“I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I'm damned if I'm going to use up mine running up and down a street.”
Neil Armstrong
I just thought that was a funny quote...
So I am completely new to this running thing, and have learned about things I never knew about before this little adventure. Like negative splits, Yassos, tempo runs, and pace groups. I turned to the blog world and started reading some running blogs to get more information. Of course, all the blogs are of runners who run sub 9-minute miles, but at least I can dream because there is no way in hell I can ever run a sub 9-minute mile.
Anyhow, one blog I like to read is Tall Mom on the Run. She's funny (and EXTREMELY FAST) and gives good information about products. She wrote a post about bandits - people who run races without being registered. I have read plenty of posts about people who had people jump in marathons and run a few miles with their friends just to get them through it. I have asked my neighbor and friend to run a mile or two with me at the OBX Half Marathon, and I don't see what the problem is with that. Maybe "real bandits" run most of the race, but helping me out for a few miles I think is okay. Heck, I read plenty of race reports of the Chicago marathon of people jumping in and running with friends for a few miles.
I guess the serious runners see them as people taking advantage of the closed roads and such. Really? I can see if a runner runs the whole race without registering, but hopping into the race to help out a friend, I don't see anything wrong with it. I get it with the smaller races of 300 or less. Maybe they should just register. But the race I am doing is sold out, and is by no means small.
So that's my 2 cents for the day.
- Amy W
- I am a 30-something working mom with two daughters; Ashley is 7 and Audrey is 5. Come sit, stay and read my Family Story...
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3 comments:
I am training for a 10K. I have run 5K's before and I don't see the big deal with someone running without registering. It isn't like they are going to take the prize or something. I think especially for ahlf or full marathon a little support would not be a problem.
I don't see the big deal, either, especially since most races seem to take place at large public venues (parks, downtwn, etc.) As long as they don't help themselves to food, I think it should be okay.
By the way, since I'm new to running, if you could list all of the running blogs you read, that would be awesome!
Some 'bandits' take water and snacks paid for by the runners who do register, not to mention the organizers pay for to have security for closing roads and to have medical attention on standby. You mentioned in a previous post looking forward to something they'll hand out at mile 8. What if it was all gone by the time you got there because people 'dropped in' who weren't registered? The rules and fees are there for a reason. My .02 cents.
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