After-action Report on the 2010 Army Run Half Marathon

A journey of 21.1 kilometers begins with a single step. For me, that single step was taken last year at the 2009 Army Run. After participating in the 5k, I stayed and watched the start of the half marathon. I was so inspired by the energy of those runners and the challenge they faced that as soon as I got home that day, I developed a plan to do the Army Half Marathon in 2010. The first thing I did was register for the 2010 Ottawa Race Weekend Half Marathon, to be held in May. My logic was that I needed a shorter-term goal to work toward—a year was too far away and it would be too tempting to procrastinate. I would train and run the event in May, and then I would do it again for the Army Run in September. Once that registration fee was paid, there was no turning back! To my own surprise, I did stick to my plan, and ran my first half marathon in May, and I can honestly say I enjoyed every step. Once that was under my belt, I signed up for the Army Half Marathon. It was through the support of my friend, former colleague, fellow runner, and Canadian Guardsman Steve Gannon that I came to be sponsored by the Canadian Guards Association. Knowing that I was running for the Guards, and not just for myself, definitely served to keep me on track on those days when I was tempted to cut my training runs short.

Training for an event in September presents its own challenges that were quite different from the ones I had faced while preparing for the May race. For example, I learned that I am much happier running in a snowstorm in February than in the extreme humidity of July. This summer’s heat waves took a toll on my training, but I took the common-sense approach and took rest days when the heat was on. Summer is generally busier, and I had to put more effort into planning to get my runs in. For example, weekends at the cottage began on Saturday after my ‘long runs’, rather than on Friday nights, and the two soccer games I played each week all summer offered great cross-training and speed work all in one.

Race day started (too) early on 19 September. Thankfully, we had perfect weather for running—a bit cool, a nice breeze, and sunshine. The 5km race started at 8:00, and I was there to cheer on Steve and my husband, Carl Kletke, who works with Steve at the Directorate of History and Heritage, as they took off across the start line along with several thousand others (I was able to pick them out of the crowd thanks to Steve’s bright red Canadian Guards hat). It seemed like they were back in no time and it was my turn to line up with a few thousand running buddies. The few minutes before the starting gun goes off (in this case an artillery gun fired by the Bytown Gunners) are the most nerve-wracking of the whole experience, but once it fires, and the start line is crossed, it’s all worth it. It has been said of the half marathon that the first third should be effortless, the second third should feel like a good training run, and the last third will remind you why everyone who finishes gets a medal. This was definitely true for me! The last few kilometers are always the hardest, but there were lots of people along the last part of the route to cheer us on and keep us motivated. As I passed under Laurier Bridge around the 17km mark I saw Steve and Carl cheering, and this was a huge morale boost that kept me going to the end. It was a beautiful route through and around the city, a little hillier than I expected, but scenic and interesting. Once I saw the finish line I took off with whatever energy I had left and gave it all I had until the end. After crossing the finish line with a time of 2:27 (achieving my goal of coming in under 2:30), I collected my ‘dog-tag’ style finishing medal and superhero cape (foil emergency blankets used to prevent too-rapid heat loss), and went to celebrate with Steve and Carl.

With the help of the Canadian Guards Association and the Canadian Guards Association Atlantic Branch, who each contributed $75, and my family, I raised $395 for the Military Families Fund and Soldier On.

I would like to thank the Canadian Guards Association for sponsoring my participation in the Army Run. I hope I have been “worthy of its hire.” (And next year I think Steve should run the half-marathon with me—if I can keep up with him!) Arlene Doucette

Before the Half Marathon and after the 5k	And after the Half Marathon (still smiling!)