From what I have learned, there is a USATF rule that outlaws pacing or “aiding” another runner by unofficial runners…
I’m not saying anything – just throwing it out there.
Here’s something else I’m throwing out there:
Two weekends ago I raced in a 5k where I finished in sixth place overall and first in my age group. My prize for the performance in the 5k was two free pizzas and $50 gift card from a local sporting goods store. The pizzas were from a chain and the $50 was from a store that I don’t patronize for a bunch of reasons, but that’s not really the point.
Conversely, this past weekend I raced in a marathon against 20-to-30 m.p.h. headwinds where I “technically” finished in sixth place and second in my age group. My prize? A plaque.
I’m not downplaying the plaque – it’s very nice and like coming home from a race with some type of trophy or award even though I stash them in an old shoe box in my garage. Plus, we had friends and family over after the race and my wife proudly displayed the plaque while we ate the free pizzas from the crappy chain.
I guess the point is that I ought to race in more 5ks that pay off with pizzas and gift cards.
For the record, only three of my athletic and professional awards have escaped the shoebox in the garage. Those awards are:
To this day it is the pinnacle of my athletic career.
That aside, my recovery from Sunday’s run is going very well. Actually, this post-marathon recovery is right up there with some of my more comfortable recovery weeks. The Delaware and George Washington Marathon races don’t count since those races were nothing more than long runs in the middle of my build-up for the 1998 Boston Marathon, and the 1998 Marine Corps doesn’t count since that was the beginning of the end.
With those caveats noted, I’m feeling as good as I have after any race.
How good? I ran 7-plus on Monday and Tuesday in 55:08 and 53:59. Then on Tuesday night I did an slow five with long-time friend, advisor and attorney John H. May Esq. that was nothing more than a nice, brisk jog.
Excluding that jog, the 7-milers were the garden-variety, stiff-legged, post-marathon effort used for nothing more than workout.
This afternoon I ran 10 miles in 69:41 with 5-mile splits of 35:01 and 34:40 at Baker Field. My final loop was in 6:30 pace and it really didn’t take much effort at all despite the fact that I am still a little jelly-legged.
Nevertheless, I’d still like to run in the Northern Central Trail Marathon on Nov. 25, but a few things have to go right for me. Firstly, I have to feel 100 percent and that takes into consideration my legs, mind, weight, etc. I’m old and not willing to risk an injury when I’m still months away from a breakthrough.
Secondly, I have to be able to run 15 miles at a comfortable, 6-minute to 6:15 pace no later than next Monday and run a 5k or 8k time trial in 16:40 or 27:30 by Thanksgiving.
Otherwise, it’s time to put this horse in the barn until it’s time for the next build-up.
Running nugget
Not exactly a running story, but it is one that should hold some interest to those in the endurance sports world. Anyway, the Floyd Landis case took an interesting plot twist this week when it was revealed that the French lab that conducted the cyclist’s failed drug test had its computers hacked.
Here’s the Lancaster Newspapers’ collection of Landis stories.
Photos
Also, here's a few pictures of yours truly running in the wind and rain last Sunday.