Before you fan a Facebook Page or follow a twitter account for a running event such as a 5k, 10k, marathon, etc., thoroughly research what the event is about.

Is there a story behind today’s tip? Why, yes there is, I’m glad you asked.

A couple of days ago I was researching runs in Atlanta for June because one, I love road trips, and two I need a race for June. Well, I found this event on Facebook: “The Atlanta Pride 5k”.

This will be the 20th year for the race, and I thought “why not?” and “it looks like fun.” So, I became a fan of the page, and started looking at the photos.  Then I though “Where are all the ladies?” I don’t won’t to be in a race of just dudes. Then I saw a picture of the starting line. There was a gigantic ring of balloons going from one side of the street to the other. Guess what color the balloons were? Yes, the balloons were all different colors, the colors of the rainbow. A red flag went up in my mind. I thought “I might need to Google this race.”

Sure enough, I found out on Google that this was a Gay Pride run. Hey, I thought it was a run for people that were proud to be from Atlanta, not proud that they were gay, and before some of you get your feathers ruffled, I am not against the gay community. I have gay friends. It’s just that’s not my bag of tea (insert joke here).

So, I quickly removed myself as a fan of that page and thought “I hope nobody views that status on Facebook and thinks I’m gay”. Retarded: yes, Gay: no.