Marina People--EEEEWWWW

The 5K has come and gone! It was fun to train for and just as fun seeing that I can still actually run 3.1 miles. We arrived at the race site way early and did a warm up walk around the track with Derek. It was his first race too! For the event he had purchased some snappy gay socks. As more and more people turned up it truly became a Marina Mother's race with baby strollers and dogs to boot. They were all in their ultra streamlined runner's wear, ponytails and baseball caps, pushing their screaming children in off-road strollers. The SUV's of the baby world I guess. Accompanying them were the Marina Husbands who were all too cool for school and were shocked at the sight of these three gay people in front of them. Miss B really confused the heck out of them as she isn't quite as gay looking as myself (shocking, I know!) and they just didn't get it. No one said hi or wanted to make any sort of effort to lighten up the mood. There was one, maybe two other lesbians and no bears for Derek to chase after. Oh well, the next run we choose will have to be a gay race. I guess living in a neighborhood like Bernal where it's lots of gay folks and the straights are so used to it, in fact many times the minority, just don't seem uncomfortable. Going over to the alternate universe of the Marina it reminds me of just how odd the suburban straight world is and that I don't get subjected to it very often. Perhaps they feel the same way in Gayville.

The course started at the Polo Fields in Golden Gate Park. It was a loop through Eucalyptus trees and lots of blooming bushes. Pollen pollen everywhere! The air was thick with humidity which is very odd in the bay area and also made it difficult to breathe. The park is tricky in that it has a gradual uphill that you don't really notice until your lungs are bleeding and can't figure out why it's so hard. At the 1 mile mark we made our first turn and it was downhill for a while. It was also different than running on pavement. Many more things to be weary of and not twist an ankle or the likes of a race wipeout. It did feel a bit more cushy on the knees which was nice. We then hit the 2 mile mark to which I replied "What, you mean to tell me this is ONLY two miles!". Kept plodding along with Miss B at my side. We do share the convenience of running at the same pace. Lost sight of Derek soon on as he made the first turn much more quickly than we did. After the next turn we had to head up a rather steep and slow incline with students yelling, screaming, and cheering us on as we did so. One little fella was pushing me a long saying "You aren't running, you are jogging! Go! Go! Go!". To tell you the truth, if the little sprites wouldn't have been placed along the way I probably would have been tempted to stop however due to their encouragement and need to avoid embarrassment, I didn't. The finish was now in sight and as we made our way around the Polo Field we heard Derek's name called over the loud speaker at the finish. YAY for Derek and his gay socks! Miss B and I finally made it around the last bend and across the finish line at the exact same time. I swear the paramedics were following me because they thought I was going to pass out. 3.1 miles completed!

Afterwards there was a reception at the Marina Sportsbasement with pizza and beer. I had soda. Beer was the last thing I needed. We were completely invisible to the Marina straighties and didn't feel like placing any bids on the silent auction items. I did find an nice pair of yoga pants and purchased them ASAP. We were all ready to bail so it was time for Muffy's 5K to be over. On the way home Derek asked when the next run will be to which both Miss B and I got excited! Looks like the San Francisco PRIDE run the end of June. Hooray! Perhaps by that time the three of us will have gay headbands to show our unity. Looks like we have done our community service for the gay community this month by reaching out to those Marina Moms and Dads.