My first race
Well, I made it. I ran 10 kilometers.
Ottawa Race Weekend was phenomenal; such a great experience. I’m already aiming to run a half marathon next year, and stay for the entire weekend to cheer on all the racers.
I arrived around 3 p.m. on Saturday, in time to pick up my race kit, t-shirt and browse the expo. I watched the start of the 5k race – really cool to see the massive sea of people take off from the line. One runner had her stroller, another was taking photos with her DSLR as she jogged along.
The 5k start
My race began at 6:30 p.m. I wasn’t nervous at all as I joined the packed group of fellow runners. I had my music cued up, and started with a great stride. A couple of people I knew were just ahead of me, so I used them as my pacers for the first few kilometers. It was phenomenal to have such huge crowds for almost the entire route – both they and the hundreds of runners around me were great motivation. Tons of people had signs for friends and relatives, but my favourite was an older gentleman carrying a sign that said: “Run, random stranger, run.” So great.
I walked briefly at a couple of points, but I was far more comfortable running. I hit the 5k mark at 31:10 – my best time so far. At the 7k mark I had some cramps, right around the time my competitiveness kicked in as I watched so many people passing me. I picked up my pace a short time later, and crossed the finish line with a time of 1:08:38 – ahead of my goal of 70 minutes. Woo!
With my giant medal proving I finished
My gross heel post-race
Despite a blister that broke and filled my shoe with blood, it was a fun race and I felt great. Now I just have to keep up my training for the Boilermaker 15k in July.
With Tara and Wendy, fabulous ladies who ran the 10k also
With Jackie, one of my best pals who has been a huge inspiration for me in my running
I’m feeling pretty good today – just tired – but I’m fully expecting the soreness to hit me tomorrow. No matter, it was worth it!
Ottawa Race Weekend
Four days until my first race. Eeek.
New running shoes
I bought new shoes and I’ve been hitting the pavement every other day, with some biking and swimming thrown in the mix. I still haven’t run a full 10k, but I heard adrenaline kicks in during a race and carries you for a while, so hopefully I’ll be okay. I’m fairly certain I’ll be walking part of the way, but as long as I finish I’ll be happy.
I’m looking forward to the community aspect of it all – running alongside hundreds of other athletes who are either beginners like me or seasoned racers. It will also be nice to have cheering sections along the way, I’m sure that provides great motivation.
The Ottawa Race Weekend 10k starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, with a beautiful route along the Rideau Canal.
I’ll let you know how I do, or you can follow my results – I’m the only Brink participating all weekend, so it shouldn’t be too hard. Stay tuned for an update afterwards and a look ahead to a 15k race I’m signed up for in July.
City council – May 14
I’m a day late in blogging about the last city council meeting … but I have no exciting excuses. Just plain busyness. I know my days are especially packed when I barely check Twitter. Yes, I’m experiencing minor withdrawal.
It was a lengthy gathering on Monday evening – three hours – covering first quarter financials, the hiring of a new human resources manager, staff replacements, park improvements and more.
- Last week, the Seaway International Bridge Authority announced their plans to locate the toll booth at the north end of the new low-level span. Makes sense, considering that’s where it is relative to the current bridge. But both the Cornwall mayor and Mohawk grand chief slammed the idea, suggesting the booth be either eliminated or moved to the U.S. bridge instead, to allow a freer flow of traffic between the two Canadian communities. The issue was brought to full council this week, though the more interesting discussion was on the timing of the mayor’s statement. Coun. Glen Grant said he was rather offended he (and his colleagues) weren’t consulted before an official release came from city hall. He voted against a resolution – which passed with the support of everyone else, except Rivette – that called on the federal government to reconsider the booth’s location, citing not enough information on the controversy.
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Rebecca Sorrell in Guindon Park
A group of a dozen or more protesters hit up city hall this week, despite not making it onto the evening’s agenda. The Save the Beaver petitioners brought signs and homemade t-shirts, hoping to make a plea for the end to trapping of the country’s national animal in Guindon Park. When they realized they wouldn’t be invited to speak, they left in a rather noisy fashion. “I’ll see you next council, Mr. Kilger,” said Rebecca Sorrell, the unofficial leader of the group, and the petition’s author.
