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Old 07-05-2008, 06:08 PM   #2
Runner Coug
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I don't think you have anything to feel bad about. In general I don't think using races, particularly long ones, as training runs is a bad idea. You have a closed course, water stations along the way so you don't have to carry anything, and you get the camaraderie of being with a lot of other runners. The risk, of course, is that you get caught up in the wave and go faster than you should, or you don't want people you know who may see the results to think you're slow. If you can avoid the traps, it's a good idea.

Hal Higdon even recommends using marathons as training runs, and just stepping off the course at the distance of your long run.
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