FALLING INTO LINE
Long arm of the law? Try strong legs of the law as Ottawa police chief is set for half-marathon
Police chief laces up
Chief Charles Bordeleau of the Ottawa Police Service is on the run. No, he is not in trouble with the law — he’s training for the half-marathon at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend in support of a cause that hits close to home.
“A close friend is going through ALS, so we raise money for that,” says Bordeleau, 51.
People living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis slowly become paralyzed as nerve cells start to die. The disease ends with the inability to breathe or swallow.
One of Bordeleau’s running routes is along the Rideau Canal. “I enjoy it. I run, first of all, for me and to keep myself fit. It’s a great stress reliever for me.”
His wife, Lynda, is running the marathon and is training for a 50K this summer, but the two don’t run together.
“I’m very inspired by her and her amount of training,” says Bordeleau, who wants to complete the half in less than two hours. “We are both very individual runners. I don’t like running with a group,” he says.
“Once in a while, I’ll run with somebody, but the majority of the time, it’s time alone, a time to reflect, clear my mind and focus on other things.”
Bordeleau tries to fit running in whenever he can with his hectic schedule. He does his long runs on weekends but has some trouble fitting in short runs and hill work during the week.
“I would like to really focus on the race and to improve my time and get all the training that I need to get in. That’s the challenge right now.”
What motivates Bordeleau to go the long distances is the time it gives him to think — which sometimes leads to trouble.
While running and listening to It’s My Life by Bon Jovi, he remembered being in high school and playing his friend’s drum set. Next thing Bordeleau knew, he was in a store buying a drum set for himself.
“It’s now in the basement. I play it — to the enjoyment of my family,” Bordeleau says, laughing. He no longer listens to music when he runs so he can stay out of trouble.
Bordeleau encourages his officers to be healthy and get active.
The Ottawa Police Service partners with The Running Room to hold running clinics for members.
Once in a while, I’ll run with somebody, but the majority of the time, it’s time alone, a time to reflect, clear my mind and focus on other things. CHARLES BORDELEAU
“Hopefully they see me as a runner and that helps motivate them. I encourage them to participate in the fitness program with the police service.”
Ottawa Race Weekend is a chance for the police force and the Bordeleau family to come together with the rest of the community. “It’s amazing to see not only the runners, but all of the people out there being active. It’s a huge community-building event. It’s great for the nation’s capital.”