Fitness Friday: racing for a laugh

This past weekend I participated in the LaughFest FUNderwear 5k to support Gilda's Club.  Gilda's Club is a non-profit organization in Grand Rapids, MI that "provides free emotional healthcare to children, adults, families, and friends on any kind of cancer journey or those grieving the death of someone in their life due to any cause."


Participants in the race were encouraged to don their most ridiculous underwear over their running clothes.  (This is a rated-G event, in the middle of a Michigan winter, so no one was showing any skin.)  I actually needed a long run that day, so I ran 4 miles before the race (dressed as a normal runner), then went into the gym to change into my race duds.  I ran just under a mile to the race and then had time to snap a few pictures.

We were able to wait inside the fieldhouse of the local junior college, so I didn't get too chilled.  I'm really not a fan of races that allow dogs, but these two were hilarious with their undies and bras.


I wasn't sure how I wanted to run the actual race other than to push the pace a little over the previous 5 miles and beat the women dressed as old ladies wearing Depends. (Spoiler alert - they didn't stand a chance.)


The race wasn't timed in any manner so all I had to go by was my Garmin.  I ran 3.19 miles in 32:41 (10:14 pace).  It definitely wasn't one of my better 5ks but I realized early on that I didn't need to race it and frankly, I'm not in 5k race shape anyway.  Sub-30 would have been nice but the cobblestone hill at the beginning and end pretty much guaranteed that wasn't going to happen.  The goal really was to just have fun and enjoy the crazy costumes.  *note to self - pick up a pair of Wonder Woman Underroos the next chance you get*


So, a fun little 5k in the middle of a 9 mile run, complete with dorky costume and a medal.  The shirt is pretty decent, too.  All for a good cause.