Avis' first 10k in Ottawa--the truth!

[Avis]

This is long, I tried to edit it, but I wanted to get it all down while it was still fresh.

The weekend in Ottawa held many firsts for me. It was my first 10k race. It was my first really, really big race, with 10,500 participants (my largest race prior to this was the Zombie 5k with 1000 undead). It was my first race at a temperature above 7 degrees. It was my first “destination” race. And best of all, it was my first opportunity to meet some Maniacs in real life!

I will preface my report with a few facts. I started running after age 50, about two-and-a-half years ago. I was not athletic in my youth, and it took me a full year of hard work to even run for 30 minutes. My training is always and ever restrained by chronic sciatica problems, but within those restraints, my training is consistent and determined. I have run no farther than 10k at a time, and I have done this exactly four times in my life. The fourth time was on Saturday in Ottawa.

Miss*Smiles and I had arranged to meet up in the green corral. It was a bit of a challenge for us to find each other—we only knew each other from our avatars, but at last I found her, true to her name, smiling and positive. The plan was for us to run together, along with her friend, A, as much as possible. The goal time was for something less-than 70 minutes, although I knew that for me, that would be an ambitious goal.

The huge mass of runners wasn’t the issue I thought it would be. You only had to deal with the runners around you. No one was stinky, and almost everyone was polite, apologizing when we bumped elbows or kicked someone’s foot.

Now stories will differ here. I felt pushed a bit by Miss*Smiles’ pace; she will claim I was pushing her. She will write her own report. I will just say that I started out a tad too fast and that just before the 3k mark, we got separated. It was I who fell behind, and I never saw Miss*Smiles again until after the finish line.

So here is the part of the race of which I am not proud. At about this time, I was swept with a wave of—what was it? It wasn’t overwhelming fatigue, it was just...I started walking. I was suddenly lacking in energy. It was like I was split in two and was watching myself. Part of me was scrambling for motivation, and part of me was perfectly content to keep walking. I finally bargained with myself: “You can walk until the water station, get a good drink, and then you are going to run again,” The other me: “Why?” I am thinking, what the heck is going on here and what am I going to do, walk the whole race? People were running by me by the dozen, and I felt a vague envy as I watched them. Even some older ladies of the Ottawa Walkers Club passed me! It’s hard to describe the shame and discouragement I felt.

At last the water station came. I took a glass, swallowed some, and started to run again. Ugh, my legs were heavy, especially my right leg. I resorted to my old tricks. I recited the rhymes I had made up when I was a beginning runner: each rhyme is 50 steps, and there are 20 verses. I told myself to do the 20 verses then I could walk again. But I soon lost count and I was now at the ramp to go up over the bridge. That incline was nothing compared to the hills I had run in Sherbrooke. I think that gave me some hope. Over the bridge and down, and my mood finally levelled out.

There was more walking after that, but I never did sink back into that awful mental state again. The race got better and better as it went. Around 6k I began to enjoy the crowds and slap hands with the kids I passed. The runners I was with now were all in the same condition: sweating, running when they could, walking when they had to, encouraging each other and soldiering on.

At about 6.5k, I struck up a friendship with a small, gregarious woman who was sometimes ahead of me, sometimes behind me. “I’m going to run along with you, if you don’t mind,” I said. She and I had a good chat. Her name was Sylvie, and she was from Montréal. I told her about RunningMania and she told me about her running group. She said, “There is a water station coming up and I’m going to walk and drink.” I agreed that sounded good, and I took two glasses, dumped one over my head, while Sylvie prodded me to drink all of the other one. I ran the rest of the race without walking. I lost contact with Sylvie in the last kilometre, as I was finally feeling I could push a bit, and I never saw her again. But I want to thank her here, for the company and the joy.

At about 400 metres, my Beloved C. was waiting with her camera and encouragement. She took one of the best racing pictures I have ever had taken. Then it was 300 metres, 200, and I decided to run harder and harder, finishing with a smile and a sprint. The race took me an hour an 18 minutes.

Oh, I had blisters, and I was hot. Those aren’t the reasons for anything. This race gave me a puzzle to solve. I learned something from this race, and I still have a long way to go.

[Sandra]

Way to tough it out! congrats on your first 10k race!

[Engmomma]

Congrats Avis. What a great race. Glad you got to meet MissSmiles but she is a tad shy so wasn't sure if you would be able to warm up to her fast.

[mas_runner]

Sounds like an eventful race, well done for gutting it out. You learn something from each race, break mental barriers. Keep on running and racing and you will get better and better.

[purdy65]

Avis. You articulated very nicely all of the physical and mental stages you were doing through! It shows some determination!

And hanging with maniacs, no matter what the race outcome, is totally worth it!

Big congratulations! Well done!

[La]

Congrats, Avis! You really can claim that "We try harder" slogan now!

Evening races are tough, especially when it's hot.

[BJH]

Congratulations on finishing your first 10k race. Your last line sums it up well. Every race is a learning experience and having this written down will give you a valuable reference in the future. Enjoy the journey.

[Kelodie]

Good job telling The Mental who's in charge!

It was good to meet you at the M&G yesterday. I hope the drive back to Sherbrooke was good.

[Hammie]

Congratulations! You have come a remarkably long way in a short time, and it has been fun to follow your journey so far. I'm looking forward to following you as you meander across the country!

[framboisine]

Congrats on your first 10K race!!! It was nice meeting you on the race course

[Habs4ever]

Congratulations Avis! You did good. So happy to read this report. You pushed past the barriers and kept going.
It's been great to see the progress and determination that you've had and looking forward to what the future has in store.

[oobinsnaffa]

I loved reading your report, you continue to inspire me. Congrats on your first 10k! I hope I learn half as much as you have when I attempt my first 10k in September.

[chunkymonkeymelonhed]

Congratulations Avis!! I am so happy for you- you persevered and did not let the fact that the "going got tough" stop you. You are AWESOME.
It's been so fun to follow you to this race and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish next. Good job Maniac.

[AndyM]

Congratulations! RAcing is hard! And you did great.

[scrumhalfgirl]

Congratulations!!! I loved all the emotions captured in your race report!

Now share that FABULOUS picture with us!!

[carm]

Congrats on your first 10K, Avis and sorry to have missed you at the M&G. You battled through some challenges this race but as was mentioned above, we all learn something from every race. These lessons will help prepare you for future training runs and races - all for the good!

[Robinandamelia]

Congrats on your first 10K!

[Stampie]

Congrats on getting your first 10K completed in less than ideal conditions, your dedication is inspiring. Great race report Avis and cherish this first ‘big’ race. I can’t comment on everyone else in RM, but I do believe we’ve all gone through what you experienced during your race as some point in our own race. It’s these challenges that make us better runners as we can learn from this experience. Rest up & relax, then push on to Sudbury & beyond!

Like Miss*Smiles said in your journal... “please know we need a do-over race together” A do-over race is well in order and you two can push each other to a sub 70min finish together!

[Avis]

Thanks, everybody. Framboisine, I'm sorry I neglected to mention our encounter on the race course! It was fun to have you see the RM orange man symbol on my shirt, and come up to speak to me. I was hoping would someone would do just that! (By the way--how did your 10k turn out?)

I'm feeling better about the race as time goes by. It was a humbling, if instructive experience. It was humbling to write up and post a race report for a race where you didn't do your best, and you can't blame it on a cramp, or the water, or a wardrobe malfunction...But I own everything that happens, for good or bad in my running. It's the only way I can keep improving!

[Engmomma]

But I own everything that happens, for good or bad in my running. It's the only way I can keep improving!

There is no bad running.

Just being there in a race is more then 99% of the population does on a daily basis.

Be proud of what you have accomplished and don't worry about everyone else.

[Miss*Smiles]

So proud of you.
So happy we met.

I hope you come back next year!

[Jwolf]

Congratulations! You've come so far in your running and it's so nice to see.

[barebuns1]

Congrats on finishing a 10km. Blisters are always hard to fight through.

[horselady]

Your report made me smile from ear to ear. Yes it was hard, but you got it done and dealt with the mental stuff we all deal with. Congratulations! Very nice to meet you as well at the Meet and Greet! Hope to see you at other events!

[Ken B]

Your report made me smile from ear to ear. Yes it was hard, but you got it done and dealt with the mental stuff we all deal with. Congratulations! Very nice to meet you as well at the Meet and Greet! Hope to see you at other events!

My thoughts exactly!! Thanks for cheering on Sunday as well. ( Now that I know that it was you cheering and not you passing me in the half!! )