Ottawa Marathon – 2012

It has been almost two weeks since I completed my first full marathon and I am still on a “running high!” They say the Ottawa Marathon is the best ‘first’ marathon to do, and I absolutely agree 100%.

This was the largest marathon held to date in Canada with almost 5,000 participants in the Full Marathon. The Kenyan runners crossed my path as we assembled in the starting area. Wow! A little intimidating! Though I felt honored to be able to run in the same event.

As I trained through the winter for this race I had my doubts I would be able to complete it. The furthest I had ever run was about 32km and that I felt was a stretch. I didn’t have a time expectation for this marathon,….my goal was to finish the race and cross the finish line…alive!

As more friends, fellow runners and gym mates found out I was training for my first marathon they gave great words of encouragement and advice, all of which I carried with me; “enjoy the race”, “take your time, pace yourself”, “you can do it, I know you can”, etc etc. Jeff’s words of advice….”the race starts at 30kms”!!!! He had faith in me all along!

The race itself took me on an incredibly scenic 42 km route with very few elevation changes, which I loved. It is the only marathon that has you running through two Canadian  provinces. The landmarks and neighborhoods along the way made for a pleasant running experience and helped take your mind of the miles ahead.

I loved that there were ample water/aid stations including several ‘vaseline’ stops and water soaked sponges available. I made use of all of these, especially the sponges. Actually, they came home with me as a souvenir. I became very attached to them as I carried them with me for the second half of the race and used them continuously. Toward the end of the run, I was happy to run under several ‘sprinkler’ stations that were provided by some very generous residents. Perhaps this is why I didn’t feel the heat as much as another runner I know!!

The volunteers, too, were amazing. There were hundreds of them out on the course cheering us on, directing traffic and working the aid stations. Love the volunteer spirit.

There were two highlights for me during this race that puts a smile on my face every time I think back to that day; the spectators and the 41km marker that waved in the breeze as I rounded the corner on the last leg of the race – yahoooo! Never thought I would see that in my lifetime.

The spectators were amazing! They were everywhere, including a group of very enthusiastic Running Free suporters! The city streets were packed as well as the neighborhoods with cheering faces crashing pots and pans, yes, they had pots and pans. They were making as much noise as possible to motivate us along the way. There were marching bands, free high fives, hundreds of kids with huge smiles and some really great posters. Did you know ‘there’s a Kenyan inside all of us!’. Loved the posters with great motivational phrases or ’causes’ to be out running. The pictures of loved ones that had lost their battle with cancer or some other horrible disease and were being remembered that day.  Heard some very touching stories along the way and witnessed great running comradery.

Things I didn’t enjoy about the marathon; the nerves and self doubt leading up to the race, two days of hydrating that resulted in continuous peeing that was not very convenient especially on the 5 hour drive to Ottawa and some severe chaffing.

I took up running two years ago. This is my first year running with Team Running Free. Will I run another Marathon? Absolutely.

PS – thanks Jodi and Norm for your support! [and salt tablets….they worked!!]