Posted: May 12, 2005

Athletics: Canada's Top Marathoner Returns to ING Ottawa

Toronto's Nicole Stevenson says last year's ING Ottawa Marathon "stepped up" over previous races

Nicole Stevenson is Canada's top female marathon with a personal best time of 2:33:37. She placed third in last year's ING Ottawa Marathon, winning the national title as the top Canadian, and is returning on May 29th to compete in this year's race.

1. RW: Nicole, the Runner's Web interviewed you last October. Could you brings us up to date on your activities since then.

Photo courtesy of New York Road Runners

NS:: Wow lots has happened since last October! Well, Chicago was a bust. I was SO fit and ready to race, but during the FIRST mile I knew it wasn't going to be a stellar day. I pushed through the half not feeling great, then 'just finished' in 2:39. If 2:39 is a terrible day, then I guess that's a positive? I ran a 10k the following week and surprised myself with a comfy 34:10. Then the following week I decided to end my season with the Casino Niagara 1/2. However, when I got there, a certain someone (MARC!) encouraged me to enter the FULL marathon. My coach, Hugh, did not approve of this, but I decided that night that I would run the full marathon anyway. Hugh and I 'agreed to disagree' and I'm lucky he still coaches me! Damn athletes! That marathon felt like a tempo run in 2:37! Nice to know I was that fit. I just wish I had raced one sub-2:30 instead of two sub-2:40's!
This winter I've been on a 'need for speed' program - low mileage + higher intensity than I've done in years. So far it's paid off with a new 10km PB of 32:29 and a victory at the prestigious Vancouver Sun Run. We'll see how the speed program impacts my marathon race on May 29th...

2. RW: Do you expect the level of competition at this years Ottawa Marathon to be similar to last years?

NS:: As far as I see, the competition looks at least as good as last year. Manny Rodrigues has done a great job in recruiting international athletes.

3. RW: What are your performance expectations, given reasonable weather conditions? NS:: Ken, you always ask for my secrets! Let's just say I plan on racing this marathon instead of chasing a time. It will take a fast time to win this race, which would be the perfect day for me.

4. RW: How do you perform in warm weather race conditions? What is the hottest marathon you have ever run?

NS:: The hottest marathon I've run would have to be Run Barbados in the fall of 2003. It was 23C at the start and 31C at the finish. I ran it as a workout in 2:55 and felt so good afterwards that I ran the 5k back to my hotel! I think I would race better than most marathoners in hot conditions. I'm like a camel in the heat! Would have been nice to test out last year in Athens...I digress!

5. RW: Are you interested in competing at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland this August?

NS:: I'm debating racing in Helsinki in August or Edmonton in October. First of all, the standard for Finland is 2:31, which would be nice to hit, but it's over 2 1/2 minutes faster than my current best. Helsinki offers ideal conditions for a marathon at a world champs, which is rare. Normally it's incredibly hot at these events. Then there's the World 1/2 Marathon Champs in Edmonton in October - another opportunity to don the red&white. It would be awesome to place high at home against the world's best. I will wait until after Ottawa to determine which Championship will be my focus.

6. RW: I assume you have seen Athletics Canada's selection criteria for Helsinki. What do you think of it?

NS:: I think that the standards listed (at least for the marathon, I haven't looked at the other events) are fair. The 'rising star' idea seems a little subjective, but at least there is a B standard.

7. RW: Getting back to the Ottawa Marathon, do you know who your competition will be? Do you give much consideration to your competitors or do you just go out and run your own race?

NS:: I have checked out www.ncm.ca for a list of my competitors but I won't scrutinize that list until I find out who shows up. I don't get overly concerned with who's who because you never know if that person is as fit or way fitter than their listed PB. Normally in marathons I stick to a time goal so competitors really don't matter. It's hard to imagine RACING for 2 and a half hours! But I think it's time I tried this approach. What have I got to lose? So, I don't know who my main target will be, but I hope to give her a run for the money!

8. RW: Are you looking ahead to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing? Do you expect Athletics Canada's selection criteria to more reasonable than it was for Athens in which Canada had no competitors in the marathon?

NS:: Ouch. My scars are opening and the salt's pouring in! Sorry - still getting over last year's disappointment. YES my goal is Beijing 2008. I will forever have regrets about not competing at the original venue of the Marathon in Athens last summer, but there's nothing I can do about that now. However, before my career ends, I would like to be an Olympian. In 2008 I will likely be at the apex of my potential, so what a perfect time to race in the Olympics! I have no idea what the standard will be. I have two hopes:
1) that the standard is reasonable (ie: not a Canadian record!) and
2) that the standard is released at least 18 months prior to the Games. Ok
3) hopes: that I am racing really well and am super-fit!

9. RW: You seem to be able to maintain a very active racing schedule with a full-time job. How have you been able to fit your sport into your work life? Have you thought about becoming a full-time athlete?

NS:: My life = sport and work. I really don't know how other women juggle these areas AND a husband and child(ren)! I envy them! My vacation days are almost always taken for races or training days. Luckily my idea of a vacation is exercising in a hot place! I've considered the full-time athlete position. I even tried it once when I was fresh out of university. I went crazy wondering what opportunities I was missing out on and trying to find something to fill the hours between workouts. So, no, I will not become a 'full-time athlete.' Now if I could figure out a solid self-employment plan where I am my own boss, am highly motivated and set my own schedule, that would be a whole other story. Too bad I haven't figured out my gazillion dollar idea yet!

10. RW: You have run marathons in a number of different cities. How does the ING Ottawa Marathon compare with other marathons?

NS:: I noticed a HUGE difference in Ottawa last year, largely due to ING's involvement. The event stepped up a number of flights in its organization and professionalism. I attribute this progress to ING's support as well as to the hard-working race committee. I'm sure I'll be impressed once again this year!

Thanks Ken. I appreciate you keeping an eye on me!

Thanks for this Nicole, and best of luck on the 29th.