week presented itself as a "traffic jam of life," so to speak. Busy busy busy! We got back from the Smoky Mountains on Sunday (farthest 2 dots on the right below, including Coach Terry's marathon). On Thursday I had to drive to Yazoo City, MS (officially the middle of nowhere, the southernmost dot below) to meet with a potential client. That was 3 hours each way. On Friday I had to drive to DeWitt, Arkansas (which some would also consider to be the middle of nowhere...) to speak at a Career Day to three area high schools convening in one spot about the wonderful world of architecture (about 10 kids signed up for my timeslot). That was a mere 2 hours each way. Driving long distances nowadays makes my feet really swell up -- yuck. Oh well, I am home now (upper purple dot)!


After a quick post-career-day nap, I prepared for the second annual True Blue 5K to benefit the University of Memphis Alumni Association "Young Alumni Association." I guess the "old" alumni can fend for themselves. Ha! I met Lisa there. She is a proud Memphis Tiger!

We quickly sought shelter; it was only 33 degrees. Were we insane to be there? Of course. :)

Considering my busy, tiring week, I just wanted to get through the race. Earlier this week I walked twice (Monday and Wednesday) averaging 17:21 and 17:24, respectively. That is pretty fast for me, since my current standard is 18:00. My goal for the 5K was to maintain a 17:30 walking pace.

There couldn't have been more than a hundred people there, if that. Had I not been nearly 27 weeks pregnant, I may have been able to place in my age group due to the smallness! Lisa and I were just ahead of the absolute back of the pack, i.e. we were almost on the front bumper of the police car (a small group took that spot, not us). We briskly walked through the campus. Being that the race started at 7 PM, people were at nearly every turn with flashlights directing us where to go next.

We blazed a trail through the University of Memphis! My miles were 16:36, 16:56 and 16:41! My total time was 52:02 (I was hoping for 53:00). Yay! As always, we talked the whole way. Afterwards we had our photo taken with "Pouncer," the UM mascot.

My reflective gloves really do their job, as you can see.

Saturday I will meet Lisa at the park as she does 8 miles in prep for the St. Jude Half Marathon. After that I will officially rest! Rev: slight sore throat -- no 8 miler!