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Ottawa Marathon Report (Read 397 times)
Daddyo
It's BQ year!
 posted: 5/26/2008 at 9:55 PM
modified: 5/29/2008 at 4:36 PM
Team Daddyo Strikes Again
For the first time in over a year all 5 of us were there at the same time for the Ottawa Race weekend. DW and I ran the full, Sarah (now 15) ran her 3rd half marathon and Josh our elusive eldest escorted lil' Cam (almost 8 now) in the 5K.

Our times

Josh and Cam - 24:37 (A PR for Cam, and 3rd out of 72 in the 8 and under age group!)
MTA: Josh, a former high school runner, now 19, ran this race after only 1 other run since like last summer!

Sarah - 1:48:07 (A PR and 5/89 F19 and under!)

Mommyo struggled with a not quite healed sore hamstring and only one training run in the last12 days. She was able to run easy and finished her 1st marathon, 5:23:00 making me a proud hubby Smile

Me - 3:47:16 (an 8 minute PR)

It turned out to be a pretty good weekend all around considering a few setbacks (crap hotel with no kitchenette that was supposed to be booked & crappy restaurant choices with several meals having to be sent back!)

We were a group of about 25 that travelled to Ottawa from Toronto so it was nice to see familiar face at an out of town race. Most of our group ran the half, a few ran the full and a few ran the 5 or 10K.


Saturday, was spent getting to and from too many places on foot. Grrrr, I said I wouldn't make this mistake again but lo and behold we walked all around, between the 5K race (the 5 and 10K races were held on the Saturday) to lunch, shopping, to dinner, back to the race 10K race to watch friends and then to the awards area where we stood forever waiting for the age group medals to be presented only to find out that age group medals are mailed out!


My Race report

I was hoping for a sub 3:40 but running a HM 2 weeks ago and spending all day Saturday on my feet and not really getting a decent meal on Sat. Had me bonking pretty bad.
I started out ok with and 8:30 first mile, an 8:15 second mile but then knocked off far too many sub 8's putting me on track for a 3:30 by 10'. By the half I was still on track for sub 3:40 (1:48-) but started feeling fatigued. In fact I felt better at the half marathon I ran in 1:38 2 weeks ago than I did at this point . All I could think of was all of you Running Ahead'ers saying HTFU so I continued to average 8 minute miles until about 17 and then slowed a bit. By 20 I knew I'd overcooked this bird and hoped for the best usng all of the positive thinking and mantras I know of to get me through. Extended walk breaks came into play from here on in.

Funny thing, at mile 20, the velcro strap knee tensors I have been wearing were hot and making me feel very restricted. I pulled aside ripped them off and tossed them beside a landmark I know I would remember so I could go back and get them later. I felt much better after this and wonder if I should have done this sooner as they are more of a crutch that I use on long runs only. I did the rest of the race without issue and the old knee pains have not returned. Hmmm. By the way, we drove by that landmark later on. No knee braces to be found...sharp cleanup crew!

Slowtime: Mile 21 was over 10 minutes and 24 was almost 10 minutes. I hadn't looked at my watch for a while as I assumed I wasn't even going to break 4 hours (those walk breaks felt like eternities especially because my legs didn't respond when I told them to start running!) At about 24.5 I finally looked and realized if I toughed it out I'd get in under 3:50 so somehow I managed to run/walk it in and actually enjoyed the beautiful finishing road alongside the Rideau Canal though I couldn't even oblige the spectators who were offering high fives as I didn't have the energy to lift my arms.

With .2 to go I was walking and a race director told me to get running for the finishing photo. I just looked at him, no energy to even smile and say who cares...then I broke into stride, realized I had made it through another marathon successfully and smiled for the cameras feeling so relieved it was over yet immediately started looking forward to the next one! Strange ya? Cool

MTA: It did get hot. Not many people I spoke to came close to the times they were expecting. Several strangers I spoke to said they lost it at the end due to the heat. I was constantly soaking myself with water and felt ok heat wise but a lot of people complained and I saw many at the side, with medics, towards the end. I don't particularly blame the heat for my slowdown but who knows (it was about 72 by the end of the race)

Event Cons

There were limited amount of porto potties along the course although last year there were plenty. I wonder why this changed. I had no issues peeing in the bushes but I feel bad for the ladies, maybe who had to do their best squatting out of site.

Race kits were as lame as any, again unlike last year's which were one of the best.

The pace bunnies talked loudly and were very annoying causing a lot of people to run ahead or fall back to get out of their earshot.

