Carlene Paquette - Race Reports

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another."

Walter Elliott, Cited in BITS & PIECES

"DETERMINATION - The race is not always to the swift... but to those who keep on running"

"Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt.  Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead."

  -- Roger Bannister, after becoming the first person to break the four minute mile, 1952.

Contents (in reverse chronological order):

2008

• National Capital Marathon - May 2008
  

2007

• National Capital Marathon - May 2007
  

2005

• Ottawa International Self Transcendence  24 HOUR RACE, Sept 2005
• Conquer the Canuck, July 2, 2005
• Canada Day 5K, July 1, 2005
  

2002

• Ottawa Half Marathon - October 2002
• Try a Tri - August 2002
• Graham Beasley Duathlon - July 2002
• Motionware Canada Day 10K - July 2002
• Smiths Falls Classic Duathlon - June 2002
• Do it for Dad - June 2002
• Rock 'N Roll Half Marathon - May 2002
• Nordion 10K - May 2002
• Kentucky Derby Mini Marathon - April 2002
• Richmond Road Race 5K - January 2002

2001

• Santa Shuffle 6K - December 2001
• Help Santa 2 Miler - November 2001
• Jim Howe Memorial Cross Country 5K - November 2001
• CIM/Home Depot Half Marathon - October 2001
• Graham Beasley Duathlon - July 2001
• Motionware Canada Day 10K - July 2001
• Smiths Falls Classic Duathlon - June 2001
• Around the Bay 30K - March 2001
• Richmond Road Race 10K - January 2001

2000

• Cumberland Duathlon - October 2000
• Gloucester 1/2 Marathon - September 2000
• Graham Beasley Memorial 5K - August 2000
• Labatt 24 Hour Relay - August 2000
• Penguin Flight School Canada - July 2000
• Motionware Canada Day 10K - July 2000
• Vermont City Marathon Relay - May 2000
• Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon - May 2000
• Richmond Road Race 10K - January 2000

1999

• Santa Shuffle 6.5K - December 1999
• Help Santa 2 Miler - November 1999
• Run for the Cure - October 1999
• Graham Beasley Memorial 5K - August 1999
• Motionware Canada Day 10K - July 1999
• Scotiabank 1/2 Marathon - May 1999
• Richmond Road Race - January 1999

1998

• Santa Shuffle 6.5K - December 1998

National Capital Maration - May 25, 2008

I was undertrained but I toed the line expecting the run the first half and possibly stop there.  I would ‘play it by ear’ and proceed from there if I felt like it.  Even then, the plan was that I might only run part of the course and loop back early.  I ended up finishing the whole thing in 5:32:57 (clock time) or 5:29:42 (chip time).  It was a hot, sunny day and I was really glad to be finished.  But it was a rewarding experience.  Though I do think running the marathon last year, with better training, was more fun.

I was undertrained.  My training started off okay in January and early February.  I got myself to the 23.6K mark.  Things were looking good.  Then I got sick with a bad cold.  I was off for a week and my lungs were not happy with me when I started running again.  Fast forward to late March when my husband gave me the flu.  I missed 1 week of work and another 2 weeks of training.  Now factor in that we  had the second snowiest winter on record.  It was not a great year for my training.  I tried to pick things back up as best I could, but my runs were not going well.  Finally, on May 12^th I had a good run, covering 17.5K after work doing circles around my neighbourhood.  Yeah!  I was now confident that I’d be able to run the first half of the race. 

Because I had determined that this was no longer an "A" race for me, I began thinking about my husband.  The logistics of maybe dropping out mid-race and then finding him in a huge crowd are tough.  As well, his grandmother was scheduled to move to a new retirement residence that same weekend.  So I suggested that he skip the race and help with the move instead.  It took a bit of convincing, but he went off to North Bay and I was at the race alone.  But I did have a camera with me this year which was kinda fun.

Anyhow, I proceeded to shop my way through the rest of the booths.  I bought some great stuff and had a blast.  Finally got to meet Cindy from RunningSkirts.com, her husband and their cute son.  It was a real treat to meet her since we have been emailing back and forth for 2 years now.  I am a very happy customer and have now purchased 8-10 skirts from her. 

