Holiday.
I want to do EVERYTHING and explore EVERYWHERE while still getting in my runs and staying active. In my case, it’s a great dream.
Because … well .. holidays. It’s the time to break from the norm and to hit reset on your overworked, stressed body. I haven’t been home to Ottawa for five, long years. I knew it was time to get on a plane and head to our nation’s capital. My plan was to run at least four each week during my two-week holiday.
My friend Nick has summers off so he was more than happy to run in the Gatineau hills. He plays soccer regularly but does not run as much as I do.
Nick is the type of guy who will nearly kill us to pull over to the side of the road to save a squirrel. This little guy (look closely) seemed to be injured. Nick stepped outside to investigate. Fortunately he was just eating berries on the road. Nick ushered him into the ditch.
We headed to Pink Lake for what Nick called a “good workout.” I had to chuckle because I have not seen this man in eight years and 2.5K is not what I consider a good workout. After Pink Lake we found another path to run another 10K or so. It was a great day. Later in the week we clocked 20K near Camp Fortune. I felt bad because Nick was completely drained after that jaunt. (By the way, it was HIS decision to run a longer trail).
During this holiday, I did more pavement running than trail. I ran in the South Keys area (where my aunt lives) and near Mooney’s Bay. When I lived in the city, I didn’t have a car so I skated everywhere.
For a few days, I spent time at my aunt’s cottage in Bouchette in Quebec. I had not choice but to run the dusty country roads. It was a nice change from the pavement. It was so serene and quiet.
One day I ran into the town. I practiced my rusty French when I bought an ice-cold orange juice. There was really no need because the woman spoke English but I thought when in Rome or small town Quebec.
Another day I ran by small farms. These cows were cheering on my run. Adorable, right? All the farmers on the tractors waved. By their startled expressions, I’m confident they are not used to seeing a runner on the dusty roads in the middle of the day.
Of course you haven’t run in Ottawa unless you have run on the Rideau Canal. It’s always busy with walkers, runners and in-line skaters. On this day, it was relatively quiet. I soaked in the scenery as I ran from the bridge to Dow’s Lake.
At the end of the day, I am happy that I managed to get in a few solid runs. I didn’t run as much as I would have liked but at least I wasn’t a complete slug on my holiday. Gosh I forgot how humid Ontario can get. It was crazy! My hair did not miss the humidity one bit.
Peace.