Personally, I don’t think they’re going to get too far. Trapping for the purpose of population control has been going for more than two decades with very little controversy; the beavers are still around but the roads haven’t flooded. The city has little motivation to make changes … plus a couple of traps were stolen from the park this year, which I’m sure will do the opposite of helping this group’s cause. - Councillors fired questions at an auditor during the meeting, wondering how they can improve their budget process and overall fiscal health. Though they were assured Cornwall is in a good place financially, auditor Ross Markell encouraged them to do more budget planning during the year, rather than just in the first few months of a new calendar. He also suggested the creation of a broad 10-year plan, which would help council see the longer-term effects of their decisions, especially when it comes to deferring capital projects.
The discussion followed a recent governance training session, where there was also a conversation about the budget process. Last year councillors seemed determined to make adjustments, but there was very little change when it came down to it. Hopefully this time will be different – whether it means the steering committee meeting more often, city departments giving detailed looks into their operations throughout the year, a fresh look at infrastructure needs vs. the pressure on taxpayers, or whatever. There’s always room for improvement.
I’ll be back at city hall on May 22 for the planning advisory committee. Council meets next on May 28.
Playoff predictions 2012, round three
I did significantly better on calling winners of the second round of the NHL playoffs – my only miss was in not picking New Jersey. Let’s see how I do on the conference finals …
- LA Kings vs. Phoenix Coyotes – Kings in seven
- New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers – Rangers in six
I know the Rangers beat my team in round one, but I’m already rooting for them to take it all the way.
Helicopter, check
12. Ride in a helicopter
This was unexpected, to say the least. An association of pilots who fly out of the Cornwall Regional Airport hold a junior aviation day a couple of times a year, to give young children the chance to experience the wonder of flight – for free. As a lover of the air myself, I asked my Little Sister Bethanie if she wanted in. She did, so on Saturday morning we headed out to Summerstown, expecting a brief jaunt over the city in a four-seater Cessna.
When we arrived, the first thing I noticed was the helicopter parked on the tarmac. I’ve wanted to fly in one pretty much since my inaugural trip to the skies, so I asked Beth if she’d mind a ride in it, rather than a plane. She was game, and the organizers were willing to let me go along – despite not being a “junior aviator”.
It was seriously cool. It’s a bubble of glass – no fuselage or wings to obscure views of the ground and skies around us. Liftoff was smooth, a joystick the only real controller as we shifted to the right and then picked up speed and height.
It was a quick flight; we sped over Glen Walter and Summerstown before touching back down. Our pilot, Dave, has been flying the birds for a couple of years. Coincidentally, he was also the guy who took me up last year when I was reporting on the event for the paper.
Good times.
Playoff predictions 2012, round two
I had two … two out of eight right for my earlier playoff predictions. That’s pretty bad – also sad to see both Canadian teams lose in the first round. Let’s see if I can do better with the next series.
- LA Kings vs. St. Louis Blues – Kings in six
- Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes – Coyotes in seven
- Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers – Rangers in six
- New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers – Flyers in seven
What do you think? Who’s your favourite for the cup this year?
City council – April 23
Gerald Samson is sworn in.
A new person joined the ranks of Cornwall city council last night: Gerald Samson was sworn in to replace Leslie O’Shaughnessy, who resigned earlier this month. Samson took the oath in council chambers before taking his seat around the table. He wasn’t shy for his first meeting either, he made and seconded several motions and stood up to add his input on several issues. Afterwards, he said he’s thrilled to be appointed to the job, though he would have preferred to be one seat to the left – the spot his father held during his years as a city councillor.
Despite public reaction and committee recommendations to the contrary, council voted to allow e-bikes on city recreation trails for at least another year. It’s just a trial period, and will be connected to an education campaign on overall path courtesy. Responses to an online survey showed plenty of people had negative experiences with other park users – from bikers not ringing their bell as a warning, to dogs left off their leashes, to pedestrians acting like they own the place. There are going to be poor sports no matter the situation, but it sounds like there’s already a lot of confusion about right-of-way and what’s allowed where … adding e-bikes could muddy the waters even further.
Personally, I don’t use the path enough to see them as a problem or not. However, I am absolutely against any other kind of motorized vehicles using the trails, and if e-bikes are allowed permanently I can see the trend leading toward owners of vespers and mopeds making their case for access. What do you think? Leave your comments below.
During last night’s two-hour meeting, council also discussed the need to promote local shopping and the next steps for increasing intercity bus travel. They approved changes to the city’s ice allocation policy, and accepted recommendations to improve in-camera meetings.
They are scheduled to meet next on May 8.