Event Pros

Great City, great start finish area, decent post race food. Medals are one of my favourites. Awesome course with some of the best fan support I have seen. The entire course, save for a few of the early mile is absolutely stunning, rolling hills, beautiful rural areas mixed will lovely old streets and picturesque downtown Ottawa areas, a lot of which runs along the canal. I highly recommend this race.

Our group had a nice post race dinner and party and made the whole trip even better.
The convoy home was nice too.

Despite the major fatigue factor I felt better afterwards and today I feel great and looking forward to another marathon in Niagara-on-the-lake in 4 weeks (June 21).

D
Dave ~ Marathon Maniac #1166
www.daddyo.ca
Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.
Ileneforward
posted: 5/27/2008 at 12:08 AM
The whole fam-damily did great! You can't beat an awesome weekend like that. Smile Congratulations, Daddyo!
hawk4932
posted: 5/27/2008 at 12:39 PM
Thats awesome. Congratulations to all of you.
Kevin

2009 Events:
Jan 15, Portland Winter Run 5K
May 9, 5/3 Riverbank Run 25K
May 23, Bayshore Marathon (my 1st)
Jul 25, Ionia 5K
Sep ?, Mackinac 8 miler
Oct 18, Grand Rapids Marathon
BadDawg
posted: 5/27/2008 at 4:09 PM
Where the hell is everybody? A Team Daddyo post with less than twenty responses? Strange stuff.

Nice job gittin' 'er done, sounds like a serious HTFU effort. Hope you're good to go in four weeks, that's not much time for mending muscles you've pushed that hard for that long. I know my legs are still junked from May 4th, and that's about the same time frame.
Ed

Tuesday Good Times 5K series in Lowell, MA

HTFU

"The truth is that there is nothing noble in being superior to somebody else. The only real nobility is in being superior to your former self."
Whitney Young
Mississippi
posted: 5/27/2008 at 5:04 PM
Congratulations all around Team Daddyo! You're all very inspiring!!! Yes
"You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast. These are some good times so take a good look around. You may not know it now but you're gonna miss this" ~ Trace Adkins

RunningAhead.com Texas Independence Relay Team
HurricaneShaunna
not running in January
 posted: 5/27/2008 at 5:08 PM
Nice job Daddyo on the PR. Your whole family did great too... you have some fast kiddos!

Good luck at the next one- is it going to be a family gathering too?
Shaunna

Working my way down from 167 lbs to 147 pounds. Currently 165.5 lbs. I've got my work cut out for me!
Blogrunner
Come Run With Us!
 posted: 5/27/2008 at 5:08 PM
Hi Daddy-O.
Just got back from doing the Ottawa Half myself. I thought the weather was a bit on the warm side, and I wished I had some SPF on my shoulders. Didn't do a PR, but considering how lousy I am when the sun is out, I was happy with my 1:53:57. Nice job and kudos all the way around for you and yours. This is the first time I run Ottawa, and I really enjoyed myself. I couldn't agree with you more how nice the course was laid out. Very scenic, and very fast too (pretty flat other than just a small bump in the road right before the 10k mark).
Turn out was extremely impressive. Medals were beautiful too. First medal I've gotten where the inside actually can swivel 360 degrees!
Congrats again! Big grin
Alex
Blogrunner's Road To New York - Daily Nonsense Delivered Fresh To Your Monitor

Groups
NYC Road Runners | 1500 Mile | Half-Marathoners
Daddyo
It's BQ year!
 posted: 5/27/2008 at 5:17 PM
Quote from Blogrunner on 5/27/2008 at 5:08 PM:
Hi Daddy-O.
Just got back from doing the Ottawa Half myself. I thought the weather was a bit on the warm side, and I wished I had some SPF on my shoulders. Didn't do a PR, but considering how lousy I am when the sun is out, I was happy with my 1:53:57. Nice job and kudos all the way around for you and yours. This is the first time I run Ottawa, and I really enjoyed myself. I couldn't agree with you more how nice the course was laid out. Very scenic, and very fast too (pretty flat other than just a small bump in the road right before the 10k mark).
Turn out was extremely impressive. Medals were beautiful too. First medal I've gotten where the inside actually can swivel 360 degrees!
Congrats again! Big grin



You'll have to try the full next year. That's where some of the nicer parts of the course are...a bit hillier, but worth it. The medals are nice and I feel so bad for one of our mates who collaapsed with 1K to go. woke up in the medical tent with low BP and a fever. He just got over bronchitis a few weeks back and really should have taken it easy. 1K away froma PR too! I tried to get him one...no go Sad

The next race will more than likely be just me. My daughter has Ontario finals for 3000m track on the 7th though. Little Cam is begging to run a 10K on July 1 - it is a perfect 10k for young guy (he'll be 8 then) it is a flat run along a packed dirt fireroad. I guess I could pace him that day although it has been almost a year since I ran a 10K and I am looking for a PR there Tongue
Dave ~ Marathon Maniac #1166
www.daddyo.ca
Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.
tuf_aint_enough
posted: 5/27/2008 at 9:00 PM
In spite of everything you mention, a PR is a PR. Fine effort.

