Trirunner has it right. For us it is about spending time together. We finally live in the same country but in different cities. So I do the things that I think are right for us as a couple. If that means squeezing in an extra 25min out of the 48hrs that we have together each weekend by hanging out with her as she finishes the run then I'm there.
A couple of you seem to think I'm pacing her. I typically run a step or two behing her to stay out of others way. She is a MOP to BOP and I make an effort not to interfere with other racers.
I don't do this at races with thousands due to the sheer volume of people. Mainly at the local races people therewith 100-300 people. I typically know the RD's and none has ever said a negative word to me.
Every race doesn't see me running with her. Probably 20% of the time I end up manning a corner where the volunteer has lost interest, helping out at an aid station or even assisting the injured racer.
Am I breaking rule 3.something D, yeah it sounds that I may be. Pacing? if you want to call it that then, so be it. Let me apologize for irritating your pet peeve. Have I had many, many competitors tell me "thanks" for cheerring them on? Every single race because every competitor I see I give a kind word to. A few RD's have even thanked me for pitching in here and there. Not one racer has ever complained to me or to the RD that I am aware of. If we all raced together and you saw us on the course you would never know if I was racing or had finished already.
Brian Stover USAT LII
Accelerate3 Coaching Insta