Today I began my “taper” for the GW Parkway Classic that is supposed to be this Sunday. Well, last week I started to lighten up my lower body strength routine, but today was my first adjustment to my running. I chose my shortest, flattest neighborhood route: 3.5 miles and only one hill (although it does last for 1/3 mile!). I did pretty well at keeping my pace easy, with my first mile at 9:55, second at 9:45, and third at 9:30 (overall avg. pace = 9:40).
My rant today is not about the weather. I was happy when I checked the Weather Channel App on my iPhone this morning and saw this:
It’s 45°F, Clear
It felt wonderful to be heading out in just a long-sleeve tech shirt and shorts–no jacket, hat or gloves required! And, I’m only mildly concerned about the warm temperatures forecast for Sunday, hoping that the day will start cool before it warms up to the 80F they are calling for.
But, this is getting ridiculous:
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Click below for an important announcement from the Race Director to Participants and Volunteers of the George Washington Parkway Classic, regarding contingencies for potential federal government shut down* * * * *
We are continuing to monitor the potential government shut down and possible solutions to holding the race even if a shut down does occur. We are working with our municipality partners regarding the event, and have been told we should have an answer by mid-day Thursday, April 7.
My concerns are not just about my race. (I’m not that selfish or that obsessed, and there is a worst-case scenario contingency plan to move it to May 1st if nothing can be worked out.) As summarized in this Washington Post article:
The closure of the government, the chief industry of Washington, would affect tourists, the Mall and its museums, hundreds of thousands of federal workers and government contractors across the country, and thousands of D.C. residents who would lose city services.
Nationwide, about 800,000 federal employees could be furloughed, some deprived of their BlackBerrys and other devices, according to senior Obama administration officials familiar with the plans.
National parks and Smithsonian museums would shutter. Ford’s Theatre, a national historic site, would be closed to the public and its programming canceled. The Washington Monument would also be closed.
And, as for the National Cherry Blossom Festival parade scheduled for this weekend:
The Interior Department, which oversees the National Park Service, said in a statement: “Visitor activities that require a permit, including public events, will not be allowed or will be canceled or postponed. Visitor centers will be closed and access to park areas denied, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Independence Hall, Alcatraz, and the Washington Monument.”
From what I understand, the current standoff relates to only 1% of the budget for the current fiscal year which is already half over.
Congress, enough is enough! Republicans, we know you want to cut the budget. Democrats, we know you want to retain important programs. Do the hard work that we are paying you to do, negotiate a compromise, and pass a budget.
Keep the federal government–and the GW Parkway Classic–running.
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Reading that, that really sucks! Considering the months of training and schedules, this really puts a damper on the whole event. Hope it goes as planned!
cheers
Me too! Here's the latest update:
The U.S. Park Police and National Park Service are still analyzing and discussing all avenues of approach for special event staffing if there is a federal government shutdown. A decision is still pending.
I'm worried that Congress will let things shut down over the weekend since that will have less impact than anythign running into the workdays next week, but I'm still hoping for a last-minute agreement or something special for this event.
Well, here's the latest, latest:
Parkway Classic Update
We were informed late afternoon that the Dept of Interior interim guidance does not contain any exemptions for special events if there is a government shut down.
We hope to avoid a shut down and the event will be held on Sunday. However, if there is a shut down, we will send a notice to our participants regarding …details of the May 1 contingency plan.
Thank you for your support.
Stupid politicians!! 🙂
Good luck this weekend, hopefully this weekend I mean.
Steena, I'm sure you know about stupid politicians where you're from!
It's so frustrating. I am so disappointed about the fact that we probably won't run, but I'm glad that it's the only way we're being hit. Some people are going to have to go without pay and that's just unfair. It's not their fault the government can't get it together and agree on something. Ugh.
Well, my husband works for the federal governement, so I hope they get back pay, at least, although Jim Moran says that the climate is not favorable. That would really throw a wrench in the economy and warrant its own post!
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