A little challenge goes a long way

Right at the start of my final 13 mile training run before the race, I saw a group of runners go by on the bike path in the direction I was taking. They were faster than me but I couldn't help but try to keep up As a result, my first 3 miles were imprudently fast, 9:20, 8:57 and 9:06 respectively. 

Per normal, as the run wore on, I wore out: Miles 7, 8, 9 and 10 were: 10:03, 9:52, 10:16 and 9:51.

Slightly before completing mile 10, I got back onto the bike path at Route 225 and just ahead of me was a runner just starting out on her run. Naturally, I tried to keep up, but her pace was almost exactly at what I could manage. Sometimes I could close the distance, but then, either I slowed down or she rallied.  I don't think she was aware of me since I run relatively quietly and never got closer than 10-15 yards of her.  The next three miles were: 9:00, 8:35 and 9:21. My final 3 full miles were faster than my "too fast" first 3. 

I had finally given up as I got past Heart Pond and she was maybe 75 yards ahead of me as she crossed the road at Maxwell's.  Right about then, a woman walking a dog who had just crossed the same street in the same direction, looked back and it turned out to be my lovely wife along with Enzo!  Both of them recognized me.  Another quarter mile and I passed a woman going in the opposite direction.  She is the mom of a boy our eldest daughter once dated and I said "hi" as I passed.  I wasn't sure if she recognized me, but my wife ran into her too and the woman said she thought it was me.