Coming together at Reggae Marathon

There's a coming together at Reggae Marathon 2023 that promises a spectacular ending to one hell of a year!  It's been along time coming.

The story begins in 2008 when I ran my first and only marathon at Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica.  I did it with Sally's full support.  

It was a fund raiser as well.  Together, Sally and I raised over $5,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Foundation, the charity we picked to honor my Dad who passed away in 2007.  A complex confluence of emotions surrounded that first Reggae Marathon event.  And it was there that we came together with the Reggae Marathon family from Jamaica and around the world that continued for 11 years. It has endured to this day.

Over the course of those annual pilgrimages to Negril, a couple of my sons came along.  Courtney paced me through the finish of one half marathon sacrificing his time to see me through a challenging race.  The next year both he and his twin brother Andrew made the trek along with a couple of friends.  That year we also connected with our Jamaican family...that was a race weekend to remember!  

After coming along for the first two races, Sally begged off.  As a non-runner and not a sun worshiper as I was, the race weekend didn't offer her much.  As the Reggae Marathon social media guy I was busy all of the time in Negril. She let me get away every December to 'play with my Reggae Marathon family'.  Thank you Sally!

I stopped going to Negril for Reggae Marathon after the 2019 event.  I felt then that 11 consecutive years was enough.  And what timing!  Who knew about COVID 19 that would stop the world for the next couple of years including the live Reggae Marathon event.  But the Reggae Marathon stuck together.  On one of his annual vacations to Negril toward the end of the pandemic, Larry Savitch a long-time runner and Reggae Marathon regular, posted beach pictures.  I lived vicariously through those posts.  Thank you Larry.

But the pull to go back to Reggae Marathon continued.

I had planned to run Reggae Marathon in 2022.  That changed in March when Sally got diagnosed with brain cancer.  Everything changed that day.  

Sally passed away in January 2023.  We held her celebration of life this past August, a day before her 69th birthday. It was a joyous event celebrating a life lived well!

One of the photos in the collage I put together has her sitting under the broiling sun at the finish line of that first Marathon in 2008.  

I finished over an hour later than I had told her, and worried about her worrying about me.  But as I ran down the finish chute and saw her sitting there smiling...there are no words! I felt her presence that day on the final few miles to the finish.  Thank you Sally!

Earlier this year Courtney, Andrew and Holden hatched a plan for a family vacation.  In no time we settled on Negril in December.  We're booked now: kids, spouses, grandkids...12 in all. We've even got a few other friends and families coming along!  Courtney, Andrew and I are running in the Reggae Marathon and the non-runners in our family will make up a large cheering section at the finish!  Can't wait!

Despite not being a fan of the broiling sun or heat, Sally will be looking down on us this December.  She'll be smiling as she watches her family come together at Reggae Marathon 2023.

Until next time...

Jamaica Bound

Jamaica Bound!  Bags packed for wheels up to Negril on Wednesday.  Flying direct this year from Toronto to Negril via Air Canada.  By this time tomorrow I'll be comfortably ensconced in my first class seat sipping Champagne...oops, that was my inner voice fantasy.  I'm in Economy but with my prefered Aisle seat...easy access to the onboard washroom.

Another big advantage of flying direct, assuming all goes well,is that I'll be through the airport in Montego Bay ahead of rush hour traffic. That should ease the drive along the shore road to Negril.  And again, assuming all goes well, I should be able to get in a late afternoon swim at Rondel Village, my hotel in Negril.  Dan...you listening?

Rondel Village has been the base of operations for Reggae Marathon for the past 7 years.  It's a great, intimate, very well run hotel along the Negril Beach.  It's about a mile to the Reggae Marathon Start/Finish line and a little less to the Pasta Party.  We do a lot of walking and given that it's way warmer than Toronto, that's a good thing!

Dan and I take breakfast and dinner most nights at the restaurant by the beach at Rondel Village.  There's a Menu of course but for Breakfast it's the Jamaican Breakfast:  Ackee and Saltfish;  For supper, Escovitch Fish...a whole Snapper!  Blue Mountain coffee in the morning;  Red Stripe with Supper.  I'm salivating!  The service is great and the conversation between tables is usually all about running...Rondel Village is a popular hotel with Reggae Marathoners.  If you're planning on running Reggae Marathon 2018, book early!

Beach, beach, beach...there, that decision made!  Rondel Village has a relatively compact beach frontage.  There are two areas, behind the fence and directly on the beach.  Dan and I stake out our beach-side lounges first thing after breakfast Thursday morning.  With towels supplied by the hotel, there's only one other decision to make:  SPF 45?  Yes, heavyweight sun protection is mandatory in Negril in December.  It's hot of course...which I love...and with the sun more directly overhead that in Canada, only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the sun without sunscreen (with apologies to the Joe Cocker album I lifted that line from).

Oh, and there's a race this Saturday!  Yeah, 5:15 am Saturday a few thousand runners are sent away for a full Marathon, Half Marathon or 10K.  I've got Finisher Medals from all three but for the past few years I've run the 10K.  I get a nice run in and am finished and enjoying a cold Red Stripe and a refreshing post-race swim by 6:30 am.  That's about as good as it gets.

One more sleep to wheels up...

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Getting ready for some Reggae

With a couple of months to go, I'm getting ready for some Reggae...Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica on December 3.  This year at Reggae Marathon marks my 8th consecutive event.  And while I like new adventures, returning to Reggae Marathon every December is one my all-time favourite vacation running activities.  

