HELP: MARATHON WITH GIRLFRIEND

As far as running in a major marathon without a bib, they don't care. I ran a good 16 mles of Boston with my dad and my brother-and will tell you that that is the easiest way to find them after a huge mass marathon. The entire race is chip timed, it wouldn't matter if you went through the finish line or not they don't keep watches on anyone and they don't take tags off of your bibs. That time I went through the finish line with my dad and my brother because I would have never found them afterwards (I didn't have a cell-phone and boston is a pretty confusing place if you have never been there before).

My recommendation- do what you feel is best, but if you end up hopping in, don't worry about it, there will be a ton of people out there that day and half of the guys take off their shirt that has the race number on it anyway, so how is any offcial going to single you out to begin with, just don't be near the start of the race or in the corrals to begin wth and you will be fine.

100 dollars is a lot of money, especially when you are in college and you just broke the bank to get out to the event much less drop it on an over priced race.

just my two cents.

My husband's not a runner so his support comes down to watching the kids at home on race day, which is hugely appreciated! But if I did have a runner husband, this is exactly the way I'd like to be supported. Well done.

Upon further review, I must up my original troll rating of 7/10. Your thread has gone to 4 pages, you were linked on the front page, and you worked in several key elements: girlfriend, slow marathoning, banditing, ect.

My adjusted troll rating: 9/10. Not quite on the fanny pack level, but a VERY solid effort. Nicely done!

As far as the running with the girlfriend, results may vary. I ran with my ex- in a 5 k; no problem. I ran with her in a marathon and it sucked. Contrary to another poster who said something to the effect of he annoys his wife when he starts babbling at mile 20, I cannot keep up a conversation out there. On my long runs with a group I will talk for the first 5 miles or so and then I'm just focusing on running. She, on the other hand, could talk for 26 miles straight. Just make sure you and the girlfriend are on the same page not only as far as pacing, etc, but as far as what she expects from you and what you have to give.

As for paying, who cares. No one at a lame marathon like LA is going to bother pulling you off the course. But go ahead and photoshop the bib; worth a free ride on metro if you need it.

Good luck; in more ways that one.

The OP sounds like a fine, supportive fellow, but I don't think he should jog along side the gf all the way.

Better to do a modified Gallowalk where he shoots out ahead of her for a mile or two, then jog till she catches up (she'll have to wear something bright and noticeable), finally running (jogging) alongside for the last 10k. This is where she will need that extra push and steady pacing.

I am looking forward to reading the aftermath.