Midsummer Night's Run. Think about it. I am mulling this one over... probably only the 15k, though. I want to focus on some shorter, faster stuff this summer.
JasonR
posted: 5/28/2008 at 12:49 AM
Way to go Family Daddyo...... you guys are fast

I bumped into another RA-er who said Mid-Summer Night's Run was great....... I'm leaning toward the 15k too. 30k is too far, primarily because there is beer at the end.

Will Team Daddyo be there? Its in your neck of the woods...........

Jason
Daddyo
It's BQ year!
 posted: 5/28/2008 at 1:55 AM
Quote from tuf_aint_enough on 5/27/2008 at 9:00 PM:
In spite of everything you mention, a PR is a PR. Fine effort.

Midsummer Night's Run. Think about it. I am mulling this one over... probably only the 15k, though. I want to focus on some shorter, faster stuff this summer.


I am definitely in either probably for the 30 but one of them for sure. I also want to nail some shorter races. There are a few I will do. I will post them shortly and try to entice you guys to join me.

It is in my neck of the woods. Start/Finish is a 10 minute drive from my home. When the beer tent closes, my place opens (or a bar in the beaches...bring your own designated driver, or bring a sleeping bag!)

Other team Daddyo members? Ya, missus for sure, 30K to build back up to her Fall marathon. Sarah, is looking to the 15K. Cam is too young for this event.



Dave ~ Marathon Maniac #1166
www.daddyo.ca
Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.
arneparne
posted: 5/29/2008 at 3:38 PM
A 7 minute PB is very good! To bad heat and too much walking ealier got you in the end.
I humbly suggest a November marathon in Hamilton as the perfect venue for a massive PB. The new course there is all downhill from the halfmark and there is NO need for sightseeing! It is in November so heat should be of no issue as well. It is probably going to be mine last full M for 2008. Great racereport!
WTG
Cheers
ArneParne
Goals 2008
1: BQ/PB <3:30:59 DONE FEB 17th BQ 3:27
2: Half ironman Done Aug 10
3: 2 or more M. DONE Feb 17th and BOSTON April 22.
4: Sprint tri Done July 5
Goals 2009
1: The NORSEMAN
Daddyo
It's BQ year!
 posted: 5/29/2008 at 4:39 PM
Quote from arneparne on 5/29/2008 at 3:38 PM:
A 7 minute PB is very good! To bad heat and too much walking ealier got you in the end.
I humbly suggest a November marathon in Hamilton as the perfect venue for a massive PB. The new course there is all downhill from the halfmark and there is NO need for sightseeing! It is in November so heat should be of no issue as well. It is probably going to be mine last full M for 2008. Great race report!
WTG
Cheers
ArneParne


Arne, thanks Smile

I am hoping to do NYC. I get in through work, as a travel partner, but the expenses may keep me from going.

I was thinking of doing Toronto but your description of the Hammer Marathon sounds enticing!

And what do you mean 'probably be your last full m for 2008'? Does tyhis mean you may fit something in after that? Smile
Dave ~ Marathon Maniac #1166
www.daddyo.ca
Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.
jsobo119
...Frosty...
posted: 5/29/2008 at 4:57 PM
Good job Daddyo!
Viich
Future RX-7.5 owner
 posted: 5/29/2008 at 7:16 PM
Just got my email 'your pictures are ready' from Action Sports. Some interesting shots.
I was running in the 5K with the Canadian Forces Championships. 2 seconds slower than my PB, and a literal order of magnitude more people than I'd ever seen on a course at once.

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=31318&ID=51074196&FROM=photos&BIB=21204
2008 Races: 3 May 08 - Lancaster 5K - 17:14 24 May 08 - CF 5K Champs - 17:16 (At Ottawa Marathon) 6 June 08 - CFB Gagetown Spring Thaw - 6.3km 22:29 15 July08 - Tuesday Night Track 1500 - 4:35 13 Sep 08 - Mercury March 10K - 38:44 21 Sep 08 - Army Run ½ marathon - 1:21:30.9 (10K PB in second half)
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