Ottawa Half Marathon Recap

**Please note that this post is picture heavy and a bit long :)

      Last Saturday, I headed to Ottawa to run my second half marathon.  We left Montreal around 10 am and went to pick up our race kits at the Ottawa Congress Center.  Everything went smoothly with the pick up.  My only qualm is that they NEVER asked for ID so I could be picking up a race kit that is not mine no questions asked.

  

With your race kit you get a lovely technical t-shirt, this year it was a beautiful teal.  I had requested an XL since the woman's cut is made rather small and of course they had none left so the lady gave me a L.  When I went home that night and tried it on it was so tight I looked like a porn star.  I made a joke that I would go as a "sexy" runner next Halloween (in the same vain as sexy nurse, sexy cop....)  I could wear my shirt, maybe cut the next to show some cleavage, some compression socks and booty shorts.

     After the race pick up, we went to my friend's place where we were staying to drop of our stuff.  We headed to an organic vegetarian restaurant called The Green Door to have lunch.  All the food was laid out "cafeteria style" and you took what you wanted and paid by weight.  I had some delicious Thai curried tofu, spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) and an assortment of salad's that were beyond delicious.  Once our bellies were full we headed down to watch the 5K race.  Some friends of mince were running their first 5K.  The energy at the race site was magic.

5K runners--I love this picture

All smiles after their first 5K

5K cookies yummy!

    Once they finished their race, we headed out to dinner.  We were 10 people so you can imagine that it was a little tough to find a place to eat.  After trying the third place we finally sat down at a pub.  Those of us running the half in the morning (one guy was running his first marathon) wanted to carb load, but since it was a pub there was only one pasta choice.  The meal took 2 hours to come.  I was grumpy, tired and hungry.  Finally the waitress comes over and tells us that 5 of the kitchen staff walked out that day and they are understaffed in the kitchen and we would be getting our meals 50% off.  Thanks, but where is my food?  FINALLY, our meals came we ate and then headed home to prep for the race in the morning.
   We laid out all our clothes, placed our chip timer on our shoe, packed our drinks and gels, set about 3 alarms for the next morning.


RACE DAY!!!!

Considering this is 6:30 am I look so happy.

     Like a kid at Christmas, I was up at the crack of dawn, no alarms needed.  I got dressed and we headed to the race.  Surprisingly, parking wasn't so bad.  I was so excited.  We found some of our Running Room friends took a picture and we to the start line.  

Running Room Crew

Because there were so many people running the half this year they had to start in two waves.  One left at 9 am and the other left at 9:15.  I was in wave number two and I placed myself in between the 2:30 pace bunny and the 2:45 pace bunny.


*****Side Note:  A pace bunny is an individual who will finish the race in the time they are holding give or take a minute.  If you want to finish the race in 2 hours and a half, run with 2:30 pace bunny.


    The gun went off and it was a go.  It took about 15 minutes for me to actually cross the start line.  I saw my friends that had run the 5k yesterday cheering me on, it warmed my heart.


    The first 10k was great.  I hit the 10k mark at 1 hour and 12 minutes, I was doing great.  Remember that I had only REALLY started training in the last month, because I had all kind of wrist issues as well as lack of motivation.  The shit hit the fan at kilometre 14.  My ankle started to hurt.  Oh did I mention that it was 100,000 degrees, it was as hot as Satan's backyard?  I was sweating like a heaux in chruch.  This caused me to have a headache.  I made sure to drink Gatorade at the the water stations, I also made sure to pour water on my head and face frequently to cool me down.
     At kilometre 15 I had to walk for about 15 minutes and this got me a bit discouraged, to add to that I started to see marathoners who had finished their race (they stared at 7 am that morning) walking back to their cars.  I actually said out loud, "I want to be them right now!".  I started to feel better around kilometre 17 and continued with my 10 minutes of "running" and 1 minute walks.  At 18 km, I heard my name.  I looked up and there were my friends again.  They literally breathed life into to me at that point.  I was ecstatic to have someone cheering for me, I knew at that point taht I was going to finish.  I was going so slow at this point the 2:45 pace bunny passed me, the 2:45 power WALKING pace bunny passed me (yes there were people power walking the half marathon).  The final two km is a loop with the Rideau canal flowing in between.  I could hear the finish line on the other side of the loop and I really wanted to be there.  I pushed and kept telling myself that I could do this.  I walked a bit so that I would run across the finish line.  I did to a bombardment of congratulations from volunteers!  My final time was 2:47, not too bad.  You know that I am going to have to run another half just so that I can have a sub 2:30 time.

I love you medal!

Wow, who would think that I just ran for almost 3 hours.  I look so happy.

Blue Hawaiian? Blue Lagoon? Hypnotiq?  No silly,  blue Gatorade!

     There are always great signs at this race and my favorite this year was:

You have been training for this longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage!

I laughed out loud when I saw that one.

Winning doesn't always mean being first.  Winning means you are doing better than you have ever done before.

