| LMLOVEDATE |
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I'm running the LA marathon next weekend with my girlfriend and need your help. It's her first marathon and we'll be shooting for 4hrs. As some background, I'm a 2:48 marathoner and have completed 4 in the past 2 years. I also ran middle distance in high school and college before getting into marathons. She has been running since high school on a more casual 5k/10k basis, completing a half marathon last year in 1:50. In other words, she is very new to this distance. I've done her 16-miler and 20-miler with her, so I have a glimpse into the emotional/physical pain she'll be in towards the end. My plan for race day was to not register and jog alongside her. I'm doing a marathon of my own in late March, and really don't feel like paying for this one on top of that (Side note: I'm also flying from the east coast and am getting a hotel room because I'm not allowed to stay in her sorority house). I didn't think running with her would be a problem seeing as some big marathons like Boston don't care who is out on the course, but the LA marathon website states that unregistered runners will be escorted off the course. So, I have three questions: 1.) Should I just pay the $100 and make sure I'm able to run the entire race with her? (I probably will end up doing this to make the start line and finish line logistics easier) 2.) What is a good walking break strategy? Obviously, letsrun.com isn't the best place to ask a question like this, but how do first-time 4hr marathoners usually break up their walking breaks? I've advised her to shoot for a minute of walking every 30 minutes, and one every 15 minutes past 20 miles. This is what she's practiced in her long runs. 3.) What can I do during the marathon to encourage her/take her mind off the pain? The past couple long runs when she started slowing down I think I've come across as slightly agitated and not supportive. On marathon day I want to be as helpful as possible. Thanks! |
| pablo |
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1.) If you don't plan on racing, don't pay that entry fee. If you are really worried about someone escorting you off the course (I highly doubt that will happen) I suggest making a photo copy (color copy) of her race number..it may not look great but it will pass the basic visual test of whether you are registered or not. However, I don't suggest you cross the finish line. 2.) Just do what you practiced in long runs. 3.) People are different, but time always goes by for me if someone is just talking to me...not necessarily constant encouragements, but just talking. Although encouragements are taken highly if they are given out every so often. |
| DCT |
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Run along side of her Then break up with her at around 22 miles in when she really wants to quit She will be so pissed at you she will forget about the pain, and push on to finish. |
| Northwest is the best |
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1) I would personally pay the entry fee. 2) I would stick to whatever your girlfriend is accustomed to running. 3) Good luck with the motivation. I have ran with my wife before ( I run a 2:58, she runs a 4:15) and I stay quiet unless asked questions. Otherwise at around 20 miles I am babbling along and she is ready to rip my head off. |
| southland |
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1. I would pay the entry fee. Race bandits suck. 2. Doing what you're (she's) used to doing on training runs is probably the best strategy. Alternately, you might try taking a walking break at each water stop. This will encourage hydration, which will make the last 6 miles better for everyone. It also puts a limit on how long the walking can go (when the drink is done, start running). 3. If she's really feeling crappy towards the end, general advice would be similar to above-- keep quiet except for the very occasional bland motivational comment like "hang in there" or "only 2 more miles". |
| the ghost of jake curran |
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For the last time Luke, Brett is your brother, NOT your girlfriend. |
| Billy Boner |
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Billy Bones says "Yarghh matey, run with yer girlie for the race. Also, best ye register, lest be thought a cheatin' scoundrel." |
| nice |
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POD! |
| Superglue |
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I've heard of guys being clingy but aint this a bit OTT dude. |
| swider |
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dude, no way don't register for the race. you're a 2:40's guy, you dont want people to search your name and see that 4 hour marathon in the results. just stick with her and be supportive. she'll think you're such a stallion. |
| ............ |
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Get a faster gf |
| Billy Boner |
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POD![/quote] The coolest part is, I didn't even go to Colgate. This is how widespread the legend of Billy Bones has become... |
| slow marathoner |
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I would advise her to wear a shirt with her name, her sorority, or her school on it. Lots of people come out to cheer the midpack runners/joggers. My experience has been that usually, they just say things like "You're almost there," but if they know something about her, they'll say things like, "Go Delta Zeta!" It's a lot easier to keep going when you have a ton of people cheering specifically for you, and you know they'll see you drop out. |
| LMLOVEDATE |
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I am definitely photoshoping the number. as for the cell phone camera, I think I can get a clearer shop on a real digital camera. It will definitely fit in my fuel belt. |
| cassio598 |
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I'm impressed you're even trying to do that. I tried to pace my gf in a 5k once, and it was a complete disaster. More power to ya. |
| masters fattie |
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as for not paying, does that mean everyone else who is flying in, spending a night or 2 at a hotel etc shouldn't pay? marathons are destination events, most travel to them.. |
| Another perspective |
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You are so lucky to have this chance to run with your girlfriend. Pay the fee, run with her and coach her in. She'll never forget crossing the finish line with you at her side! |
| Pete |
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I'm a little conflicted on this issue, and have some experience with the OP's problem. I've "bandited" parts of three marathons to run with my wife. In the first one (her debut), I specifically emailed the RD to ask if it would be OK. It was a small race, and he said no problem. So I felt cool with that, and I ran the last 7-8 miles with her. In her second marathon, I ran the whole thing with her. This was a bigger event in a large city. In my (admittedly lame) defence, the only benefit I took from the race organizers was traffic control and closed roads to run on, which I agree I had no right to do. I didn't take any of their food, water, etc as I was packing my own. And I didn't cross the finish line to confuse the results. Was I in the wrong? Sure, but I don't see that as any worse than, say, driving 10 km/h over the speed limit. So if anyone would cast stones, first consider whether you've ever driven 10 over. In her most recent marathon, I was entered in a shorter race in the same event, and joined her at the half to finish her race. Again, I was carrying my own provisions, so I didn't take anything from the race. Did my presence add to congestion or create a safety hazard? No. I suppose if everyone felt free to do what I did, it could be a problem. But they didn't, and it wasn't, so far as I could tell, anyway. Anyway, I feel a little bit bad about all this, but not enough to lose any sleep over it. And to the OP... 26 miles is a long way to jog at a very slow pace. I didn't mind, because I'm accustomed to runnign with my wife at her easy pace, but you might want to get used to this before the race. Also, it's hard to tell how she'll act/react late in the race. Be prepared to be understanding, and either talk to keep her mind off the pain, or shut the hell up because she's too irritated to listen to incessant chatter. Everyone seems to react a little differently to the last few miles of the race, but everyone is uncomfortable and irritable. Expect things to maybe get ugly, and you should be OK. |
| amxnz |
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Pay the entry fee. What are you, homeless or something? Is a hundred bucks going to put you on welfare? Take your " I'm a poor college student" argument somewhere else too. If you were that poor you couldn't afford a room and airfare. Pay the entry fee asshole. |
| curiouser |
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You're coming to support her... you paid for the flight... she can't even find you a place to sleep... let her pay the entry! |