BMI Blog
Canadian Army Run, 2011
Running can be a very solitary experience; even though you may be running with friends and encouraging each other on, it is usually all about you … the focus is on you even though there are people around you. Am I running too fast? Am I running too slow? Am I drinking enough? Am I fuelling enough? Am I wearing the right clothes? And ultimately what is my “chip time” when we finally cross the finish line? Whether you admit it or not, everyone hopes that on race day you will finish with a personal best time.
The Canadian Army Run this past Sunday was anything but solitary. Before I headed out for the run, I posted on my own FB page that I was heading out to participate in the Canadian Army Run, I was participating to honour and thank all of the men and women who have, and are currently serving our country. I am sure that each and every one of the BMI members and their family members that joined them in one of the various events all felt the same way on Sunday.
What a turn-out we had! With participants in each of the 5K and half-marathon we were well represented out on the course. Kelly inspired us all to do our best and it was wonderful having her there to share the excitement with us. The sun was shining, the temperature was ideal and with 16,000 runners, including many from the Canadian Military, it was the perfect day all around.
There was lots to see out on the race course, a firefighter in full gear (at least he had running shoes on), a couple of guys in rubber camouflage suits complete with gas masks! There was a lady with my favorite sign that said “Keep running the ice cream truck is just around the corner” ….. must have seen her 5 times along the ½ marathon route and I turned many corners and I never saw the ice cream truck! There were many members of the military, some in wheelchairs and on prosthetic legs, making all of us forget our individual aches and pains and focus on their bravery.
This day was truly special with fellow BMI members and family to encourage and motivate each other whether they were running 5K or a half-marathon, it seemed to be all about “us” and not about “me”. And to our dearest friend Randi who I saw three times along the route, thank you from us all, you can’t know how amazing it was to see you and know that we had our own personal cheerleader and photographer.
The race came to an end, leg cramps and all, but the most emotional part for sure was walking up and having the official “finisher’s dog tags” put over your head by a proud young man or woman from our Canadian Forces. With a lump in my throat, I simply shook their hand and said “Thank you for what you are doing”.
This was truly not a “solitary run” it was a “military run”! What a memorable day.
Laurie