Half-Marathon Ottawa race weekend

Training for a half marathon at the age of 50 is a challenging but rewarding journey. The discipline, dedication, and perseverance required to make it to race day are not for the faint of heart. However, the sense of accomplishment and anticipation that comes with the event itself make it all worth it. Crossing the finish line is a moment that will be treasured forever, and the memories of the experience will inspire future challenges and goals.

Check out the Ottawa race weekend Video

One of the biggest hurdles I had training for a half marathon is dealing with the physical demands on the body. Running long distances regularly can lead to aches, pains, and even injuries. It took time to build up the necessary endurance and strength, and sometimes setbacks did occur along the way. However, by incorporating my rest days and proper nutrition, I was able to overcome these challenges and continue on the path to race day. Unfortunately and these things will happen I got a major respiratory virus 4 weeks before the race that I had been training for the past 12 months. My running had to stop for 14 days, I could only do a little strength training during that time.  I did recover but realized I was not going to be able to hit my personal best without causing an injury. So I pushed forward because I was going to run that half marathon and finish.

As race day approached, the anticipation was a little overwhelming. The culmination of all the hard work and dedication put into training, and the excitement of the event itself can create a unique energy. From the pre-race rituals, like pinning on a bib and stretching, to the camaraderie of the other runners, race day is a unique experience that can’t be replicated. I had goosebumps once I joined eight thousand other half crazy runners at the starting line, the excitement was incredible. Being a rookie at this type of race I did everything wrong, I told myself to start slow. I didn’t and by kilometre nine I knew I had to slow way down if I was going to finish the race.

During the race, there were ups and downs. The initial adrenaline and excitement did propel me forward, but there were moments of fatigue and doubt. It’s in these moments that the mental strength developed through training came into play. The sense of accomplishment at each mile marker was a powerful motivator to keep pushing forward. Finally, crossing that finish line was a life-changing experience. The sense of accomplishment and pride in what had been achieved is immeasurable. It’s a moment of triumph and joy, and the memories of the race will last a lifetime.