Looking ahead

Last year at this time I was suffering from taper madness with two back to back half marathons on the calendar.

The Canada Army Run, is this Sunday and is held in downtown Ottawa. The race supports our military troops and recognizes not only their sacrifices but those of their families as well. It is an emotional race, you run with members of our military who are both healthy and those who have been injured in the line of duty keeping our country free from terrorism.

This year will be no different as Master Corporal Jody Mitic will be running his first half marathon as a double amputee. Jody lost both of his legs while leading an elite sniper team for the Royal Canadian Regiment in Afghanistan. (in the photo with Jody is Phil Marsh, eastern regional director of the Running Room).

Also running, Rick Ball will be attempting a world record for a single leg amputee (Rick did not lose his leg in a military skirmish, but due to a motorcycle accident in 1986).

Best wishes and good luck gentlemen, you are true inspirations and role model's to not only the running community but to every single person in Canada and around the free world.

I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You to our military troops for your never ending courage in serving our country!!

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Canada Army Run debriefing...

For being an inaugural race, it was fantastic!

Knowing there would be a crush of people, we arrived at the Armories very early on Saturday morning to pick up our race kits.

Although the "swag bag" was sparse, it was okay because it really wasn't about that, this race was for the families of the men and women serving in our armed forces and the injured and disabled military personnel. The technical shirt is awesome....

I was disappointed that red technical shirts were not available to purchase at the expo, in my brain I had fully expected some sort of red shirt with "Support our Troops" on the back of it. So, me being me, wrote to the founder of the Running Room with my sentiment and believe it or not, I received an email back from John Stanton within the hour! Even after he had been announcing the runners coming across the finish for over eleven hours. He is taking my idea to the recap meeting today, Monday, so I'll let you know if I hear anything from that in the future.


Sunday morning the Wooo Hooo's met at my place and we headed downtown to meet up with a couple more by 8 a.m. We were very lucky to be able to congregate indoors at Ottawa's City Hall, it was pretty cool out in the early morning. We stationed ourselves near the doors to see the happenings outside at Confederation Square, yet near enough to the washrooms...

The cannon went off at exactly 09:00 and off we went! I actually ran into the fellow I met at the Ottawa Marathon in May...during that race we stuck together for the last 5 or 6 Km's and it was nice to start off with him for this race!

As always the Wooo Hooo's start off the race together, but run our own races and meet up at the end. Jen and I stuck together at a nice even pace throughout the race. It was a little slower than what I had originally thought about doing, but since I have the Half in Toronto on Sunday I didn't want to leave a lung in Ottawa!


There were so many people we know out running it was awesome. Blogger Nat from See Nat Run had emailed me her bib number earlier in the week so I was on the lookout for her, even though we had never met before! Unbelievably, as we were running a loop portion of the race I ran up behind a woman and for some reason, I turned and checked out her bib number, it was Nat...I looked at her and said Nat? She was plugged into her music so I leaned into her face and yelled NAT! Thank god it was her otherwise I would have been charged I'm sure!!! How great is that to meet a fellow Blogger. I even had the pleasure to meet "the Man" and "the Boy" in the recovery area....it's a fantastic feeling! The world just keeps getting smaller!

The weather was perfect, a little overcast, cool and pleasant. Later in the run the sun came out and a breeze picked up...it was the perfect fall day!

Downtown Ottawa is always busy along the canal, it is truly an "outdoor city" no matter what the weather. Yesterday was no exception. I could not believe the numbers that were out to support and cheer on the runners! There were people walking, strolling with dogs and kids in tow, there were roller bladers, cyclists (I looked for you Sprocketboy), other runners and there was even a bi-plane cruising along following the crowd for a little while.

The race itself was broken into four events, 5K disabled run, 5K, Half Marathon disabled run, Half Marathon. Trust me there is NOTHING disabled about any of our injured war veterans, they are just so inspirational to be out there running with the rest of us. True courage, strong hearts and self determination, amazing. Thank you for the sacrifice's you have made to keep our country strong and free!!!

I could go on and on, but truly this was one of the best races I've done to date and I'm really looking forward to the Canada Army Run 2009.

What a great way to spend an amazing fall day!

Next week, Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon....look out, I feel a party coming on!

