Favourite moments from the 2017 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
It’s been over a month since the 2017 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend and, by now, we hope you’ve stretched, foam-rolled and recovered! These long summer days have got us thinking about last May, so we thought we’d check in with some runners and about their experience of the weekend, including favourite moments, what they learned, and what’s up next!
Jamie Kronick
Race: Achieved a personal best in the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon Time: 03:23:47.4
- What was your favourite moment from the weekend?
There’s nothing quite like lining up in the corral minutes before the start of a marathon; being able to take a look around at all of those strangers who are in this together; having an unspoken understanding that you’ve all sacrificed in order to prepare to be there, in that moment. Experiencing the energy in that moment before the race begins has such an impact on me.
- Was there anything you learned about yourself?
I learned to trust my process. In preparation for this marathon I went in with a mentality of acceptance as opposed to a mentality of hope. I accepted my outcome, whatever it may have been. In training my body, but even more importantly my mind, I was able to find peace and trust the training process which would ultimately translate on race day. It came as no surprise to me that I was able to not only run the fastest marathon of my life, but more importantly, the most successful mental race of my life.
- What’s up next on your running calendar?
I had been flirting with the idea of doing my first 50 miler at Haliburton this September, but my travel schedule this summer is just too extensive to prepare adequately. My best buddy and running partner Rhiannon Vogl and I are talking about possibly running the Philadelphia Marathon in November.
Dayna Pidhoresky
Race: Canadian women’s champion in the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon Time: 02:36:07.8
- What was your favourite moment from the weekend?
Finishing the marathon! I was excited and relieved to be running down the finishing shoot knowing I was going to qualify for the World Championship team. Upon breaking the tape my husband/coach came up to me and said, “You did it!” It’s a satisfying feeling to accomplish a big goal.
- Was there anything you learned about yourself?
My biggest takeaway from the race was to not lose focus during the middle portion. My pace really took a turn between 20-30k. I started to focus more on the heat and the fact that there was so much more to go instead of staying in the moment. Eventually I got out of that slump, my pace got back on track, and I finished strong, but next time I will be more cognisant of pushing through those middle kilometres.
- What’s up next on your running calendar?
I’m running the Scotiabank Vancouver Half this Sunday to try to get my legs moving again. Post-marathon is/was important to find the right balance between recovering and starting to train for the main event on August 6: the marathon at the IAAF World Championships in London, UK.
Domenic Caminiti
Race: As captain of the Extra Mile Crew Domenic and a group of dedicated volunteers helped runners reach the finish line during the Scotiabank Ottawa Marathon
- What was your favourite moment from the weekend?
It’s really tough to pick just one moment. Being a part of this team for the past couple years has been an amazing experience. Every time there was a runner who looked to be struggling and walking along, we just walked up to talk with them for a little bit until they felt comfortable to start running again. Every time we could help someone cross the finish line with a smile was my favourite moment, I’d say. One moment in particular that stands out for me was when two runners from the U.S., who were running for a young boy who had passed away, finally crossed the finish line. They dropped down and started to do push-ups to remember the boy. There were a bunch of Extra Mile Crew members in the area, so they all dropped down and started to do them too. So you had around 10 people, all dressed in orange doing push-ups with these two guys. It was really cool to see.
- Was there anything you learned about yourself?
One of the things we learned this year is that there are a lot of people who could use some extra motivation and help getting to the finish line. Before, we typically aimed to help less experienced runners who might struggle towards the end of the race, but sometimes even those people running fast times can use a little boost! So looking to help those runners means we might look to start a bit earlier next year. Luckily though, we had a really, really great crew of people this year that wouldn’t leave the course until the very last runner crossed the finish line.
- What’s up next on your running calendar?
I like to get out and go running a few times a week, but no major races are in the calendar for me just yet. But we’re already looking forward to the return of the Extra Mile Crew in 2018!
Speaking of 2018, registration for the 2018 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend will be opening on Sept. 1!