I also stopped by the Canadian Athletes Now booth.  A few weeks before the race they asked people to sign up and try to raise $208 dollars for the 2008 Olympics.  So I signed up to join their team and with the help of my generous friends raised $360 for CAN.  As a side benefit I got an awesome goody bag containing a shirt and some other great stuff from CAN.  

Gathered up all the stuff I needed for the race.  Phone my friend Julia and she came over to try on the two new Running Skirts I bought her.  This lead me to determine that I really needed to go back to the expo for 2 more skirts for myself.  So I did that early Saturday afternoon.  Then I checked into my hotel and did a bit of shopping on Bank Street.  Next walked over the race site and watched the 5K start and finish.  Wandered along the canal for a bit and missed the 10K start (OOPS!) so I headed over the finish and worked my way down till I found a place to watch.  Set myself up with my lawn chair about 500 m back and dug out my crochet.  Sat there working on a simple afghan and cheering on runners till almost the bitter end.  Saw my friends Pushpa and Ingrid go by and enjoyed encouraging people.  After that I headed back to the hotel.  I laid out my stuff and spent a few hours reading a good book.  Then I set my alarm for 5 am and turned out the light.

Sunday - Race Day

Woke up at 4:45 and decided I might as well get up.  Showered and dressed and started working on eating my breakfast.  I packed up my gear and the dragged my stuff down to my car, which was parked in the free underground garage across the street.  Then back to my room for one more bathroom break before heading over to the race.  The greatest thing about being so close is that I never had to get into the bathroom line at the start.  I just entered my corral and stayed there as the crowd gathered.  I looked for Joanne from TO but didn’t see her. 

	Here I am trying to stay warm before the start of the race.  Temp was about 12C at this point, though it felt cooler as there was a slight breeze and I was standing in the shade.
	One of the official photographers wandered by and snapped this picture. Notice the goofy guy behind us doing the double Peace signs.  LOL!
	This is a view of our starting corral, second from the back.  That monument off in the distance is about a block past the start.

Before you knew it, we were off.  The initial running temps were perfect.  It was around 12C and with a light wind and clear sky.  I was very comfortable and very quickly there was a litter of discarded shirts, jackets and gloves along the course.

	After passing the start we head up Elgin Street towards the Parliament Buildings.
	A slightly better view of the Parliament Buildings.  Directly across from them there is a statue of Terry Fox sitting on the sidewalk.  I detoured off the course slightly to touch the leg of the statue before continuing on.
	Running along Wellington.
	Running along Wellington.
	This is the new War Museum (which I still haven't found the time to visit yet.)
	Heading past the War Museum and along Booth Street into Hull.
	Chaudiere Falls visible to the left (West) of the bridge.
	The view of downtown and the Parliament Buildings to the right (East) of the bridge. Those few wisps of clouds were quickly gone and it was a clear sunny day.
	Somewhere in Hull I saw this really cute Police Car. I also saw a truly frightening gas price of $1.34 per Litre.  YIKES!
	Heading back into Ottawa from Hull we had a great view of the back of the Parliament Buildings including the Library.
	The official photographer snapped me coming across the bridge.
	The official photographer snapped me coming across the bridge.

As we wound through the early section of the course I kept my eyes open for a portajohn opportunity.  But alas, every time there was a portajohn, there was also a line 4-5 runners deep.  I kept pressing on a bit further.  Finally around 14.5K I decided I was unable to go much further without a bathroom stop.  So I asked a nice family along the route if I could use their loo.  They obliged and I had the most deluxe bathroom pitstop of my day.  I felt much better after that, but sadly I had to make more stops later in the course.  I think I ended up stopping 6 times along the route.  My GI was not pleased with me.

This is one of the awesome Cheering stations set up along the early-middle section of the course. I'm guessing this was somewhere around 15 or 16K.

I ran along, chatting with people sometimes, thanking spectators and volunteers, waving at people and generally grinning ear to ear.  I walked through the water stops and ran the rest of the time.  As it was getting hotter, I also began dousing myself with water whenever I could.  That helped a lot.  Around the 19K mark there was an older gentleman who had a bag of bananas and who was passing out half bananas to the runners.  I thanked him profusely and took one.  It was amazing.  Within 15 minutes my legs felt much better.  I got some Vaseline from a helpful volunteer.  My water baths had been eroding the bodyglide on my thighs and I was starting to feel chaffed.

