This made me think of the story from a few years ago about the charity group that directed their runners across the National Mall to miles off the Marine Corps marathon and enable them to finish before the cutoff time. What sense of accomplishment do you get from a certificate or a medal knowing that you haven't really earned it? If I remember correctly, the leader of the charity said the runners deserved the medals because they were making a great effort to finish on time. Methinks she forgot that they're called "finisher" medals, not "people who tried" medals.
I just don't get this. Why do it if you aren't going to do the whole thing, charity or not???? Maybe this is why my teenager refuses to call running a sport. I worked my tail off for the KY derby half--it was the worst run I have ever had--and I wouldn't have wanted it if I hadn't done the whole thing.
Richard--I hope it's going ok for you. It is warm here, so I can only imagine what it is in Texas. We are going to hit 90 today, but back in the low 70s this weekend, so hopefully it will cool off a little bit for you, too.
I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying Spring.
AFM--My almost 20 yo moved home on Friday for the summer. It started off very rough, but we have all settled into a little routine.
On Mother's Day I said all I wanted was for DS to get up and run with us (I was actually riding my bike--no running in May). So he did it. They ran 6.2 and I think he was very proud of himself--but ready to puke at the end.
(He ran in hs and played soccer). He told me he would not have done it if it wasn't Mother's day. Anyhow, Mike and Tom are going to run a 10k in July and both seem pretty excited. DS is planning on running with us on the weekends. He said his plan is to GTL this summer.
I think that needs to include a J in there too for job! But he's doing his own laundry and has cut the grass and cleaned up after himself, so, so far so good.
I had to walk my bike down the hills (which killed my knee) because my brakes were so LOUD it was embarrassing. It was this loud screeching noise! We were in this huge park where there are packs of people riding bikes together around the loops. And it was this really quiet Sunday morning and all you could hear were the brakes on my bike.
Anyhow, Mike adjusted the brakes and cleaned the wheels and I think we are good to go.
I was back at the chiro yesterday. He worked on my right leg, too cause it's been tweaking a little too. He told me he had two people who came in with itbs a month before the derby 1/2 and they were over it by the time the race started, and I am having a particularly stubborn case. Mike said--you always were special.
Anyhow, I am now cleared to do anything except run. So that's cool. I am going to start going back to strength class. I did a yoga dvd yesterday at home--thanks Maria and John.
OMG--I am so NOT flexible. And I've run in the pool a couple of times. Which is weird, but doable.
Ok, I'm sure this was way more than you all wanted to know.
Hope everyone is well!
Let me add my praise for the medal holder -- very nice! 
to Corinna, Debra, Jackie, Mel
