I just got back from a fantastic weekend in Ottawa. Jeka and I became friends through our blogs…and shared experiences of living in Nunavut. She lived in Kimmirut while I was living in Pangnirtung. She even did a guest post here on Sarah on the Road a few years ago. We talked online often over the two years we lived in Nunavut and I got to ‘meet’ her in person the day she was flying south…in the Iqaluit airport. I was so excited to see her again this weekend and hang out in person…where we didn’t have to use technology to talk. 
Two years ago, she posted on Facebook all about doing the Army Run in Ottawa. I was still in Nunavut–enjoying life and flying everywhere for business…but thought to myself, I wish I could do that…it looked really fun! Well fast forward 2 years…it was my turn!
Friday night we had an awesome girls night- (Chris was working a night shift…so it was just us girls!)… Dinner and a movie–we saw Bridget Jones Baby…it was so good, so many funny lines go see it!
After sleeping in a wee bit on Saturday we headed down to the city hall to pick up our race bibs and shirts.
We checked out the Expo booths.. saw Vimy–the Invictus Games mascot! The next Invicutus Games will be held in Toronto September 2017. 
We headed outside to check out the live music…and it started to pour! We didn’t let that stop us from having some fun….and have a little dancing in the rain. 
Then we realized we might have to run in this weather the next day! 
…but we realized we wouldn’t melt…and once you are wet, you are wet! So might as well dance or even run in the rain!?
My new running shirt… all shinny and pretty…ready for the morning! (I didn’t end up running in this though because with the long sleeves I would have melted.)
After listening to the POURING rain, hearing the thunder…and dreading that it would continue until the morning…. I woke up to no rain! Which was the best gift of the day… 
…while waiting for the start what else does one do but take a few selfies! 
Lots of excitement from the start line… we were in the Red Coral and were the last to be let out onto the course! There were so many people on the sidelines cheering us along. My race last fall that I ran on the Downsview Race Track-–which didn’t have the same feeling along the course…so that was a first for me… and a welcome surprise.
I was never more happy to cross the finish line… I was even happier to have finished it the fastest I have all summer during any of my practice runs. I really need to train a wee bit more consistently…now that Fall has brought some cooler temps!
Check out the cool ‘dog-tag’ medal….I can totally see how this running/racing thing gets into your blood. I’ve already tentatively talked with a friend about signing up for another 2 races this fall….and am already registered for the Resolution Run on December 31st which I’ll do with my friend Michelle! 
We went at our own pace for the 5km…so I was excited when I found my friends at the finish line so quickly! Well done for doing it even though you weren’t feeling 100%!
This race was so much fun! Can’t wait to do the next year with you Jeka and Chris… it was such a fun weekend. Now that we are living a road trip away—we totally need to meet up again…let me know if you want to come my way to explore Toronto!
After the race we went down to the Market to have brunch… Then we went next door to The Cupcake Lounge and then I picked up a Red Velvet Cupcake (which I think I’m going to eat tomorrow for breakfast!). The perfect end to a fabulous weekend! Thanks so much for hosting me this weekend Jeka it was fantastic. 
Coming home was another story…had an extra 2 + hours added to my trip because of an accident. It seemed like I just got onto the 401… and all the traffic stopped around 2:30pm. There was a really bad accident... and for the first time ever—I was standing on the side of the highway…and joined everyone as they got out of their cars, and tried to see what was going on. We watched the fire trucks, ambulances and police cars arrive on scene…and eventually the other side of the highway traffic stopped as well. After waiting about 45mins… the police came back to the front of the cars and started turning them around… so we could back track on the highway and get to a spot where we could cross to the other side.
This just reminded me about how you need to live for each moment…because you never know what is going to happen next. You need to live life today, because yesterday is gone and tomorrow is never promised.