Yesterday I ran the GW Parkway Classic 10-mile race. Now, 10 miles is about as far as I go… it was a great course on a HOT day in April (almost 90 degrees). It is a point to point race that starts at Mount Vernon and ends in Old Town Alexandria. The race winds along the Potomac River. Today, I got online to see my “result”. You have to know – I see it as a personal achievement to simply 1) run (or, more likely, lightly jog, the entire distance); and 2) not finish last. I found a really neat thing on the site — the “Statistical Profile” . It provides the average age, time, et al. So, how did I do? Average! More than 1/2 of the finishers were women and the average age was 35 with a 10:20 pace.
I have run a few 10 mile races and a few things never cease to amaze me:
- The Crazy People: The guy who juggles (I see him a lot at races), the one in the clown hair, the shirtless guy in a kilt — why?
- The “Elite” Runners: They finish hours before me and are home, showered and having coffee before I cross the finish line. More power to them.
- The um… exhibitionists: Why is it acceptable at races for men (and some women) to top at the side of the road, drop their pants and relieve themselves?
- The unprepared: Now, I am not the most fit person, but there were some people at the start of the 10 miler that looked like they haven’t run in years (or ever). I give them credit for trying.
I really liked this race and think I will run it again next year. Anyone care to join me?
In the library the other day, I picked up “Parenting, Inc: How the Billion-Dollar Baby Business Has Changed the Way We Raise Our Children” by Pamela Paul. It is not type of book that I would buy. But, since it was at the library, I picked it up. It was an interesting read. The author discusses how the commercialization of parenting has caused many parents to overspend. Who doesn’t want their child to have every advantage? Does that mean they need to go to every toddler class or have every educational toy?
The most interesting discussion, in my opinion, was about how my generation was raised — we didn’t have rooms and rooms full of toys, we didn’t attend toddler music classes, reading classes, gym classes and we all turned out ok. So, why does this generation (my generation) feel like they have to provide all of these things? Most generations try to be better than the last. But maybe parenting has turned more into an extreme sport (at least in the stories in the book). This leads parents today to ponder whether or not they can afford a child versus what the child will add to their life and family.
Anyway, good food for thought. The writing itself is ok – C.
I found this online today. It made me chuckle.
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You Might Be Adopting From China If……
~You know that I-600 & I-171 aren’t highways.
~You’ve been expecting a baby for over 3 years.
~You understand that it’s 2006 in some parts of the world.
~You’ve “paid for” 3 citizenships, but never brought anyone into the U.S.
~You know that waiting for China has nothing to do with Dillards or dishes.
~Your homestudy is followed by a number (i.e. #3 or #4).
~You never know how many days next month will have.
~You know that babies come in batches.
~You’ve been fingerprinted four times, but never committed a crime.
~You automatically assume everyone who is expecting is having a girl.
~You own new clothing in 3 little sizes for all 4 seasons (because you don’t know when or how big).
~You look twice when you see a lady bug.
~You’re more interested in what will happen in March 2006 than in March 2009.
~You know people who understand when you talk about 2 day months & 5 day months.
~Your due date hasn’t changed by days, but by years.
~You know who the Rumor Queen is … AND … you don’t know who she is.
~You know that forecast doesn’t have anything to do with the weather.
~You’ve waited so long, they re-checked your fingerprints to see if they changed.
~Trying to understand why they’re printing you again, you study your own fingerprints and wonder if fingerprints grow wrinkles.
~When you speak of “that time of month” you’re talking about CCAA updates & referrals.
And finally…
…you might be adopting from China if you love someone you’ve never met with all your heart.
So, only two days of LIDS this month… no matter, spring is here!
Congrats to the new parents and welcome to the wee ones.
http://chinaadopttalk.com/2009/04/03/babies-22/
Tuesday was a postcard day in DC — 65 sunny degrees and the cherry blossom trees where in bloom. I posted some pictures… see the Flickr bar on the right for some of my favorite shots.
