Ottawa Marathon Photo Race Report

Ottawa Marathon Photo Race Report - Full/Ultra Marathon #29

Thrilled to have run the Ottawa full marathon. Just a week ago, did not participate in the Whitby marathon since I was ill. Thankful for the doctor finding nothing physically wrong and by Thursday afternoon, felt much better. Revised my VIA train ticket so I arrived in Ottawa on Saturday late morning and arrived back in Toronto Sunday evening.

 

 

Time-chip (on back) bib

Tech shirt - front

Tech shirt - back

The pair of shoes on the right is my donation. This was the pair I wore in 2012. The expo was very crowded. I did not purchase anything.

Sunday morning view of Rideau Canel and Parliament Buildings.

Sunday 7 AM - at start line.

Headed north on Elgin. Parliament buildings on the left, view of War Memorial.

Chateau Laurier. Checked hotel price - $319/night

Great spot for spectator view! Heading south parallel to Rideau Canal.

In the background is University of Ottawa.

Reached 2 K mark. Incredible 4559 finishers of the Ottawa Marathon!

Aagh! The famous shoe for good luck! This is a famous piece of art.

Reached 5 K mark. There was a time mat here. About to leave running parallel to the Rideau Canal.

6 K.

Little Italy! We head west.

Entertainment on the course.

Volunteers at the Gatorade/water stations. Very well organized and well stocked with tables strategically placed. Located every 3 K.

Spectators!

10 K. Running on Wellington. Good crowds.

Power Gel Station! They were located at 14 K and 28 K. Also on the course was Sponge stations located at 16.9 K, 25 K, 32 K, and 36 K - very helpful when the sun came out and it got humid. Orange and banana stations at 14 K and 28 K as well.

15 K. This is the isolated part of the race - along Ottawa River Parkway.

An out-and-back.

At 18 K mark. About to leave Ottawa for Gatineau, Quebec.

A good reminder of the upward inclines. I had to walk these! Quite a few upward inclines in Gatineau as well as after 32 K.

The bridge taking us into Gatineau.

Half marathon completed! Walked the upward incline. This one was quite steep.

More entertainment on the course.

Nice view in Gatineau.

The Museum of History! I wanted to visit this on Saturday but it would have been too far to walk. The very fast half marathon runners converge with the slower marathon runners.

Alexandra Bridge taking us back to Ottawa.

A circle to stand on - great opportunity to take with Parliament Buildings in the background. Thank you for the spectator taking the photo for me.



Now marathon runners continue heading south on Sussex. Half marathon runners head to Rideau Canal for final few Ks in their race.

Running by the Royal Canadian Mint.

Scenic view!

30 K.

Scenic view. A nice downhill part of the course.



32 K. The sun is now out and shining strong. No shade.

35 K. Run, walk, run, walk, ... gotten humid.

Great sign!

Another creative sign.

Lots of walking now. No energy left - with uphill incline.

Repeat of first couple of Ks.

Great location for inspirational posters with finish line in sight.

There it is - the finish line!

 

Finisher's Medal!

 

Bud wearing our finisher's medal!

YTD = 545.3 K

(32.1% of 1700 K goal completed)

 

 

Next: Niagara Ultra Marathon 50 K on Saturday, June 20, 2015. This is one of my favourite races since it is scenic, with turnaround at Niagara Falls. Racers are very friendly. Looking forward to 4th consecutive year running this race. Also, will be full/ultra marathon #30. 

Update

Did not run the Whitby Marathon this past Sunday. Threw up Saturday night and again Sunday morning :-( All I wanted to do was sleep. I ended up sleeping practically all day on Sunday and all day on Monday. Did not go to work on Tuesday as I slept all day again. Yesterday, went to see a doctor. He said everything was normal. Could be the stomach flu. He told me not to take medication as everything will work itself out. Returned to work today - not 100%. Right now, feel much better. I was worried I would have to "Do not start" the Ottawa Marathon as well. It's a go!

Suprassed 500 K!

Yeah - (finally) surpassed 500 K. Yesterday, 2.5 K before work. I was assigned to another school and needed to report for 9 AM. So I went to Richmond Green area - nice scenes:

YTD = 500.1 K
(completed 29.4% of 1700 K goal)


Found the following article on the Runningmania.com forum: a man run 3H 11M to qualify for Boston Marathon - yet past marathon times are 3H47M or more. So how did he do that? The only photos taken of the runner were at the finish line. There are no time mats during the course. Perhaps he got someone else to qualify for him?? I could not do that. The only way I could run the Boston Marathon is to participant using a travel package or fundraise. http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/05/05/did-boston-marathon-dad-mike-rossi-cheat/

Tomorrow is full/ultra marathon #29: Whitby International Marathon.

two runs this week (so far)

Monday and Wednesday after work = 2.5 K each :-)

This Sunday is the Whitby International Marathon. A small race. I paid $50 this year as I did not meet the due date to sign up when the price was $30 for the marathon. I'll need to bring my own gels. Forecasted weather is sunny and humid (26C) - happy no rain. Did this marathon a couple of years ago and was disappointed with the same tech shirt and finisher's medal the year prior. Hope it is different this year. Not an exciting route as it is 10.5 K to and 10.5 K back (and repeat). However, it is a full marathon and the price is great!

YTD = 497.6 K

Selfie with Bud

Sporting Life 10 K race this morning. 25 000 racers in support of Camp Ooch. Bud's morning walk was to the race as we were spectators:

Bud watching the runners.

Selfie 1 with Bud.

Selfie 2 with Bud.