2023 Ottawa Race Weekend

Another Year and getting ready for the penultimate test of will for runners in the Ottawa region to either qualify for Boston or just get out and do an in person racing. It has been one year later that in person racing has returned to Ottawa. 2023 would be no different and there were no caps on entries and of course crowd support was more than present. This year I decided to only do the 10K race, but also be true to myself and be support to the 2K and marathoners for the weekend. But before that I volunteered my time with the Xtra Mile Crew and went to the Race Expo. This year it moved from the Shaw Centre downtown to Lansdowne Place on Bank Street. Run Ottawa provided a shuttle service from City Hall down to Lansdowne. To my surprise we were able to ride on one of the sightseeing double decker buses. Of course I decided to ride on the top level as we waited for others. The expo was definitely brighter and it was deceiving to see how you could accommodate the number of people and vendors in one spot. One of the perks of being on Xtra Mile was that we were supported by Xact Nutrition and of course they sponsored the shirts and our kits for nutrition. Before the fun really begins I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Warm Up party and be included with many people to sample some catered food and chat with other like minded people. Some amazing food was had and a nice way to start race weekend by getting runners pumped up. Saturday races are always hard. Especially if you've done any of the Ottawa race weekend events you know this weekend is always blessed with super hot weather! You train so much in winter like conditions and then bam instant summer. My first event was the 2K supporting the A-linkers. If you don't know what those are then just google the A-linker bike and you'll understand what they look like. It's basically people doing their first race coming up from an injury or major surgery. This is a way for them to get active and support their return to physical activity.

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

8 Months Post Ablation - Michelle Update - Ottawa Marathon Runner of the Month

8 Months

I don't have much to report other than mandated rest and recovery due to Michelle. But I did have the least amount of activities according to Strava at a whopping 3 activites for 20km.

I know stellar, but having my first DNF at MEC Fortune Fell that resulted in my lack of activity, but on the bright side it just meant more mandated rest and recovery.

Michelle Update - Timeline

July 7 - As you know it was my first DNF and my Gr. 3 sprain

July 8 - After a trip to the ER ankle was all swollen and I await seeing my doc.

July 10 - After seeing my GP he told me to get an aircast

July 11 - A lot of pain and even the T3's didn't really help much.

July 14 - volunteered at the Hintonburg 5K w/Michelle and saw a lot of people out at the race.

July 16 - Met my saviour to date Dr. Joanna Taylor and was told at least 8 weeks before I can run again!

July 17 - volunteered at the Farm 5/15K with the girls including Michelle.

July 18 - met my EP since my ablation and that's when I received the best news of the NSR since May. I made an appearance at work which was almost impossible to do work when I needed to elevate that Diva Michelle.

July 19 - bruising increased to side of my leg which meant a lot more tearing along the sides of my leg.

July 22 - Made the Runner of the Month with Ottawa Marathon and the most praise to be given to my cankle buddy Michelle

July 23 - Session 2 with Dr. Jo and she did a lot more manipulation and needling...the joy. Also she said time to get rid of that boot and get a more flexible brace! So I did.

July 25 - Session 3 with Dr. Jo and my 1st exposure to Shockwave Therapy.

July 27 - another volunteer gig with Somersault Events seeing the cyclists zoom by.

July 31 - Session 4 with Dr. Jo and more needles and manipulation. 

Aug 2 - Session 1 with PT Taylor and she did some more manipulation and allowed me to be on a recumbent bike. W00t!

Aug 6 - Session 5 with Dr. Jo and more of the usual treatment.

Timeline in pics. They may/may not match the dates, but you can see the progress.

Day 2

Grades of Sprain

Les bruises

Hintonburg 5K Flyby sighting of Becky

Yes I felt this way...A LOT!

Bruising means more tearing along the leg

RO Run Crew and me as a volunteer

My girls helping out at the water station

Telling my Electrophysiologist the outcome of my Fortune Fell

Still bruised and swelling going down finally

Elevating and no aircast

Bedazzled update with a lace up boot

More volunteering

My Saviour and how she loves that we name our major injuries

Fast Forward to progress moving to a softer brace

K helping with some traction

My Cankle buddy Kathy and me with the XMC crew

Blogger won't let me put videos in so I'm trying a link. Maybe it will work.

Acupuncture w/ Electrical current
Shockwave Therapy #1
Shockwave Therapy #2

Ottawa Marathon - Runner of the Month

I have been honoured to be the July Runner of the Month for Ottawa Marathon and it was very humbling to be selected. I never realized the impact I had on social media and the run community but I was more than happy to be selected. Thank you Run Ottawa/Ottawa Marathon! Oh the link is just the sub-heading 😉

Oh and I was also honoured to be a guest with a new run club Evolve Run Club organized by Trevor and Leah who are very spirited run leaders I met at the Westboro Running Room and have seen cheering runners on and as well at some events on the trails.

VIP guest me and Michelle

Great chat at Bridgehead