One of our favourite race days of the year has always been the Fall Colours Run in Cumberland on Thanksgiving weekend. I have a feeling though that if you asked my kids now what their favourite race is, the Run for the Animals race would win hands down. All I can say is if you have kids, take them to this race next year. Once they are done running there are lots of activities to keep them busy and perhaps even tire them out a little. There were several bouncy castle type activities (for a fee), lots of free give-aways, food trucks, vendors, crafts tables and face painting. But don’t just bring your kids, bring your pets too. For the most part it was dogs – hundreds of dogs – but we also saw a pet bunny, a very large cat in a stroller, and a miniature pony who had all come to join in the fun. And there were activities for the animals too; agility obstacles, kiddie pools to lay in, and dog contests. Clearly not the typical race!

Today was the first time this race has been held, though it piggybacked on a longtime event called the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon. The day is used as a fundraising event for the Ottawa Humane Society. When I told Evan about it he instantly wanted to participate since he is always keen to raise funds for animals. He and his brother Luke have for several years forgone birthday gifts from friends and instead have asked for donations to the Gatineau SPCA, the shelter from which we rescued our chocolate lab mix, Charlie who also came along for the fun today. The running events were a 1k kids race, a 3k companion (run with your dog) race, plus the 5 and 10k distances. We signed up Luke, who is 8, for the 1k. Evan has outgrown the 1k races even though at 10 he is still young enough to qualify for them. Since he weighs exactly the same amount as our dog, it didn’t seem very safe to put him in the 3k with Charlie. I am pretty sure Charlie would have towed him all over – and off – the course. So for him it would be the 5k race, his third one but first time running without me to help him control and maintain his pace.

The boys did a fantastic job. Luke ran the 1k in 4:40 which I am pretty sure (actually quite sure) I cannot match. He finished the race with an amazing look of determination, particularly when one runner passed him. He kicked it into high gear, passed a runner and finished in third place. And while 1k racers don’t receive placing medals, I have promised Luke that we will find him some “bronze” ribbon to go with his medal.

Luke celebrating his third place.

Once Luke’s race was done it was time for the 5k. It was almost entirely an adult field so I reminded Evan not to be discouraged if he was at the back of the pack. He had my old Garmin on to help him figure out his pace but it is always questionable whether the watch will be a help or hindrance since he can get a little distracted by it. I have to admit that it crossed my mind that half way through the race he could get frustrated and decide to quit. However, he proved I should have more faith in him as he was nowhere near the back of the pack. In fact, with a time of 29:23 (!!!) he was the 44th out of 125 runners to cross the finish line. And while there was no under 13 age category he still managed to be second in the men under 20 category. What a boost to his confidence that was! For the second race in a row he was called up to receive an award. This time instead of a lanyard, he was given a second medal with engraving.

Evan receiving his second place medal for the men under 20 category.

And what better way to end a race day than entering the dog competitions. The boys entered Charlie in the largest dog contest, however his 80 lbs was no match for the winner who weighed

Evan and Charlie in the dog/owner look-alike contest.

in at 180lbs. Evan then entered in the dog/owner look-alike contest. We thought they looked pretty great together but the gentleman who won did actually look like his dog.

Evan and Luke with Charlie in the largest dog competition (note the size of the dog behind them!

As for the race itself, there was some confusion regarding the bibs and timing chips. Somehow a lot of bibs were handed out with the same number. In the kids race most of the kids had bib #1. Both my kids had to change their timing chips because other runners had the same bib numbers. All the changes led to having to go to Sportstats twice after the race when Luke’s results didn’t show up at all and Evan was missing his age category. But to the credit of the Sportstats crew they seemed very calm under pressure, timing chips were changed quickly and results were adjusted within minutes. This was a first time race and was organized by two groups, the Humane Society and Somersault, so some confusion could be expected. I am sure as they work things out next year things will go a little more smoothly. The course itself seemed well laid out and was a beautiful route starting a Dow’s Lake and heading up the canal. Needless to say I have already promised the boys that we will be returning next year and I will definitely be planning to run the 10k.

