Have a running book, product,
or DVD you would like reviewed? Mail to:
The Phoenix Runners
215 Av 53e
Lachine, QC
H8T 2Z3

Race Reports - 2007 Ottawa Marathon - Johnny's Report

"Johnny's really going to do a full marathon in Ottawa?" Is probably the question I heard in different running circles including Phoenix in the coming weeks of this event. Came back from an ankle injury, joined Phoenix in November 2006 to remotivate my dormant running needs. Thanks to SteveEh's PR. Over the winter, I managed a busy soccer refereeing schedule, played in a Thursday night league and trained inconsistantly for the first 11 out of the 18 weeks of the Marathon Program. Looking back at that I fully understand why those questions surfaced. And looking how I performed during the race validates somewhat that.

I woke up early after a good night rest on Saturday to run a steady 3 KM. I did that at around 7AM to start visualizing the race day. What a beautiful day. Went back home to get ready for my trip, picked up my girlfriend Veralyn and off we were heading towards Ottawa at around 10:30 AM. Arrived at the Expo at around 1PM, traffic was not so bad. Left at around 3PM to go to my friends' house, where I would eventually stay, in Kanata. Since my friend had registered for her first 10K race, I couldn't miss that so I drove back downtown to witness her achievement and witness for the first time some really fast runners. Amazing. That really got me excited for my own race. Got back to Kanata at around 8:30 PM. Only got around eating at around 10PM, a little late but I'm kind of used to it. Not a good habit to keep. Only got to bed a little past 11 PM . On Race day, I woke up at around 4:30AM to start the drinking water, eating, my stretching in the shower ritual. Woke up my I "hate early wake-ups" girlfriend at 5:30am to get ready.

Got to the race and into my corral next to the 3:45 bunny 3 minutes before the start. Couldn't find Suzie Q and Alison who I had planned to run with. Once the race started, I saw Running Room's founder John Stanton cheering people on. I found that funny, partly because this was my first race attempt that I was not going to do the RR's 10s and 1s. The first half was great, I was slightly ahead of the bunny. Alison and Suzieq caught up to me around the 25 K. Alison was smiling at that point, feeling GREAT, SuzieQ didn't say much but looked good. Congrats ladies.

At the 34 K, my right hamstring started tightning up, that's never happened before. Didn't train enough to overcome that kind of pain. Listened to my body and started walking for a minute after every 2K afterwards. The cheers, the crowd, my girlfriend and of course my Phoenix supporters carried me through the finish line sub 3:50.

I am pleased, I really am for a comeback race. Can't wait for the next race. Congrats to all the other week-end racers.