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Posted on 06/22/2002 1:53:10 PM PDT by pittsburgh gop guy
Bush Sets Fast Pace at Fitness Race
Sat Jun 22,12:42 PM ET
By LAWRENCE L. KNUTSON, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - He didn't finish first, second or even in the top 20, but President Bush ( news - web sites) tried to lead by example Saturday in a three-mile run with hundreds of White House workers.
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Bush came in near the top of the 400-runner field, finishing 26th.
The 55-year-old president, running in blue shorts and a white T-shirt with "Healthier U.S. Government" on his back and a No. 1 tag on his chest, was clocked at 20 minutes, 27 seconds. The White House said, however, that the official time was 20:29, as recorded by a chip in Bush's running shoe. The first two laps were well under a 7-minute-mile pace at 6:30 and 6:49. The 20:29 was better than Bush's usual 20:30 for three miles.
"It felt great. It was less than 20:30," Bush said at the finish line at the Army's Fort McNair in Southwest Washington. After the two laps-plus around the parade ground in the early morning sun he was soaked with sweat. Philip Mattson, 26, of the White House correspondence office, came in first at 17:12.
First Lady Laura Bush ( news, bio, voting record) led a large group of walkers over a 1-mile course and completed it in 22:58.
The entry fee for the executive mansion employees to run the race was a pledge to devote several hours of time to volunteer work. Bush told the staff he was serious about collecting it.
"It's important for those of us in the White House to live how we talk," Bush said. "If we're going to say we're going to live a healthy life, let's do it. If we say we care about a neighbor in need, if we want to love a neighbor like we'd like to be loved ourselves, let's show it through our actions."
"I hope you understand that at least that's how the boss thinks," he said.
To Americans generally, he said: "I know you're a better worker if you exercise on a daily basis. I know you'll help keep the health care costs down in America if you exercise on a daily basis. I know your life will be more complete if you exercise and serve a neighbor in need."
Bush's own routine includes a run on Sundays when he clocks his 20-minute three miles. On Thursdays, he routinely runs about four miles, again averaging about a mile in seven minutes.
Bush underscored the fitness theme in his weekly radio address Saturday, saying every participant in the Fort McNair race "took important steps on the road to better health."
"And the good news is this: When it comes to your health, even little steps can make a big difference," Bush said. "If just 10 percent of adults began walking regularly, Americans could save $5.6 billion in costs related to heart disease. And research suggests we can reduce cancer deaths by one-third simply by changing our diets and getting more exercise."
Just before he left Fort McNair, the president watched as SFC Mark Fortinberry, 32, based at Fort Knox, Ky., stormed a 35-foot climbing wall and reached the top in seconds.
Asked if he had been tempted to stop for a breath the sergeant replied, "If it's the commander in chief watching, you can't stop."
Either way - ya gotta love this guy!
Yes, indeed! I'd love to have seen X42 participate in this run just to see him get thoroughly whupped by everybody except Helen Thomas!! ROTFLMAO!!
Or in running.
Remember back when bubba was first in office he made such a big deal about running? (Although with those legs of his, looking like fat blobs of rancid congealed lard, nobody would believe it....)
He visited Portland, OR and arranged for a well-publicized run in the Portland Rose Garden, which was shut down for the entire day previous for "security reasons." The press corps was out in force, and got Our President on film, triumphantly running along.
He ran less than 1/4 mile -- no more than about 3 minutes, just enough time for the folks to get their pictures, then he left. Like everything else about that lying sack, it was all fake.
Damn, I'm glad we've this guy in office. Not perfect, of course, but basically honest.
this scripture came to mind
Hebrews 12 1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,Amplified version
Leading by example.
The look on our President's face tells me he is working, by God, and that is the watermark of a great man.
10% inspiration, 90% perspiration.
You go, Dubya.
Carolyn
Guess where these pics will show up later this evening.
No wise cracks, Saberooth.
Bush did not wear the "porno shorts" as we call them - which some of the other runners today did.
As for comparing him to Clinton - W would kill bubba in any athletic contest, no doubt. The President is in wonderful shape (may I be so lucky in 24 years!) I think he ran a marathon in 3:40 or so - which is pretty darn good.
What's "nanny" about encouraging people to exercise?
Sheesh! Can't the president give a couple of common-sense recommendations without the libertarians screaming that the jackboots are trying to make them walk a block and eat something besides french fries?
I heard it as just the opposite, "ya'll take care of yourselves so the gubmint won't have to." Sort of like teaching 3rd worlders HOW to get their own water and grow their own food, rather than feeding them then leaving and allowing them to starve to death. That's my perception of it, anyway.
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