One final picture – check out Charlie meeting the winner of the smallest dog award:

Running is a mental sport. And yes I do mean that in more ways than one. In my never ending quest to maintain a positive attitude about my upcoming first marathon, I have convinced myself a silver lining can be found in injury. After taking 7 days off following that 25k run and 5k limp back to the car, I felt there was enough improvement in my ITB and hip to start very short runs. Feeling much like a beginner again, I have completed a 3k, a 5k and a 7k in the last four days. For each of these runs I stopped regularly and stretched. Obviously these distances are not going to prepare me well for the marathon. So what is the silver lining? Well, I have struggled throughout training to run at a slower pace. This makes me sound like I am some kind of super fast runner but I can assure you that I am not. I am, and probably will always remain, the average runner like my blog title suggests. I do though have a certain pace I like to run, no faster, no slower. But right now I am paranoid that I will injure myself more, so suddenly running a slow pace seems like a necessity and as a result is easier. It is also not frustrating me to stop and stretch throughout the run. Normally that would drive me crazy. So a little patience is working its way into my psyche. As that patience becomes a part of my runs, I am finding it possible to go back to my original goal; simply finish a marathon. No time expectations, no worrying about having to walk parts of it. It has become too easy to fall into a slightly bizarre marathon mentality where a 25k run is a huge disappointment because it wasn’t far enough. Seriously…25k, that is in itself an accomplishment and yet I spent a week upset by that run.

As I enter the last 6 weeks of training, still not having run farther than 26k, perhaps my new mantra should simply be “Patience, patience, patience.”

I have to take a moment to thank friends and people I only know through blogs for so much support and encouragement after my frustrating attempt to run 30k last week. I have had so many positive thoughts passed on to me both in person and by email for which I am very grateful. So many words of wisdom, so many perspectives and so many pieces of solid advice, thank you, thank you, thank you!

I have now taken 6 days off from running, my longest stretch since last spring. I am still stretching, icing and foam rolling my ITB and it certainly feels better than a few days ago. The big test of course will be when I actually go out and run again which will hopefully be tomorrow.

In my attempt to be positive, I have tried to think about why having a week off at this particular time might be good for me. Here is the list I have come up with:

1. It really was hot and humid this week, not ideal running weather. That said, I couldn’t actually tell you the temperatures of the past few days because I have discovered that when I don’t need to schedule runs I never bother to check the forecast.

2. I have just enough of a cold to feel a little under the weather. Having some time to rest can’t be a bad thing.

3. On Tuesday I go back to work teaching. This past week I needed to start easing out of summer mode and into working mode. Not having to run let me focus on other things. And since running does not result in a paycheque and teaching does, well the latter does have to take priority sometimes.

4. Normally after 2 or 3 days off I get antsy to run again. That didn’t happen this week. Maybe it was just because of my change in focus, but I can’t help but wonder if maybe it wasn’t only my body that needed a break. Maybe a mental break was needed as well.

5. Best part of my break – I got to be a spectator at a race instead of a participant. My son Evan ran the 3k race at the Canadian this weekend. We also took one of my friends for the 8k and her daughter who was also doing the 3k. I got to be chauffeur, gear-holder and head cheerleader. I don’t always get to cheer on my kids at races as I am quite often out on my own course when they are crossing the finish line. This day was particularly exciting since for the first time Evan made it into the top 3 of his age group :)!!! He received a “bronze champion” lanyard and even had the opportunity to stand up on a podium. Needless to say I was one proud mommy and he was a happy boy.

So, it wasn’t a bad week off and hopefully I will be able to ease back into my training this week. A few days ago I was looking at taking time off as something of a disaster. Now I am thinking, who’s to say a holiday in the middle of marathon training is a bad thing? Maybe I am the type of person who will in fact thrive from the break. And if not, well it is not like I was trying to break a world record or qualify for Boston. I just need to get myself across that finish line on October 20th. Seven more weeks to go…