what woman is more impressive?

This reminds me of the same pointless argument between high schoolers on dye-stat who argue that their 4:25 mile on 25 miles a week is just as good as a 4:15 miler who trains 70 miles a week.

2:40 is faster than 2:43.

The lawyer is probably capable of 2:35 (national class ) but has made the decision to focus her priorities on her career.

Its apples and oranges. A full time lawyer who can find time to train is very impressive. I'm impressed with anyone who can just get through law school, that's an accomplishment that impresses me.

A full time runner who fails to meet national class standards may be not living their life according to what society emphasizes as practical but its their choice and I respect anyone who can focus on their own goals irregardless of what mainstream society stresses.

In conclusion-2:40 is better than 2:43.

But these would have to be compared from the same race and course, obviously.

I'm impressed by Linda Sommers:

Lawyer with her own practice

Former Olympian

Runs 2:39 marathon at Twin Cities at age 41

Not on 'roids

Pursuing their dreams. Impressed with both.

Your first example sounds a lot like Lori Stich-Zimmerman who's a sub 2:45 marathoner and attorney here in Austin.

Ah Lori...

She is by far the biggest over-achiever I have EVER met. 2:40 marathoner. Build houses and raises money for habitat for humanity. Lawyer. Plays piano for the church choir. On more volunteer projects than anybody I know. Mangages to stay in touch with literally a 1,000 friends from across the world. NEVER in a bad mood and operates on about 5 hours a sleep a day. This is not an overexageration, in fact, in just scratches the surface to all the things that Lori has done in her life. Introduce yourself to her at some race, one of the neatest people you will ever know (and definitely one of the neatest people I have ever known!!!)

Both are TWENTY FIVE MINUTES slower than the WR. The Public Defender's clients are the scum of the earth. The 2:40 marathoner is bussing tables, but what the hey, cheap attorneys depend on her service. Edge to the 2:40.

Moral: Follow your heart, you will never regret it.

Lori sounds awesome.

My edge goes to the lawyer to the orignel question. She may be able to get to 2:35 or so if she gave it her all and I would be encourage someone like her do that for a 3 month period or so for one marathon, but since both cannot really compete at the international level I am more impressed with someone who works hard and still trains hard.

malmo,

What difference does it make who the clients are for the public defender? Public Defenders provide a valueable service in our court system.

I agree with following your heart to a point. If the one working odd jobs was around 2:28 and the lawyer was 2:31 or so. I would be more impressed with the one working odd jobs but since both aren't true national class types I am more impressed with the one who is smart enough to realize that fact.

this is really stupid. why do you feel the need to compare these two women? do you have a ranking of everyone you know from most impressed by to least impressed by? if so, where do i rank? where does a starving somalian rank? they are two people hopefully trying their best. unless you're trying to decide between them as potential wives (in that case go with whoever's best in bed), why do you care? why am i wasting my time posting this??