I debated hitting the "race report" button or not... I don't know the etiquette behind running bandit. I'd never really thought about it much, and I've never done it. I suppose it's bad if too many people do it, but when it's a local sold out race on a gorgeous day and I know a friend had paid for an entry and dropped it -- who's really going to take the time to hassle me? So when faced with that choice this morning because of a snafu with my bib pick-up (I was replacing a guy, but he wanted the shirt so he showed up and took his packet and bib, and didn't tell me and left), I compromised: I'd run, but stick with Mike and enjoy the morning with him instead of a true race. That way, I rationalized, I'd still be a part of things, but I wouldn't be up with any leaders or mess up the timing system or lie if I won my age group (theoretically, of course). Sound fair? Mike's three weeks out from Ironman so he wasn't racing either. We were there to participate and cheer his wife and sister-in-law in on their marathon. After packing away my guilty conscious at the start (I was certain everyone was eyeing the guy without a bib), Mike and I took it out at a really comfortable pace. We ran 7:15s the first two, chatting the whole time. Wonderful weather, sun came out, saw a few friends on the course, it was maybe 70 degrees, and NODM really is a jewel. The half is all on paved trail that runs through forests, lilac fields, and along the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Some hills, but for sooome reason they are much easier while running 13.1. (I felt them during a marathon last year.)
So we stuck that pace, with a few miles closer or at 7 minutes/per, for about 9 miles. Then we decided to get a little workout in. So we burned through a 6:55, 6:45, 6:35 and a 5:45. It was fun to feel that strong and stride out through the finish. I stepped off the course at the 13-mile marker, let Mike run 0.1 on his own and avoided any hassle at the finish. But, it wasn't a real race, I know that. 1:30 was a walk in the park with my friend on a sunny day that serves as a nice workout for the week, and that's fine. At least I didn't pay for it (or get the UGLY shirt they gave out), right? (I should admit here, however, that I took full advantage of the generous post-race spread. Maybe some of my guilt is earned.)
adidas adistar -- 25
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