Sunday, May 30, 2010

Ottawa 1/2 marathon! I did it!

“Everything went as it was planned, clearly, without difficulties. This is a great success.”
Gaele Winters

Here we are at breakfast, before heading to Ottawa.
Family and friends, runners and cheerleaders, all wearing our custom made red t-shirts.
The shirts were made by my super sis-in-law and I (we took pics of our running shoes and then printed them on iron-on transfers). The name of our group is "Les Lacets Rouge" (translates to "the red shoelaces"). Indeed, all the runners in our group wore red shoelaces :) you can sort of see that on the front of our t-shirts (above), we lined up all our running shoes and tied the red shoelaces together. 
Here I am with my super sis-in-law picniking at the race kit pick-up site. If you enlarge the picture, you can sort of see that the back of the t-shirt has a circle made with all our running shoes and again the red shoelaces are tied together. We are very proud of our t-shirts! They were perfect for finding each other in the crowd.
Here we are with John Stanton, the founder of the Running Room stores and training programs. It was his training program that guided us in fulfilling this dream! Thanks Mr. Stanton.

This reminds me that I learned something important during my race. Most of you know that I was doing the 10/1 method and some of you suggested that I make sure to move to the side when I stop to walk. What I noticed is that MOST runners (not all) do move to the side before walking. However, I also noticed that many of them raise their right arm before stopping as a warning to people behind them that they are about to walk. I thought that was a great idea and I used it everytime I took a walk break. The nice thing about this, is that when I saw someone's hand go up, I knew I'd have to move around them and I was prepared. I wish everyone did this!
And we're off!
Here you can see my red shoelaces :)
I am about to high five my son and I'm probably yelling "wooooo"

Maybe you can tell, from above pic, that the heat wave warning was a false warning...ah our local weather is so often wrong I should never worry in advance. Finally, we had a predicted high of 22°C/72°F cloudy skies and even a few light sprinkles of drizzle. Perfect running weather! I will have more cool race photos soon and maybe even a short video. Until then, let me give you a recap of the actual race.

Short version: I am extremely proud of myself...I felt great and I needed no bathroom breaks. I took water only once (just in case, but I had my fuel belt) and I took a wet sponge once, but didn't have to stop for that. My goal was to hopefully come in under 2h30m...AND...

Chip time: 2h21m30s (automatic PB - first half-marathon)
Female placement: 3513/5329
Age group (50-54): 195/403 :)

Long version: Saturday, we were at the restaurant a little after 8:30am for breakfast with our Red crew and then we were off to Ottawa. We spent the afternoon checking in, getting our race kits, picniking and then rushing back because my brother and his three kids were racing in the 5K at 5pm. I didn't end up having time to visit the expo at all, I just walked quickly through it and salivated...no stopping. We then spent the rest of the afternoon at the race site, which was teaming with almost 10,000 5K racers plus their families and before we left, the 10K people were getting ready to go. It was crazy! But, everyone did great and it was worth the elbowing room only. We then made it to the restaurant for 6:30pm for a nice pasta dinner. By then, my feet needed a rest because we had been standing and walking around all afternoon. After dinner, I realized I would need more water for my race the next day, so off to a 24-hour convenience store I went (a little more walking for good measure). Then, after a warm bath, off to bed, where I was hoping the arms of Morpheus would welcome me.

I slept relatively well and was awake before the alarm. Luckily, our race was at 9:15am (second wave), so we got up around 6:45am to have breakfast and get ready. We left the hotel around 8:25 and made it without too much wait time. I decided to slip in at the back of the 2:15 group, but right in front of the 2:30. I felt really good throughout. By the halfway mark, the family was there to cheer me on and I was raising my arms and yelling with them and feeling great. There was lots of encouragement along the way, the people were awesome and there were cool bands. Anecdote: We had been warned about getting goosebumps and how that could mean that we needed to hydrate. However, at one point, I was running along and I could hear a band doing the intro to the Flashdance song - What a Feeling. Just as I reached them, they broke into the chorus: "What a feeling, bein's believin' - I can have it all, now I'm dancin' for my life - Take your passion, and make it happen - Pictures come alive, you can dance right through your life"...I totally got goosebumps...and I don't think I was dehydrated :)

When I reached 18K, I decided not to walk anymore until the finish and by 19K, I picked it up a bit and finished strong, passing quite a few people along the way. I crossed the finish line in 2h21m30s (chip time), which I am more than pleased with as my goal was to make it in under 2h30m...YAY!!
We did it!
Yes, we did the twin thing...remember, we are "Les Lacets Rouge" ;)

More race pics to come...and I'm sure I'll think of other interesting things to share with you. This race was everything I hoped it would be. Interestingly, I felt no pain, other than a little pain on top of my left foot, during the race. This evening is another story...my legs have a few creaky parts and my abs are sore (what's that about?)...but, I'm quite sure all I need is a good night's sleep. So, good night!

Cheers!

44 comments:

Claire said...

Congratulations Lady!!!! Sooo happy for you!!!!!

Char said...

Well done. It's such an accomplishment to finish your first half marathon. Be proud of yourself!

Hi! I'm Erin said...

Yay! Congrats on a GREAT half marathon!

Iris said...

Awesome job!

Claude said...