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

What a GREAT Weekend

Saturday

A little eary for the race kit line up

Waiting for the doors to open

waiting some more

SUNDAY

09:00

The starting cannon had gone off!

we found blogger Nat

had a quick hug and a wave for the camera

and we went on our way...

HEY!

continued along the canal

and

We got our Dog Tags!!

What an incredible day!

More tomorrow,

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

Finally here!

This Sunday is the very first Canada Army run! There are over 6,700 runners registered for this event, how awesome is that!!!

When I signed up for this race, I was the fourth civilian woman registered...I thought to myself, am I out of my frigging mind? I'll be running with combat ready runner's and will be left in the dust!

Surprisingly, or not, this race has exploded into an across Canada event along with other countries sending runners to compete to support troops everywhere who are fighting to maintain our freedom.

Of course the Wooo Hooo's are all running now too! We will be picking up our race kits early Saturday morning, no later than 08:00, we want to be there when the doors open at 09:00. It is going to be a zoo! The founder of the Running Room, John Stanton, was instrumental in getting this event off the ground and he will be there throughout the day at his expo, signing books, talking with runners', walkers', and the public in general. I've met John before and he is genuinely interested and supportive of everyone who takes the initiative to get off the couch and take a positive step to a healthy lifestyle.

Sunday will be amazing and yes, I'm taking my camera! There will be runner's young and old, military and civilian...Ottawa will be awash in combat uniforms, brass and a sea of red and white...look for me, I'm the tall blonde wearing red!!!

On a sad note, please stop by and leave your condolence's with Xenia as she mourns the loss of her precious Athena....it is never, ever easy to say goodbye to a life long friend.

I'll leave you with a little brighter, happier subject.

A little birdie told me it was a fellow Ottawa blogger's birthday in the next couple of days....Happy Birthday Nat! Have an awesome run on Sunday if we don't get the chance to meet up!!! I'll be looking for you!

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily

She bang...

...all night long!

Yes, all night there was thunderous banging noises on my rooftop as the oak trees surrounding my house doff their acorns....this has been the hardiest acorn doffing that has happened in years. All summer I could hardly sit out on my back deck because of rain and bugs, now it is worth your life out there trying to dodge falling acorns. My neighbour who lives three houses down was actually wearing a construction helmet the other day while he was cutting his lawn!!

Is mother nature trying to tell us something? Are the trees desperately trying to procreate because of some looming disease or pestilence headed our way? During the summer maple keys were sprouting in my eavestroughs, now acorns are in there sprouting into tiny trees! Mother Nature, WHAT'S UP?

On the running front, I've come to the conclusion I'm running weary. Yes, truth be told I'm starting to feel a little tired and there are two more half marathons to go before I hanging up my kicks for a few weeks.

Eight events in eight months was a stretch this year. It all started New Year's Eve with the Resolution Run, now I'm into September and yes, my running legs are starting to question what I'm up to.

September 21st is our inaugural Canada Army Run...being held in honour of our troops and their families. This race is fashioned after the American Marine Corps., and in reality I am truly getting excited about this race. Anything to support our guys and gals who lay their lives on the line to protect our freedom...THANK YOU!

So, no matter how tired or whiny I'm feeling right now, suck it up princess, because these VIP's don't have the time to think about themselves as they head into the unknown to keep Canada safe. To date, there are over 5,000 runners registered and the cap is 6,000. People, SIGN UP, show our troops your support!

Sunday, September 28th my Half Iron running buddy Anne and I will have the utmost pleasure of running The Toronto Scotiabank Waterfront half marathon with Vickie. Yes, we, the crazy ladies are meeting up to spend the weekend in Toronto! "Shut the door, it could be too much fun"

With any luck we will be meeting up with Tiger, Marci, Marlene and maybe even Vava...(don't know about Vava yet).

So, there you have it, 2008 is just about wrapped up for me running wise. I'll be going to cheer on the runner's I've been pacing at their races this fall. You GO guys, for some of you this will be the longest run of your life...awesome!

Swimming starts in October (have to prepare for next years Tri's...). With any luck we will have great weather right through to November....and yes, I'll be on the road with the bike...

Life's fun if you don't weaken,

Lily