Finally I had reached the half way mark.  I wasn’t feeling great, but I wasn’t dying either.  I decided to run a bit further and see how things went. 

Just past the halfway mark I snapped this picture of myself to show how hot I was getting.  Notice how red and sweaty I am.  Um... scratch that... notice my healthy GLOW :)

As the course continues we merge in with the Half Marathon runners.  The course is suddenly very busy and lined with throngs of screaming people.  The energy is amazing.  I stick to the curb and slog along as the half runners stream by me.

	This group of Belly Dancers were part of the crowd cheering us on and providing entertainment along the course. There were also many groups of musicians sprinkled along the route which was awesome.
	I hear my name and see my friend Kelly Ambrose from Toronto waving at me from across the street.  I sneak through the crowd for a quick hug and photo before continuing along.  Here is the photo Kelly snapped.  I'm guessing this was around the 23K mark.

Eventually the half runners veer off, and the full marathoners continue along.  Suddenly the course goes from busy to desolate.  There are very few people in sight and they are all walking. 

Along this section I saw this lovely boat moored in the Rideau Canal. The name of the boat is the Fair Jeanne which reminded me of my girls group which includes a friend named Jeanne.

I am still shuffling along and begin slowly picking people off.  Gradually I catch up to someone and it turns out to be Joanne from Toronto.  She is having a very bad day and walking.  I think we were in the 28^th kilometer somewhere. 

Here's a picture of Jo from Toronto with Hogsback Falls in the background.  Joanne is wearing a skirt from RunningSkirts.com I rave about how great the skirts are all the time and I have converted a number of runners over to being skirted.  Too bad I don't get a commission.  Also notice that Jo looks plenty hot.  The sun was brutal.

I stayed with Jo for a while, past the 30K marker and left her at the next bathroom stop as I continued on alone.  I was hot and tired.  I had also determined that walking hurt more than running.  My running wasn’t fast, but it was still faster than my walking.  So I shuffled along.  Shortly after leaving Jo, the course comes to a big bridge.

	It is hard to really see how steep this bridge is.  But trust me, it is steep. Ahead of me are Louise Rachlis (right) and Marilyn Smith (left) Last year I was determined to run up this bridge.  This year that wasn't really an option. Notice the sign taped to the post at right.
	There were some AWESOME signs posted along the route to provide inspiration. I only photographed this one.  But they were all helpful.

The big bridge was tough, but after that the course is flatter and there were some blooming lilacs and the general green of spring to appreciate. 

	At the Arboretum water stop I spied these funky tulips in the flower bed and had to snap a picture of them.
	And of course I had to take a picture of one of the many beds of tulips blooming  near Dows Lake.

Finally just after Dows Lake and the beds of Tulips, the course merges with the half marathon route again.  There are throngs of people walking the half.  This helps me as I have more people to work on passing with my slow shuffle.  The last 5K was tedious.  It seemed like the finishline was never getting any closer and we were seeing people walking home with their medals on.  And I knew I was terribly chaffed from my sports bra and all the water I had been dousing myself with.  Finally I passed through the last water stop and was in the final stretch.  I pushed myself slightly so I could beat that 5 hour 30 minutes mark.  One of the hardest parts was actually switching lanes so I could finish on the right as directed by the signs.  But I did it.  Hopefully this will lead to a decent finish line photo since there were fewer marathon finishers around me. 

	I think this was taken somewhere along the canal.  But I'm not 100% sure where.
	Finally at the finish.  Don't get too excited though.  I have not qualified for Boston. That is the Half Marathon clock behind me.
	Here is an angle of my finish with the Marathon Clock behind me.  That is my gun time.  Chip time was slighly faster. Note that I am still trying to run.
	Here is the finish with both clocks visible.
	More finish shots.
	It's almost like I am running in SLO MO
	Headed throught he finish line and ran into Kerry-Anne and her daughter Emily. They were volunteering and Emily was a spray girl. She spritzed me and it was HEAVENLY!
	Finally done.   Another pic by the official photographers.

