Ran in a very large 1/2 marathon on Sunday and despite having a decent day and dropping a minute and a half off of my PR, I am still a little irked by something I saw during the race. Looking for comments of the legality or ethics of the situation.
I ran much of the course in close proximity (within 10 yds or so) of a woman who, while not in my age group, is a frequent competitor at local tris and road races. She was running with and obviously being coached/paced by another runner. We were close enough for me to hear him giving her instructions, ie, "I want you to stay right here" (as he pointed over his right shoulder), "move up and get right behind that guy until I get back" (when he slowed for an aid station), and other similar comments.
There was a headwind for much of the race and I know she benefited immensely from using his draft not to mention having constant feedback and encouragement.
She eventually pulled away despite my best attempts to hang with her, and finished about a minute and a half ahead of me. Darn!
I am not familiar with the "rules" of running or the ethical implications of this kind of thing, but it doesn't really seem to kosher to me. Any comments? Educate me, please.
G
It's a little like wrestling a gorilla.........you don't stop when you're tired.........you stop when the gorilla is tired.
I ran much of the course in close proximity (within 10 yds or so) of a woman who, while not in my age group, is a frequent competitor at local tris and road races. She was running with and obviously being coached/paced by another runner. We were close enough for me to hear him giving her instructions, ie, "I want you to stay right here" (as he pointed over his right shoulder), "move up and get right behind that guy until I get back" (when he slowed for an aid station), and other similar comments.
There was a headwind for much of the race and I know she benefited immensely from using his draft not to mention having constant feedback and encouragement.
She eventually pulled away despite my best attempts to hang with her, and finished about a minute and a half ahead of me. Darn!
I am not familiar with the "rules" of running or the ethical implications of this kind of thing, but it doesn't really seem to kosher to me. Any comments? Educate me, please.
G
It's a little like wrestling a gorilla.........you don't stop when you're tired.........you stop when the gorilla is tired.