Lost in Shreveport and other adventures

Sure missed everyone Saturday. It was lonely out there by myself, but I did wog 9.5 miles.
It started off pretty rough, though. I wogged the first mile around the block by my Mom's so I could come in and go to the bathroom before starting out for the place they were holding the 5K. That worked as expected, except I had on race-ready shorts...forgot that my cell phone was in the back pocket and proceeded to drop it in the commode. #$%^&!! YUK!

So now, I don't have a cell phone to use. Oh, well. Turns out my sweet, sweet husband had already ordered me a new cell phone for Mother's day. He must be clairvoyant!

I proceed back out, headed out of Mom's subdivision to get on the main road that will take me up to the 5K. I got on the wrong street...wogged 1.5 miles out of my way and knew that I would be late for the 5K start. As I am headed back to get on the right street, I saw my husband on his bike with the dog running along side. He said I looked like somene with Alzheimer's wandering in the neighborhood. I would have hit him, but he agreed to get the car and give me a ride to the event.

So, I got to the event on time. The 5K was to benefit a residential home (Holy Angels) for the mentally and physically handicapped. It was a great turnout and a lot of fun. The route was through a very nice neighborhood. There were these two ladies in front of me, and I guess they got it in their heads that they were going to "beat me". Everytime I ran , they ran. If I got within 5 yards of them, they ran. I suppose it could have been coincidence, but they kept looking over their shoulders, seemingly to see what I was doing. Don't know why...I didn't know them. But I kept in mind that we need to run our own race, so I did what I could and did not try to get ahead of them (although it was somewhat tempting!)

Along the course there was a two piece jazz combo playing in one of the yard about a mile in and another 6 piece band playing in another yard at mile two. Then when you got back to Holy Angels there was a band, and food and drinks galore. I didn't stick around as I still had to walk back to Mom's to get in the mileage, but did get a banana and some gatorade. Next year I'll get in the other miles FIRST so I can stay after the 5K and enjoy the party. I'm also going to get some of my sisters (I have 6) to do it with me!

I got lost, again, coming back to Mom's. I have no sense of direction. Turns out I left through the side of the Holy Angels property and didn't realize it. Fortuneately there was a policeman directing traffic and she set me straight. Even with my misadventures, by the time I walked back to my Mom's house, I was still a mile short (since I rode in the car to the event rather than wogging as I had planned), so I walked around her neighborhood.

The first 5.8 miles was a pretty fast pace for me -- just under 90 minutes. The walk back to Mom's was a little slower (18 minute mile), but I felt pretty good until the last mile or so when my hips started to hurt -- and my back. I've been cyling on XT days, but think that I might have to start doing some weight machines -- particulary for the back. I don't usually have back problems, but last Saturday in Raymond and then this Saturday as I got to the last mile or two my back started bothering me.

Today was great. A nice Mother's day with my Mom, 4 of my sisters and one of my brothers. Got back from Shreveport around 6 and even worked in a 12 mile bike ride.

Headed to Albany, NY tomorrow, but will be back Wed. night. Should be able to get in the miles at the hotel fitness facility.

Hope everyone has a safe week. See you on Saturday.