The race was started at 7:00 a.m. under clear skies with a cool breeze keeping the temperature hovering around 15 degrees Celsius. About 37,000 runners were registered to compete over the Ottawa Race Weekend, with more than 100,000 spectators out there in full force, cheering.My preparation for this race went well and had a good taper. I arrived in Ottawa on Thursday before the race to a wonderful surprise waiting at my home stay - flowers and a banner signed by all my friends and team mates wishing me all the best. It bought a tear to my eye. I was so overwhelmed with all the wonderful support that I received from my family, friends and sponsors. I am so grateful for that.
I then moved to a hotel two days out which was closer to the race start. Ottawa is a beautiful city and I got to enjoy it as much as I could while checking out the course and competition, also I got to enjoy some High tea at a fancy Hotel with a wonderful friend.
Race morning was the usual prep of early breaky, stretches and porta loo stops. I was a little nervous but calmed completely when I got to the start line.
The time I wanted to aim for 2:40 – I found out that there wasn’t a pacer for that time. There was one for 2:36 and one for 2:45. But I did overhear that there was a Canadian girl wanting to do the same time and she had bought in her own pacer. So I jumped on that right away. I started with them and went through 10km 20seconds down hmmmmm not good but I thought to myself I had to be patient.
As I continued I noticed our time getting slower so I made the decision to go off on my own. I felt strong and got to 30km when the Canadian girl’s pacer caught me (minus the girl), I asked him nicely if he could help me do my goal time of 2:40. From 30km was a head wind and the only major hill in the race. The pacer said to tuck in behind, soon I realized he was going too slow so at the top of the hill I had to leave him.
I could see two Kenyan girls in front so I focused on them and knuckled down to catch the first one at 35km, the next at 39km. I felt strong but time was ticking quickly and I knew now that I wasn’t going to make 2:40 so the plan was to get under 2:43 which is the qualifying time for World Champs for the NZ team. I then picked up the pace. I was on a mission. With 400m to go I just dug it in (as shown in the pic) so determined to go under that time WHICH I did! 2:42:10 Yippee. Once across the line I was whipped away for a drug test – Well actually a very slow hobble.
I was very happy with my race – apart from the pacing situation – I feel that next time I can’t rely on others – I will bring my own pacer. But all and all for my first marathon and relatively short prep for it – I was very happy and look forward to going faster next time.
Results
1 Asmae Leghzaoui MORROCO 2:27:40
2 Lioudmila Kortchaguina CANADA 2:32:09
3 Kosgei Jerotich KENYA 2:34:27
4 Salomie Getnet ETHOPIA 2:37:21
5 Fiona Docherty NZL 2:42:10
6 Evanline Kimuria KENYA 2:43:51
7 Katarina Janosikova SLOVAK REPUBLIC 2:44:49
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