National Capital Race Weekend !

            My first race of the season, I can tell you after a long winter of much work and little work out, I was NOT in shape for this. I can also tell you I had a great time and plan to go to Ottawa again whatever my fitness level in May happens to be.

            JF and I arrived in Ottawa a few days before the Race Weekend started. We were able to enjoy the city for a few days beforehand. Skate friendly Canada did not disappoint us. Ottawa is a very pretty city, with a long canal running through it. On the side of the canal you’ll find paths for skaters, joggers, and cyclists to enjoy. If you go in the winter, the canal itself becomes a haven for ice skaters. They actually take care of the ice on the canal, smoothing it out and shoveling the snow for miles so that people can skate there in the winter.

            The Capital Race weekend (so named, as Ottawa is the capital of Canada) is a conglomeration of many races, from short to long for runners, wheel chair athletes and our favorite, skaters! There were three events for the skaters, a 10k a 21k and a 42k, (that’s a marathon for us non metric folks). JF registered for the 10k and 42k, I only registered for one due to my fitness level, the 42k. (I know, duh, why do the long one if you’re so out of shape. I guess I like to challenge myself. Or I’m a masochist….)

            The 10k took place on Saturday night. I watched the start with JF’s family, who had traveled from Quebec to visit us. Eddy Matzger decided two minutes before the start to join the rest of the skaters in the start line, much to their surprise and happiness. After all, if you’re gonna get beat, there’s no one nicer than Eddy to do it. The start was a little tricky as it went into a sharp corner literally yards from the line. I’m happy to say, I watched all the skaters make the corner with no spills. After watching the start I sprinted over to where the finish line was along with the rest of the spectators.  A 10k is a very fast, very short race and no one wanted to miss the finish.

            The first group crossed the line. I didn’t see JF with them and wondered where he was. He had trained so hard all winter and decided to race as a pro this year and I thought for sure he’d be up there with the leaders. Turns out, for most of the race he was, until the last breakaway, when he got stuck behind a couple guys who couldn’t follow. He couldn’t get around them fast enough to catch the sprint. Such are the heartbreaks in speedskating. When you find yourself in the wrong position in the pack at the wrong time. Still, he finished only 30 seconds behind 1^st place, in 10^th position, his fastest time ever in a 10k, his first time racing with the pros. I know he was a little disappointed, but I couldn’t have been prouder!

            Sunday was an early morning with a 6:50 start for the 42k. We dragged ourselves out of bed around 5:00 and tried to load up on the carbs as much as it is possible at that hour of the morning. I’m not sure my stomach really woke up until after the race. The morning was chilly and I kept my jacket and long pants on as long as I could, shedding them only about 15 minutes before the start. I found a space among the long line up of people at the start line. As it happens, right behind my favorite Vancouver skaters, Jerry, Brian and John. Wohoo! Let’s get the party start. The start was a chaotic mess of skaters all jockeying for position, making close passes, banging frames together, right into a big downhill. Pure excitement! As it always seems to, back in the mayhem of the not-too-fast where I generally spend most of my time, it took about a quarter mile for things to sort themselves out. I ended up skating with a couple French Canadian guys. I know they were of the French variety for two reasons: 1. I’m used to listening to local Quebecois skaters Luc and JF converse and 2. I didn’t know what they were talking about.

            I managed to work with the Quebecois for 1 lap (half the race), we were doing pretty well, passing a lot of people and then things got tough. One of the guys got tired and like a true friend, the other stayed with him. Should I stay or should I go? GO! Well anyone who’s ever done any pack skating knows the benefits of the pack or even a small group. The energy saved on drafting and trading out leaders is enormous. On my own, I was forced to put out the same energy all the time as though I were pulling the pack. Still, I was doing well, passing a lot of people, but I’m glad I wasn’t wearing my heart rate monitor. I hoped to find another group at some point, but it never happened. I crossed the line solo. Tired, but happy to have completed.

            JF also had a great race. He got his wish this time and was able to stay in the front pack, the whole way. He finished in ninth place, two itty-bitty seconds behind first. Wish I had been able to see that finish line sprint!

            A few other comments about the race weekend, the event was superbly organized. The entire racecourse was exciting with possibly the best pavement I’ve ever had during a race. Except for two very small sections, the pavement was smooth and clear. With three distances to choose from, this was an event everyone could participate in. Come to Ottawa, you won’t regret it!

Laura Kernan

Go Sens! Go! (better luck next year…)

To view race results and information about attending next year go to: http://www.ncm.ca/main.php