Je suis tellement fière de toi ma soeur. Tu as réussi avec brio. Tu es une vrai machine. C'est vraiment cool. Je t'aime. With all my love and respect, your sister.

Tricia said...

congrats!

Miglena said...

Bravo! I am so proud of you!!!

Lindsay said...

AWESOME!!!! Way to go :)

Jill said...

CONGRATS! Way to go. I knew you would do great. Great tip on the hand raising...never heard of that.

AM-GoalsfortheWeek! said...

Yeah!!! Go half marathon! fabulous race. love the red shirt crew;-)

woo-hoo!

Johann said...

Congratulations! You did sooo well! Awesome t-shirts and awesome team! You are a true insparation.

Laura said...

Yayyy you totally smashed your goal! Well done! I really enjoyed reading your recap :)

Amy said...

Congratulations! You did so great - not only did you get the time you wanted (and better) you also had a wonderful time with your friends and family and enjoyed your racing experience - and that is what it's all about! Enjoy resting this week - you've earned it! I am really proud of you!

Black Knight said...

Automatic or not, that is your pb! I like the pic where you lead the pack!!! congrats

Kelly said...

Congratulations on running your first half and crushing your target time! Even better that you enjoyed the whole race and felt good. :)

ajh said...

A huge congratulations on your half!! What a way to finish. You sounded so strong passing people! You and your "twin" look great! You beat your goal and had a great time! Awesome! I have been dying to see how you did!

ajh said...

A different topic - we have haze here and can even smell smoke from the forest fires in Quebec. How is it where you are?

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

Congrats Anne! What an amazing experience! Great recap and pictures. So what's next?

Anne said...

Hooray to you and to The Red Shoelaces!! I love how you took in so much of the race, even the lyrics of Flashdance as you were passing through. And I also love that you quickly learned a new race etiquette for signalling before you walked. You looked great out there, and you weren't even wearing pink this time :-).

Janet said...

Great race! Congrats on your first half marathon and PR!!!

MomRunningFromCancer said...

Congratulations Anne - Way to go. Sounds like you had a great day for a great run.

Enjoy the accomplishment

Julie said...

Hi Anne,
Yea, now that is what I am talking about....you did great!! Way to go on your first official half marathon! You did it and you did better than your goal...how exciting:) I love all of the great pictures and you look fantastic! I am so proud of you! Are you going to take me up on my full marathon suggestion? We could train together...think about it:) Congrats to you!

Meg said...

I am so happy for you and I love the red shoelace name and concept! So, I'm sure you're planning your first marathon!?

Jamie said...

Awesome job! Congrats on your first half!!!

Marlene said...

Congratulations Anne! WOW, you did great! Sure lucked out with the weather. Isn't it a wonderful race?

Giorgio said...

Great job on your first half marathon, Anne!
I'm glad that you reached your goal and that race was everything you hoped :)

Robin said...

YAY!!!!!!! Have been thinking about you all weekend.. Well done, friend! Wow! And what an awesome PR! Sounds like perfect weather, great 'fellowship' and super-cool attire.

Congrats on completing your very first half marathon!! :):)

The t-shirts and laces are a great idea. Love the raised hand gesture, too. Haven't seen that here. Smart. You Canadians know how to run a race!

HUGS from Orlando!!
robin

Linda said...

WOOT!!! Well done, you should be SO proud!!!

kilax said...

Congrats! You did great! I love the red shirts and shoelaces!

I have never seen anyone raise their right arm to indicate they are about to walk. What a great idea!!!

Suzy said...

Congratulations!! You did great and should be very proud of all you have accomplished. I've never heard of anyone raising their arm before walking - I'll pay more attention next time I'm at a race.

Weight Loss Mama said...

Congratulations!! Way to go! All of your hard work paid off :) Have a wonderful week!

Jamoosh said...

Look at you and your bad ass 2:21! Way to go.

Heather said...

Congratulations! Awesome job!

Monica said...

Excellent job! Your hard work has paid off.

Thanks for your well wishes on my surgery tomorrow. :)

kristen said...

p.s. That is a GREAT song :)

kristen said...

This post made my day!! Many congratulations Anne. You totally rocked it out. You even beat my first half marthon time :)

I love all the stories about your family. What a cool group. I love the shirts and red shoelaces too!

Now your hooked for sure!

RunKathyRun said...

Congratulations on finishing your first 1/2 marathon; savor the moment, you worked hard & deserve it!

momof3 said...

Congratulations Anne! I'm so proud of you! A HALF MARATHON!!! It's a HUGE DEAL! AND you more than met your time goal, which is always a nice bonus!!!

Darlene said...

Congrats! You did GREAT! I am almost inspired to run a 1/2 at age 57..almost but not quite. I am in awe, though!!!

Psyche said...

Congratulations, Anne! BIG achievement, and you did terrific. But I knew you would..

I've just tagged you, so come check it out:)

Molly said...

whoo hoo....congrats on your Half! So, when's the full going to be?

: )

Ulyana said...

Congrats!!!! You look great! And what a great first half!!!

Jill said...

Woohooo, you DID IT!!! So very happy for you, you were determined and you proved you can do whatever you set your mind to! Congratulations!!!! :)

Wifey said...

Congratulations! How exciting! And congrats on signing up for a full! Looking forward to following your journey.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey