I've submitted my second assignment for the course-from hell. Woohoo! But just 12 hours later, it was returned (unmarked) by my tutor for revisions because it’s improperly “formatted”. Crap. Those revisions are made and now, while I wait for the next exciting response from psycho tutor (I hope she never finds this blog), I’m taking a break to file my race report for the National Capital Race Weekend.
In an effort to avoid porta-potty breaks while running the Ottawa half-marathon, I went to the bathroom six times in the two hours before the race. Maybe it was nerves, or maybe it was just something my body needed to do that morning. Whatever. I lined up, used the facilities, then got right back in the line again. And again. And again.
Still, as I stood in the crush of over 9,000 runners waiting to start the race at on Sunday morning, I had just one thought: “I really have to pee.”
That could have been a bad moment. Fortunately for me, though, one of the very important skills I’ve learned as a working mom* is how to Hold It. Seriously, there are times when, after a full day of meetings, I am running from the office to the car and thinking, “Maybe I’ll have a chance to pee after dinner.” So running two hours with a full bladder? Piece of cake.
That was the inspirational start to a half-marathon whose theme seemed to be, “It could have been worse.” Sure I was 10 minutes slower than my PR, but at least I didn’t log a PW (personal worst). I squeaked in 3 minutes ahead of that benchmark.
Yes, it was one of the first really warm days of the season, which can be tough when your body is not yet acclimatized to hot weather running. However, there was a beautiful breeze blowing across the canal for much of the run.
True, my Garmin decided to “work to rule” just three minutes into the run and showed nothing but the time of day for the entire run. But I was able to keep the two-hour pace bunny in my sites for the first 11 kilometres of the race. Then I spent the final 10K of the race imagining I could feeling the hot breath of the 2:15 pace bunny on the back of my neck.
So, while it wasn’t the most transcendentally positive race experience I’ve ever had, it certainly wasn’t anywhere near the most dreadful.
Time: 2:09
Place (gender/age): 166/644
What was more inspiring was watching the rest of my family participate in race weekend events on the day before. Kudos to The Runner I Married for running 5K with my 12-year old son and his best friend at 5 p.m., then running the 10K with my 15-year old son at 6:30 p.m. Both races were sold out, so he negotiated a huge crush of people along both routes and still managed to finish the race in just over 48 minutes.
The boys did a great job, too. My oldest son, Will, has been keeping a daily health log as an assignment for his grade 9 gym class. When I read his “motivational thought” for the day before the race, I nearly fell off my chair laughing. It said, “At least if I die in my sleep, I won’t have to run 10K tomorrow.” In the end, he ran a PR and lived to tell the tale.
* I have no doubt that stay-at-home moms (who are also working) also deserve the Iron Bladder award. After their morning coffee, they're probably thinking, "Maybe I'll get to pee if the kids have a nap."
Sounds like you ran a smart race! I think I would be lost without my Garmin!
You are such an inspiration to you kiddos! I love that your whole family runs.
I appreciate your comment on my blog. I think some of my funk is mental and some is physical. Your advice is great. I signed up for a 5K for fun in a couple of weeks. No pressure. And I have a couple of new (slow) running friends. Thank God. My old group is just getting faster and faster.
Posted by: Runnermom | June 10, 2009 at 09:36 PM
congrats on the finish. I just don't have an iron bladder. I try to be as empty as possible before a race.
Posted by: arcane | June 12, 2009 at 07:08 PM
Congrats on finishing the race. It was definitely a hot day and a tough run for many people. I have heard many stories similar to yours and I think I used the potty before the race almost as much as you did. I am lucky to not have to use it during the race.
My Garmin is my life line in a race and I would have been lost without it. You are a good runner and I hope you keep it up. I enjoy reading your blog.
Posted by: Nanny Girl | June 14, 2009 at 05:58 PM
It is fun to watch the kids run. It breaks up all the yelling at them I do before and after the races.
Nice job on your half. Not a PW! Bank it.
Posted by: Nitmos | June 23, 2009 at 03:47 PM