--Bonnie Blair

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Friend Making Mondays: One or the Other

ON A MODNAY!!!!  Shocking I know! I got this over at  www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.  Felle free to add it to your blog. 

 FMM: One or the Other

1. Shower or Bubble Bath? I like a good bath, but no bubbles, Epson salts and eucalyptus oil.

2. Money or Power?  Money

3. Country Music or Rap? Rap (is this 1990, who calls it rap now a days, I kid, I kid...)

4. Sunshine or Thunderstorms? Sunshine all the way.

5. Uniform  or Suit? Suit

6. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

7. Beauty or Brains? Brains

8. Newspaper or Online News? Newspaper

9. Marinara or Alfredo? Alfredo

10. Lip Gloss or Lip Stick? Lip gloss, but lipstick is really growing on me these last few months

11. Beach or Mountains? Beach

12. Talk or Text? Talk

13.  CNN or Fox News? CNN I guess.

14. Cake or Potato Chips? Cake

15. Movies at home or at the theater?  Theatre, love those comfy chairs

16. Bar or Bookstore? Bookstore 

17. Rock or Pop? Pop

18. Manicure or Facial? Manicure

19. Book or e-reader? BOOK!  All the way.  It sucks when you go on vacation and your carry on is over the limit because you have 5 hard cover book from the library (yup that is me)

20. Planes or Trains? Planes (yet there IS something romantic about the train)

I will be doing a post later about my half marathon yesterday!  I survived! (barely) 

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FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!

Hidy Ho Blogger, 
     How are you doing this fine Friday?  Race weekend is here and I am getting excited.  I love the energy of a race and this is the race to top all races.  If you live anywhere near Ottawa and are looking for a big race to do I would HIGHLY recommend running the Ottawa race weekend.  They shut down many of the streets in the city and the whole city comes out to cheer.  There is NOT A SINGLE spot during the course of the race that you will not be cheered on.  If  When I run a full marathon one day and I am not off to some far away place I would like it to be the Ottawa marathon.
  We are going to head to Ottawa tomorrow (about an hour and a half drive) head to the Convention Centre to pick up our  race kits and walk around the centre and check out the booths.  Later in the evening we will watch the 5K, cheer on some friends and have a nice dinner.  Sunday morning is my race and I am really hoping that everything goes well.  They emailed me a virtual race bag which is pretty cool. It has a handbook with tons of info on the races as well as coupons.  I was saying a little prayer for all the runners last night and I really hope that it is not too hot on Sunday.  Last year I saw a few people being treated by ambulances along the route, one guy was only 2K from the finish. That really touched me and I just pray that everyone can finish safe and sound.


I have been journalling and let me tell you that it is really helping.  I have also been BBQing up a storm.  I burned my self on the BBQ last night and now part of my finger is grey like Roger the alien from American Dad.


I am going to make a real effort to head to hot yoga tonight.  I need a good stretch before the race.


Happy Weekend!

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Only A Few More Days....

     Yesterday was the last run before the big half marathon race on Sunday.  We did a 5K and the weather was brutal, it was so hot.  My calves felt so stiff, I really have to stretch them before the race and Sunday.  I am going to talk it easy on the exercise for the next few days.  I am going to try and go to Zumba and yoga today and maybe try hot yoga tomorrow.  

     I have been on plan with my weight loss clinic and so far things are going well.  We have estimated that I should loss the 60 pounds that I am aiming for by Christmas.  We will see how it goes.

    In other news, there is a 10K race next weekend at a national park near by and it is sold out, but I have volunteered to be a "sweeper".   The "sweeper" is the person at the end of the race that brings in the last few people.  I am excited to do this, I can motivate people and help them finish.

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Fresh Start

When I first started the weight lose journey(4 or 5 years I can't remember now), I was working with a weight loss clinic.  It was pricey but it was worth it, they helped me loss 60 pounds (20 of which I have put back).  I wanted to go back but I just couldn't afford it.  My mother has her endless comments so I told her that she could pay for it if she wanted it so bad; and she is (ha ha, victory is mine).  So I am going back today in hope of getting back to some sort of normal.  I am hovering around 230, a year ago I was 10 pounds lighter.  I am hoping that I can finally break 200 and get to my final goal of 172-175.


Only6 more days until Ottawa Half Marathon!  YIKES!

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Peek-A-Boo! I'm Here!

   I don't know why I haven't been posting.  I have been reading and even commenting here and there, but I just haven't been posting.  Let me work backwards and tell you what I have been up to:


Today--The weather is beyond beautiful and we are playing Teacher vs. Student soccer at lunch, we are going to get our asses handed to us on a platter because the girls at our school are really good.  After school I am heading for a quick run and bootcamp and hot yoga may be in my future also. I haven't done hot yoga in so long that I am scared that I will not be able to do anything anymore.  I really need to get back into yoga.


