Janice Commander’s Challenge at Army Run

By: Janice Laikwan

Edited by H.Piel

Event Name: Army Run – Commander’s Challenge

Date: Sunday, September-22, 2024

Location: Ottawa City Hall

Synopsis: The army bands playing their instruments and dancing for us during the run.

Briefly describe the overall venue & course:
Venue: Have you seen the inside of the Cartier Square Drill Hall? It’s your chance to see this venue while picking up the race kit!

Course: Although it was a mortal ending, the paths were absolutely beautiful. Surprisingly, the cemetery was beautiful with trees and green! Not the usual morbid vibe.

What was provided at the aid stations?
First-aiders on bikes were awesome.
I do not recall seeing any stations along the way, but definitively at the end.

How was the weather? :
Absolutely gorgeous! Temperature was around 15 degree with a nice breeze from 8AM to 10:30AM. Between 10:30 AM to 11:50 AM, it started to warm-up around 22-24 degree with a bright sun heating up.

My Race Experience:
Army run commander’s challenge is a total of 26.1KM race that starts with a 5KM race and ends with a 21.1KM race.

5KM Race: So grateful to have seen my wife cheering me up at the start line! It was amazing to see Judy at the first corner before tackling the first hill, Parliament Hill. As I knew I had a race after this one, I tried to keep my cool by going at a moderate pace, but with the rhythm, the cheers and encouragements of crowds, as you all may think, the pace did slowly increase hahaha It was honestly challenging to keep calm by not messing up the pace, and keeping a relatively slow pace before the biggest race. Next thing you know and despite the last hill, I did a personal best on that race by finishing at 28:04!

21.1KM Race: To have company for the second time on the start line, I was next to Wilson looking ready, and cool with all his gears as the 1:55 bunny pacer. First thought when the race started “I am going to see Judy again”! Yup, I saw her again hahaha

For about 7-8KM, the race was going to well despite some up and down hills. Entering the cemetery, there was a huge hill but I did not get discouraged and climbed it like the arboretum hill. You know when you’re feeling good and knowing on the spot that you can try to get a PB or a good time, I told myself “okay! I can do it! let’s try under 2hrs!!! why not!” to pump me up.

Around 10KM, I took my first gel on another hill on Hemlock to Sandridge. Although it was super hot as usual on Sir-George-Étienne Cartier Pkwy (I saw Darren thinking I could say hi but he was super fast and looking strong so bye Darren instead!), all is well so far until Rockcliffe Hill hahaha This where I hit a wall and slowly going at a pace of 7:00/hr. Aww boy, I knew at that moment I wouldn’t make the under 2hrs mark, but oh well, I just wanted to finish it at this point.

One guy said “it’s your last big hill” oh boy haha it was a good laugh as I knew there were other hills waiting after Rockcliffe Hill. That laugh gave me courage while running up. On that hill, a dude was cheering so loud as I saw Dave passing by me, next thing you know, my name was always being cheered and I got a huge smile to see Chris screaming our names! Thank you Chris! I didn’t give up with that cheer of yours and it made a different for me!

About 14-16KM, going down the Rockcliffe Hill was memorable. A guy in front of me dropped his asthma inhaler and did not realize so. I picked it up and suddenly increased my pace at 5:00/hr. (good thing it was downhill though) to catch up because he was fast! Succeeded! He got his inhaler back and couldn’t stop thanking me and told me “You got this! let’s go!” That was very emotional for me as he fist-bumped me bye!

Last 2KM to Sussex, my legs and calves were giving up on me! But one and two slaps on those calves, up I go! Last 500m was mortal. On the last turn on Rideau Street, that last hill was endless! Although I knew from the 5KM Race that this hill was waiting for me, it was painfully long by trying to sprint it to the finish line!

Finally, I had with my two hands on my knees at the finish line that the first-aiders had to come see me, but all is well! I was just out of breathe and was able to walk after. Again, surprisingly, I got another AG PB by finishing the half-marathon at 2:13:44! (Editor Note: just 5 minutes slower than the 18-year old Janice, so quite impressive!)

It felt so good and satisfying to finish the Army Run Commander’s Challenge with two unexpected PBs.

Would you do this event again? Why?
I will not do the commander’s challenge again because I was disappointed that the 5KM was the same path as the first 5KM in the 21.1KM.

I will absolutely do the half marathon again.

Would you recommend this event? Why?
Yes, I recommend 100% this event. The ambiance was amazing and I got goose bump seeing everyone cheering from the soldiers and the citizens. It’s an amazing feeling.

Closing thoughts. Any hints for others planning to do this race? Where to stay? Things to bring? What to wear?
Closing motivational thoughts

About two years ago (January 2022), I joined RunK2J and I always thought it was impossible to run fast. However, I kept believing and never give up as I was seeing great K2J runners surrounding me who were constantly inspiring me, never giving up, and kept showing up to the practices. Today in 2024, I can say that “I’M POSSIBLE” to run fast.

As such, if you ever see yourself giving up or even having the thoughts of stopping or letting go, always remember that YOU’RE POSSIBLE! 🙂

Overall Venue Rating: :
5 – Monumentally Awesome

Please rate the course:
3 – Good

Please rate the aid stations:
2 – Okay