Alberta votes and snow falls
- Alberta goes to the polls today as two female conservative party leaders go head-to-head. The race is between Progressive Conservative Premier Alison Redford and newcomer Danielle Smith of the Wildrose Party, with polls showing the Liberals trailing significantly. The Wildrose is expected to win by a close margin, despite several gaffes by candidates throughout the campaign.
- The RCMP has laid charges in the case of two seniors who went missing in Alberta more than two years ago. Police and family searched for Lyle and Marie McCann for months, finding only a burned out trailer. Travis Vader has been a suspect almost since the beginning, but it wasn’t until today that he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. I’m sure everyone involved is relieved this is finally moving ahead – Vader has been in limbo for months, while McCann’s family waited for answers.
- I’ve been following the Anders Behring Breivik trial to some degree over the last couple of weeks. The man who admitted to killing 77 people in a Norway massacre and now faces life in prison continues to claim he is thoroughly sane, though I think the rest of us have our doubts. He said he underwent desensitivity training before beginning his rampage, in an effort to convince his country of the evils of immigration. I’m pretty sure you’d have to – any normal person would be positively broken after doing what he did so callously.
- In other news, what’s with the snow? I love the fluffy stuff in normal winter months, but the inch-deep slush greeting me this morning was not at all welcome.
Report from city hall – April 17
It’s been a busy couple of days for news in the city of Cornwall. In case you were wondering, that’s not a complaint.
It started with the Max Keeping Foundation kicking off a local chapter of its sports and recreation support program on Monday morning, and continued with a special city council meeting that afternoon. There, councillors voted to appoint Gerald Samson to the vacancy left by Leslie O’Shaughnessy’s resignation. Samson finished 11th in the last municipal vote; I spoke to him in Florida today, where he’s rushing to pack up and head north, and he’s very excited to begin the new job.
The Monday special meeting also included discussion over the city’s recently revamped procedural bylaw. I can understand some suspicion over the timing of the changes – which included new wording for council vacancy appointments – but the adjustments are made at least once a term and will always be trumped by the Municipal Act anyway. I don’t think the uproar over a few tweaks were, or are, justified.
William Wise
Today we learned former city councillor William Wise turned himself in to FBI and IRS officials in California. The former Cornwall Royals owner was apparently hiding out in Toronto over the last few years, but decided to head south to face 17 charges related to a $129 million Ponzi scheme. He pled not guilty in court this morning – a surprise considering he essentially admitted his guilt in a tell-all interview with the Toronto Star – but remains in custody.
In non-city hall-related news, the Cornwall Colts are heading to game four of their championship series against Nepean. They’re up two games to one and looking for an additional boost with a win at home tonight.
I’m scheduled for duty at the good ol’ Standard-Freeholder this weekend, and it’s shaping up to be a busy one already. In addition to several community activities running all over town – from an AA conference to the spring clean-up campaign launch – the Raisin River Canoe Race is happening on Sunday. I’ve regrettably never attended this event before (though I almost signed up two years ago), so I’m really looking forward to not only watching, but shooting, the competition.
Playoff predictions 2012, round one
Hey look, it’s back. My annual series of blog posts on the NHL. Though I’m still not as avid a follower as many, I did manage to make it to a couple of Senators games this year, in addition to the rather fabulous All-Star exhibition in Ottawa. I would have crossed number 10 off my life to-do list, but alas, I have to work Monday evening when the Sens host the Rangers for the second match of the series.
I’m pumped to see a Canadian team at the very top of the standings this year, though I wish more than two had made the playoffs. Toronto’s failures don’t surprise me any longer, but I was bummed Calgary – my second favourite team – wasn’t able to squeeze into the top of the western conference.
Enough rambling. Here’s my predictions for round one of the playoffs, based on no expertise or significant research whatsoever. Leave your taunts, cheers or expectations of your own in the comment box below.
- Los Angeles Kings vs. Vancouver Canucks – No question: Canucks in six
- San Jose Sharks vs. St. Louis Blues – Sharks in seven
- Chicago Blackhawks vs. Phoenix Coyotes – Blackhawks in six
- Detroit Red Wings vs. Nashville Predators – Predators in five
- Ottawa Senators vs. New York Rangers – I have faith: Sens in seven
- Washington Capitals vs. Boston Bruins – Bruins in six
- New Jersey Devils vs. Florida Panthers – Panthers in four
- Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – Penguins in five
Cheryl