Before I left the recovery area I asked a stranger to snap my picture. As you can see, I am upright and still smiling.  I am also very red and hot.

After the race - The Stats

Sportstats results:
5:32:56 (Clock),
5:29:41.4 (Chip),
Pace 7:49/K, (Sportstats is listing my pace as 7:54, but it works out to 7:49)

Placings:
178/196 Women 35-39,
1065/1215 Women,

Splits:
1:13:32 (10K) - pace 7:21/K
2:36:50 (21.1K) - pace 7:26/K
3:48:08 (30K) - pace 7:36/K

Calculated paces for each leg:

National Capital Marathon - May 27, 2007

• Ron Horton, Penguin from Charlotte, NC and founder of the Ron Horton School of Minimum Effort Marathon Training.  How to get to the finish line, still healthy, enjoying the day, but without ruining your life.
• Sue Armstrong, volunteer leader with the Kanata Motionware Running Club, marathon and ultra runner, inspiration and friend.
• Dev Paul, runner, skier, Ironman tri-geek and poster on Xtri.com and Ottawa-based triathlon list TriRudy.com
  

John Bingham and I at the Spenco booth.

	Getting ready at the hotel.  I am wearing my new socks, sporty new red Running Skirt, and comfy Bondiband headband
	Toe socks.  Look odd, feel odd, but work great.

	Just before the race I handed over my jacket to my husband and prayed for the best. (I was dithering about keeping it as it felt cold.  But on the other hand I didn't want to carry it for 5 hours either.  In the end I handed it over and I was glad I did.)
	On my hands I had written a few inspirational messages: -  "Suzanne" the name of my friend who passed away from Breast Cancer earlier this month - "RunLizRun.com" for Liz - "Believe" to help me believe in my 5 hour marathon goal and work for it
	While I was heading to the start (to line up at the back) I saw an official photographer and had this pic snapped.

The start of the marathon. (I am way at the back and invisible in this photo.)

This is a picture of the runners just past the start line and heading up Elgin Street. Again, since I started at the back of the marathon I am still behind the runners in the photograph.  It is truly awesome watching the sea of runners stretch ahead of you as you run up this small rise at the start of the race. One of my favourite memorials is visible at the top of the photo.  The National War Memorial was originally erected to commemorate Canadians who died in World War I.  The memorial has 22 bronze figures representing all branches of the military.   And they are dragging one bronze canon.  When I first saw this memorial I was living in Ottawa as a student.  The figures, 1/3 larger than life size, with snow dusting their helmets, seemed so mysterious. Eventually the memorial was modified to commemorate all Canadian war dead.  In spring 2000 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was also added to this square.

Here we are early in the race near the corner of Sparks Street.  Yes we have travelled one whole block. Finally the back of the pack runners are visible.  (I am on the far right in my comfy skirt.)

This picture was taken on the walking bridge - somewhere in the 9th kilometer.  I am running, even though my feet look like they are solidly on the ground.

This is somewhere past the halfway mark when I was running south along the canal with the Half Marathon runners.  (They have blue bibs.)  I believe I was looking across the canal at the faster runners who were on their way to the finish line. Note:  The winners, both male and female, were already finished by this point.

	Here is a frame from the movie my husband took of me running towards him.  (That explains why the picture is a bit grainy.) Here is a link to the full movie Andre shot as I was running towards him. Did I mention that I think my husband is awesome for standing in the rain cheering runners on for a couple of hours?  I'm one lucky woman.
	The medal at home being weighed.  It is 5.25 ounces.  WOW!

My finish.  Time on left is the Marathon Clock time. Time on the right is the Half Marathon Clock time. My official Clock time was 5:02:10, and my Chip time was 4:59:00.  Yeah - a sub-5 hour time.

	Hitting the finish line mats.  YEAH!
	Finished and airborne.  COOL!
	Here is a picture the ASI people took of the medals.  As you can see they are really beautiful!  The central section of the medal even spins.
	Wet and a bit bedraggled but pleased as punch to be done.  WOO HOO!

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