Army Half Completed? Yes Sir!

Hi there

Kicked off by our Governor General (who also ran), with the earnest and engaged participation of some of the finest people in our country, Canadian Troops, and to the starting sound of a Howitzer Artillery Gun, today I completed the Army 1/2 Marathon.

The weather was near perfect, no, in fact it was absolutely perfect. Nice temperature, slight gentle wind, perfectly blue skies. We ran up by the Parliament, out past the museums, back, over to Gatineau, across the bridge, up Sussex and then down the Rideau Canal and back. Wow!

I used this as a training run and rehearsal of my race plan for Cardiff. I started out with 13 and 1's changing it after the first go round to 14 and 1's and kept that up to the 18 km point when I switched to 10 and 1's and finished with my second best time 2:19:49 (nearly matching the 2009 Prague race at 2:18:22). My goal is for Cardiff to be a personal best.

I want to thank the WGG for being there with me and the support of my colleagues and fellow clinic members at the Beaches Running Room.

Song of the run was a natural - Heroes by David Bowie and I dedicate it to the fine women and men of the Canadian Forces. The race itself is dedicated to someone who is also being a real Hero to his daughter right now although she may be too young to appreciate it. My brother Jamie has decided to return to school and I want to let him know how very much I admire him for it. Well done, brother!

Paul