I was happy to walk along side them even if they were on wheels. I had just enough fun with families and their kids doing the 2K as they were looking forward to getting to the finish.
I had chance to cheer on the 5K folks while I was getting ready to line up for the 10K to get ready to do my race.
10K Race
Plans were made and then plans changed. It was another hot race and we (Suzanne, Sammi and I) were going to run together. Well it lasted about maybe 1K and then I lost them. They surged ahead and I stuck to the one gear I knew. Slow and steady.
It was very warm and I felt pretty good going steady up until I got up the hill and back down towards Queen Elizabeth. I started walking and came across Jesse and her family who saved me a freezie. Thanks Jesse ❤
By that time the heat was getting on and I saw several Xtra Mile teammates helping out other runners. By the time I got to the bridge the heat was quite warm and saw some OCRC folks along the route and I saw Lindsay who screamed in her mom voice and wished me luck. 😆
I took on that energy and just kept moving forward and finished strong.
I waited for Suzanne and Sammi to finish and we managed to get one decent photo of the three of us.
It was a long day of support and running and Mei-Ling and I were done for the day. It was another early start and time to head home and there may have been a burger stop along the way.
Xtra Mile Crew
Sunday was Marathon day (half and full) ML and I got their early and went right to the VIP area and they had some breakfast for us. It was a nice way to start before having to report to my station at the 37K marker.
Before all that we made sure we got to see all the elites start off as well as the "Michelle's".
I was made team lead for the group this year and it was nice to lead a great bunch of like minded runners who were out to support other runners on their journey to completing the marathon.
It was a long day and I saw many familiar faces and were able to keep up with them for a short distance before running with others that were on the struggle bus.
I ran with one woman who only spoke French so that was a challenge but we got by. I managed to run with her most of the way until I handed her over to Annie who I didn't realize she was nursing a sore ankle. In any event she finished. I picked up a few more and I was handed this one woman who was a pacer and she was doing the half as a walk and she was hurting really bad. She did not want to quit, but I had to flag the medics over and by that time she was beyond reason and did not want to quit. The medics finally took her and rushed her over to medical.
Eventually I walked back towards the Shaw Centre and saw another person walking the half and she was all dressed in black and was definitely struggling. The furthest she ever walked was 10K but jumping from that to walking a half marathon was quite the feat. I didn't see many other behind so I stayed with her and walked her right to the end and made sure she made it. She surprised me by running the last bit on her own. Very impressive.
So many memories for another great Ottawa Race Weekend. Next year is a banner 50th celebration so you'll probably see me doing the same gig as 2023. See you in 2024
The Michelle's |
The last freezie! Thanks Jesse <3 |
Xtra Mile Crew group photo |
Post 10K photo |
Yes I wore a cape for Xtra Mile Crew |
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