My god! I really have joined a cult!

I am not sure if I have made a terrible mistake or not. I was confused. I was not thinking clearly when I signed on the dotted line and turned over my $100 check to a group of overly zealous, dry-fit wearing, exercise manic people who were more than happy to take my money, thank me for seeing the light and with a cheery smile, welcome me to their cult.

TnT is like all other fundraising organizations. They have forms to fill out. Paper work to study and look over. Guidelines to follow. And then there is the "secret" handshake. It's not really a physical handshake. It's a phrase that we yell out to pump us up and get us all excited for what's ahead. Everyone and anyone who has come across fitness fanatics wearing the signature TnT purple tank/shirt, have heard of the phrase. It's "Go Team". And you are expected, if not required, to yell this every time you see a runner, walker, biker, swimmer wearing a signature TnT purple or white dry-fit tank/shirt. Yes, Go Team. A motivating phrase? Personally, I have to chuckle when I hear it. "Go team" sounds, dare I say, cultlike. I prefer "good job", or "you can do it" or "keep it up". But that's just me. Maybe I just don't fit in.

Our first group run was this past Saturday morning at 8am. But first on our schedule was a sponsored Shoe and Gear clinic. I would have liked to just start running rather than mill around for an hour listening to the ongoing speeches and lectures about basic running shoe structure, what type of running gear you should be wearing, etc. I know all this stuff. I know that you don't wear cotton garments to exercise in, that dry-fit/cool-max fabrics are better at wicking moisture away from the body, the difference between pronation and supination, and electrolytes drinks are good for you. But I didn't want to act as though I was above all this for fear of being kicked out of the cult early on. I paid $100 and I'm making sure I get my money's worth. So, I humbled myself and feigned interest.

An hour later we separate into three groups according to running ability. One of the coaches props up a boombox on a folding chair, inserts a music CD, turns up the volume and blasts the Rocky soundtrack. I'm embarrassed. Do we really need the music to get motivated for a 200 yard warm up run?

There's non-TnT people using this running trail. The farmer's market is right across the street. The area is crowded with families going for a morning stroll. For a moment, I'm afraid someone might recognize me. I suppose this is a great way to advertise TnT and capture the interest of others not familiar with our organization. We could have just as easily wore bunny suits and received the same attention.

I don't know what I got myself into. I'm already exhausted just thinking about it. Maybe I should have joined the Church of Scientology or become a Mormon.