It depends how many workouts you do a week. If you already do 3 a week, it would be a BAD idea, but if you are doing 2 that week, and its 2 weeks out from your last race, thats not so bad. I usually advocate only 2 workouts a week but when you are pretty much 3 weeks out from your peak race you can get away with a 3 workout week and see benefits. Maybe Im wrong though.
Personally I wouldnt do it just because my friends are doing it, I would take into consideration training as a whole and see if it makes sense to fit it in. Racing hard 3 weeks in a row can be mentally draining as well.