Ottawa Race Weekend

This weekend was my first marathon away from Toronto. With partners in crime Nicole, Jeffrey, and Sean, we left for Ottawa on Friday, ready for good times and fast times.

From checking out different restaurants and thinking about our next food stop, to a pretty decent expo, to wandering around Ottawa, and a little shake out friendship run, it was a good way to just settle into being away from home and not worry about the race.

One of many funny shirts at the Expo.

Nicole, Jeffrey and me with our BFF, founder of Running Room, John Stanton

As for the marathon itself? Ottawa knows how to put on a race. There's a lot Toronto could learn from this race weekend but especially the cheering factor! There were people everywhere! I was staying with great hosts while I was in Ottawa -- they are part of the organizing committee for the New Edinburgh cheer station so they understood the need to be in bed early, neuroses about the food choices, and overall taper and pre-race crazies. They also knew how to cheer their hearts out and make everyone feel super special.

This race was the most positive marathon experience I have had. I think that the first two were a good way to get the mental aspect realities to set in and to really know how to respect the distance. They also taught me about pacing, pain and crappy weather.

A fraction of the CCRR representation: Wasila, Sean, Nicole, Jeffrey, and me.

I have asked running buddies if it gets easier with experience and there are mixed views on that. I would say that there are a lot of factors so each race is its own beast, but that yes, with knowledge comes power, and knowing what to do/expect, helps in making it less... painful!

I think that not over thinking the negative aspects over the past few days and being really conscious of the food choices and sleep quality for 4 days prior to the race helped make it an easier experience. The weather certainly brought its A-game to the table for most of the race, and that made a significance difference on the morale front. More education and self restraint on the hydration/sodium levels front prevented me from getting dizzy, having major muscle spasms and / or collapsing, so consider that a win. Solid training season with osteo treatments in the mix contributed. But lastly and most importantly, running with friends and getting the support and push from them (as well as family, non-running buddies, and colleages) was the biggest contributor to a great race, and that community is one of the reasons I enjoy running so much.

The course is beautiful and varied in Ottawa but there are quite a few twists and turns and slight inclines that creep up on you (like the Alexandra bridge!). Going along the canal, Tunney's Pasture, along to Gatineau, back to Ottawa and on Sussex and up, around down Rockcliffe, New Edinburgh and finally back downtown to the Canal for the last 3km gives you a sense of the distance covered and the distractions. The least pleasant part was the out and back at the end. Seeing the finish line from 39km is a little demoralizing but the crowds cheering on those last 3 km made up for it! They were 4-5 deep and lining both sides of the street without a break.

I was feeling pretty good for most of the first 21 but from 21-25, the pace was creeping up to a 5-minute km and I didn't see myself sustaining that for another 2 hours. Nicole, who had been pacing us, was so nauseous, she decided to walk and not continue. Seeing my run ambassador buddy so sick was hard but I continued on with Sean and Joyce. Bringing it back down to a 5:20 pace made all the difference and I found my breath.

By km 30, I was shocked at how quickly the miles were passing and at my time, clocking in my fastest 30 km time by 7 or 8 minutes. I was also in awe that, due to my pacing friends, I was still running a 5:26 pace. I am notorious for having a 6:30 pace by the end of long races, lol. When we got to Caroline's race station in New Edinburgh, it was nice to see a familiar face cheering me on. In fact, the announcer had seen my bib, looked me up, and there was a major league shoutout on the PA. The crowd went nuts yelling "Alice". Hilarious!

37 and I still hadn't hit the wall... I couldn't believe it. The salt tabs that my friend/dealer (hehe) Sean gave me worked wonders (they also made my sweat really high in sodium and caused extra chafing, yowch!) but I was fading, and the beating sun was starting to get to me. (We had been lucky for the first 2/3 of the race - ideal conditions: a slight breeze, overcast, cool. When the sun came out, there were shady areas to hide in at first so that was doable. But for the last 7km the sun was pretty intense).

Km 39, I can see the finish line but it seems so far. I start to unravel here. My pace slowed to 5:40 and it was a struggle to keep that up. Km 40: I know I can do 2km but my first unscheduled walk break sneaks in (still, followed the training up to that point?! Holy rockstar eh?! Ha!). Km 41: I see the 4 hour bunnies right behind me, I stick with them, although in my head I know I should be ahead for a sub 4 because I started before them but I am confident I will get to the finish before 4:00:59 (my ultimate goal) so I keep pushing. 750 meters to go. 15 second walk break. Gosh, really? Yes, really! But then I was able to make it happen, crossing strong and without having fully hit the wall.

Earned! 4:00:30!

The chute was fully backed up so keeping walking (with little control over my legs) to prevent cramps, with people stopped dead in their tracks, was annoying. I got at least 1000 calories to ingest and made my way to my 'find my friends' place. As I assumed I was the last one through, after 20 minutes I gave up and headed to the hotel. Little did I know that they were all there, and on top of that, Nicole dug through (after throwing up on the side on the road!) and finished! So a lot of PB's, PA's, and good times.

Oh, and my medal? It's a frikkin' TIME TURNER!

Do I wish I'd taken one less impromptu walk break for a sub-4? Sure. Am I happy to have shaved off 12 minutes for a PB? Ecstatic! Am I pleased to have made my 'b' goal of ensuring I get corralled for Chicago? Hells ya!

I will be back Ottawa, you were a good time. I know you pulled out all the stops on the weather front to show us we shouldn't dread the 'hot-tawa' and I thank you for that. And to my partners in crime who made it a fun trip, looking forward to Chicago (c'mon Sean, you know you wanna).

Celebrating!