I signed up for this race about two weeks before race day after realizing i could piggyback on my husband's work trip. I've wanted to do this race since it started but with doing triathlons and having kids it never made it in the schedule and thinking about it i wasn't likely to make it happen in the near future either. I'd been running on the weekends with my neighbour was doing about 14k. So why not now? I wasn't in fantastic shape for it but i wasn't at zero either.

With that in mind, i signed up for the over 2 hour corral and stayed at the front it when lining up. I was sure i wouldn't aim for sub 2 but i could push it a bit and try to enjoy the day.

It was a slight uphill and turn in the first kilometer as you pass right by parliament and head along there seeing the various government institutions and it opened up along the river. there was lots of space. It was a beautiful morning so i just took it in. The first aid station was playing 'Jump Around' which was fun.

My pace was pretty strong considering and i took some nuun at the aid stations. We crossed into Gatineau, Quebec around 7km and it was definitely the quietest part of the course. Kind of sketchy abandoned industrial lands (one building was being demolished as we passed) and it was definitely rolling but it didn't bother me. i was thinking about porta potties. I kind of had to pee and it stayed with me for a long time but I really didn't want to stop.

We crossed back into Ottawa around the half way mark - i think 10.5k was on the bridge. I passed a veteran running with a service dog. I was pleasantly surprised when we actually turned in the gates of Rideau Hall and ran on the grounds. It looked like the GG's own marching band was out in their full snazzy uniforms. And that was something I loved about this race - there were marching bands in a few spots - Cadet groups, a school group, etc.

I was starting to get tired and then i saw them handing out gels at one aid station and realized i hadn't taken in anything I didn't feel hungry but that wasn't a good reason not to be fueling so i took one of my gels and opened it and then took a quick walk through the next aid station to take liquid with it and then i was on my way again.

I was still feeling strong when i saw my sister and BIL by the Westin. I was so happy to be in the last stretch. I did start to cry where they had photos of fallen soldiers along the road but it was making me hyperventilate so i had to stop looking. It took longer than i liked before we crossed the canal and were on our way to the finish line. But i was able to pick it up for the last bit and felt really good to cross. I was pretty pleased with finishing 2:02:47 - only 3 minutes difference from my spring race!

Trained more specifically ... if i knew i was going to do it.

Not too much. It's a long finishing chute. Got my dog tag medal, got water and walked over to the food area. I met up with my sister at our pre-determined meeting area.


Not specifically training for this race.


I really liked this race. The course is well set up and passes by lots of landmarks. There are quiet sections but they have big aid stations, marching bands and other entertainment. I thought it was really cool to run right on the ground of Rideau Hall (the Governor General's residence) and finishing along the canal at City Hall was very convenient.