The (almost) 5K

Last weekend a local hospital sponsored a 5K.  It was cheap as it was only eighteen dollars.  Also, there were booths and lectures on women's health.  But honestly, I did it for the t-shirt.

There is a local place called the town center.  There are lots of shops, restaurants and a movie theater. In the middle of it all, there is an oval trail for walking and running.

Some of my friends were there, and I also made some new friends too.

I had worn my black running vest since the morning was a little chilly.  Plus I needed the pockets for my cell phone, car keys, and asthma inhaler. Usually my hydration belt is used for carrying all that but I felt I would look a bit silly wearing that to a 5K. By the end of the race, I was carrying the vest as it got a bit warm out.

We were told to do four laps around the trail and off we went.  It was kind of a tough trail.  The hills look deceptively low but they don't feel that way.  At the end of the race, I looked at my Garmin and it read a distance of 2.76.  I was tempted to go a bit farther just to get a full 5K, but since the main idea was to get the t-shirt, it didn't matter.

Then I went to some of the different stations that were set up.  I started out with the scales, brave me!  I weigh in at 188 with a body fat percentage of 43.8.  Oh good, the extra fat will help keep me warm in the winter!

Then I stood in line for the glucose test where they prick your finger but I chickened out and left.

Over to the flexibility test it was.  I had a miserable fail.  The instructions were to sit on the ground and touch your toes.  With much grunting and straining, I just barely touched them.  I was then told that with my lack of flexibility, I was in danger of rupturing a disc in my back.  So, I need to add stretching into my routine.  I hate, hate, hate yoga so I hope to find a mild stretching tape.

The next challenge was to do a plank for a minute.  During the plank, she had me hold up my right food and then my left foot.  I did the whole minute for the plank and could have gone longer.  Boo-yah.  Finally something I was good at!

Then I had my blood pressure checked.  It was 112/76, not too shabby.

There were also seminars inside a restaurant.  I went inside to get some free coffee and what did I see displayed larger than life on a large screen television?  It was a VAGINA.  The first talk was on women's health down under.  My friend Jodi was with me and I whispered aghast, "That's a vajayjay!"  A gentleman standing nearby smiled, looked at me calmly, and said, "I know."  How embarrassing but funny at the same time.  When we went outside, I told Jodi we should have played vulva Bingo.  She told me the man was a gynecologist where she worked.  So I guess he wasn't just some dude who likes vaginas. Oh wait, I guess he was.


We had a really fun time.  I did some shopping at the nearby Target afterward. The house was out of toilet paper, a bad thing indeed.  Then I drove home and collapsed on the couch.  Normally less than three miles doesn't take it out of me, but I am dealing with some stress right now, mostly busy stress.  Stress tends to make me want to sleep and avoid life.

It was a great day and I really enjoyed it. If they hold one next year, I will probably go.  And who knows?  Maybe I will stay for the vagina lecture this time.