Yesterday--I went to Core Conditioning.  My wrist is feeling much better but I am still going to have to get a cortisone shot in July.  I am so happy that I can lift weights again without (too much) pain.  I went to the mall and ran into an old trainer.  He said "what happened to the big transformation?"  My first reaction was to get mad, but then I told him that it has been 2 years and I have pretty much maintained the weight I have lost and I can live with that for now.  I told him that I am still training and that I have taken up running and I am running my second half marathon next week.  Let me tell you that he was impressed with that!  Heck, I am still impressed with myself!


Wednesday--Played Teacher vs. Student basketball at lunch and we lost 27-19.  I was sweating like a mofo (and it was only half court!), but it was super fun and I scored a few baskets. I also went for a 6K run after school.  Also signed the papers for my new apartment!  Yeah!  Moving July 1st, so excited.


Tuesday-- Made it to Athletic Training.  We had to be in partners and i was grumbling under my breath.  I HATE BEING IN PARTNERS!!!!!  Then my friends sister walked in and I said GOD IS GOOD!  We laughed and had a great class.


Sunday-- Ran 19K and almost died.  Towards the end of the run my body was breaking down.  My ankle hurt, my knees hurt, I was getting cramps.  I was all ready to give up and walk back but I pushed through.  One girl that was running with me was so nice, she said that if I wanted to walk she would walk with me.


That is what I have been up to.  The race is next weekend and I am excited!  I haven't tranined as hard as last year, so I am sure that I am not going to beat my time, but you never know right?


The weight is S-L-O-W-L-Y moving and I am really trying to watch my eating and make healthy choices.


Hope everyone has a great weekend!

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Remember Yesterday?

When I wrote this....

we have a Teacher vs. Student volleyball game to raise money at school. I am also meeting up with a friend for a run after school.  I might go run with the group later depending how I feel.

Well I played in the Teacher vs. Student  volleyball game (we lost both games).  I didn't make the run with my friend because my car was not ready in time and I didn't go running with the group. BUT, I did go to the gym and do a little workout so all was not lost.


I am looking to buy a bike, does anyone have any suggestions on what I should be looking for? Hybrid? Road bike? Mountain? Cruiser?


Today I have Zumba!  Yeah!
Thanks!

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Game On

    Yesterday was a good day.  I did some weight training and then I went to Cardio Box.  The class is suppose to be one hour, but he always goes over.  Today we have a Teacher vs. Student volleyball game to raise money at school. I am also meeting up with a friend for a run after school.  I might go run with the group later depending how I feel.

Happy Wednesday!

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18K: Boo Ya!

That is how much I ran yesterday!  I am really proud of myself.  The Ottawa Half Marathon is in less than 3 weeks and I  figured that I better get some long runs in.  I haven't done a run that long since December.  When I showed up at the Running Room for the run it was nice to hear everyone say that they were wondering where I was and how I had been.  The one thing that I did not appreciate is that people think that if you are not running with them that you are not running at all.  Here is a conversation that pissed me off:


Person X: Hey!  Long time no see.  Are you running with the half marathon group?
Me: Yup
Person X: You know that we are doing 18 K
Me: Yup
Person X: You know that is a lot?!  Are you going to be able to do it?
Me: Yup ----I walk away


I appreciate her concern, but just because I am not running here does not mean I am not running and also, I am a physically active person.  Maybe I have not been running the long distances but I can do it.  I have done it and I know that I can.  Granted I wasn't at the head of the group, but I wasn't the last on either.


On that note, after the run (it took 2 hours and 28 minutes).  I took a bath for 15 minutes with 2 cups of eucalyptus infused Epson salts.  I find that this really helps to relieve the pain in my legs.  I have to admit that today I am in pain and even my abs hurt, but it is a good pain.


Tonight I am going to try a muscle class and Zumba, I figure I better go with the momentum that I am feeling!


On another note, I took a 4 hour bartending class on Saturday.  It was so much fun.  I learned the proper way to mix all types of drinks.  I cannot wait to show off my skills.  I really love making drinks and whenever we have parties I am always the bartender.  I love coming up with yummy concoctions and this class just added to my knowledge.


Have a great Monday!

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Try Again

     My mother says that I have gained weight.  Tell me something I do not know.  It has been two months that I have been dealing with my wrist.  I have gone from working out everyday for almost 2 hours to nothing...  I hate when people feel like they are enlightening you, when really then are just repeating shit that you already know.


In other news, I have been approved to start a run club at school next year!  I am really excited.  I work at all all girl school and I cannot wait to share my love of running with my students.  We are going to race and I am hoping that I can instill pride, confidence and self worth in my students and show then that they can do anything when they put their mind to it!

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Sigh

I don't really have much to say.  My motivation has been lackluster lately.  I went to Zumba on Monday, did a 5.3K run on Tuesday and I am going for another run on Friday.  Every morning I wake up and I say that today is another day and I am going to put my best foot forward, but  by the end of the day the best foot hasn't moved and I have eaten 2 or 3 cookies.

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