read the excerpt from “raymond's run.”

now some people like to act like things come easy to them, won’t let on that they practice. not me. i’ll high-prance down 34th street like a rodeo pony to keep my knees strong even if it does get my mother uptight so that she walks ahead like she’s not with me, don’t know me, is all by herself on a shopping trip, and i am somebody else’s crazy child.
which theme is shown most clearly in this excerpt?

a. strong knees are the secret to improved running.
b. people with natural talent require little practice to win.
c. being good at something requires hard work and practice.
d. kids will sometimes go to extremes to embarrass their parents.