Getting ready for Reggae Marathon ramps up now with under two months to go.  I look forward to touchdown in Montego Bay: The hot late afternoon sun once out of the airport terminal;  the cacaphony of sounds making my way to the JUTA Negril shuttle;  the smells...the air just smells better in Jamaica.

I eagerly anticipate the drive from Montego Bay to Negril and my favourite touchpoints:  The waterwheel at Tryall; the highpoint overlooking the harbour in Lucea; the marking on the road just past Green Island where the original Full Reggae Marathon course turned. And especially the sign for Long Bay Beach Park, the start and finish of Reggae Marathon.  Quiet as I pass by but crazy busy come race morning.

Once checked into my hotel, the lovely Rondel Village directly on the Negril beach, I ditch the long pants and shoes and head down to the beach for my first dip in the warm Caribbean.  Ahhh...I've arrived!  Then it's supper with Dan.

Every year since Dan and I have been staying at Rondel Village it's the same:  Red Stripe and Jerk Chicken for supper with lots of catch-up talk.  Even though we keep in touch throughout the year via phone, email and of course Facebook, it's nice to be face-to-face.  We really should record our conversations...I know we solve all the problems of the world.  Generally it's an early turn in for me after the long travel day but it's with anticipation of an early morning run the next morning.  And that first run in Negril each year is really special.

Despite the laid back attitude, Jamaicans are early risers.  On our early morning run along the main Negril road traffic is steady with people going to work, kids off to school and vendors and stores getting ready for the day.  There's a new sidewalk that runs almost the entire distance into the town of Negril and we often see locals sweeping and cleaning up.  It's always a sweaty run this first time out but then it's a +25 degree Celsius swing in temperature for me from Toronto to Negril. Love it!


Breakfast!  Dan and I meet up at the Rondel Village beach-side restaurant after we've changed into our beach toggs.  We always get a menu but the decision is always the same:  Hot Blue Mountain coffee, Ackee and Saltfish. Yes I make both back in Toronto, but enjoying Jamaica's national breakfast barefoot with sand between my toes is beyond sublime.  We take our time but all too soon it's time for the day's major activity:  Catching rays lounging beachside.

And the stories we tell!  In between Red Stripes, dozing off (at least I do), dips in the Caribbean and planning what to eat for lunch it's just hours of glorious sunshine on the white sand beach.  Under copiously slathered on Sunscreen of course. 

Yes it's tough getting ready for Reggae Marathon.  And I am ready to give it another go this December!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Road Trip Home after Reggae Marathon: Bittersweet

All the Family who ran and walked in Reggae Marathon 2013

Once again it was a great time in Negril at Reggae Marathon 2013.  Last Saturday was a fantastic day to go running.  Especially after the cold, snowy and wet conditions in Toronto the week prior to coming to Jamaica.  It'll be tough putting the shorts and short-sleeve running gear away until summer 2014! Brrrr!

Over the years I've been fortunate to have run in some great beach-side locations:  Biaritz, France with my friend Tim;  Bondi and Coogie Beaches in Australia;  San Diago, California; Stockholm, Sweden.  I have great memories of all of them but Negril, Jamaica is the best.  OK, Bondi Beach in Australia is pretty fantastic as well!  The combination of beach, warm weather, glorious food and the company of fellow runners makes it truly special.

This week at Reggae Marathon was even more special.  I caught up with my Cuz, Karin and her hubby, Christopher and his sister and friend.  We solved all the problems of the world once again...and that was before Uncle Donnie and Aunt Betty came for a visit!  They were in Montego Bay and made the short drive to Negril Saturday afternoon.  It was really nice to seem them here in Jamaica.

Then  to top it off, Andrew, Court, Amy and Carleigh came over from their resort to spend the day at Rondel Village.   We spent some time on the beach and playing in the ocean...it truly a family affair at Reggae Marathon this year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Larry, Dan, Navin and I should now call ourselves "The Four Musketeers".  Larry from Florida, New York, Dan from White Rock, British Columbia, Navin currently in Toronto but who we met in Negril a few years ago.  Hmmm...sounds like the title of a future blog post.

Final thoughts on Reggae Marathon 2013:

• The weather in Negril was great.  I love the sun so lying all day on the beach 'doing nothing' comes pretty close to heaven for me.  I had one last swim and baste experience this morning before the limo ride back to the airport.
• Jerk Pork!  Jerk Chicken is OK but I'm a pork guy.  I try to make a reasonable Jerk Pork back home in Canada but have not yet mastered it.  My Dad's version was pretty good and there are some restaurants in Toronto that do a good job but nothing, I mean nothing beats eating Jerk Pork from an outdoor restaurant in Jamaica.  That and a ice cold Red Stripe Beer...ahhhhh.....!!

It was a jam-packed week.  I'm packed for the return trip home and looking forward to being back home with Sally and Tia.  The shuttle leaves in an hour...

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

I'm packed and ready to go to Reggae Marathon!

Next stop, Negril, Jamaica for Reggae Marathon.

All new running gear
for Reggae Marathon

I used Reggae Marathon as an excuse for buying new running gear.  I'm running in the shoes now but the short tights and top will get their first runs this week in Negril.  Between the Running Room Outlet store and a sale at the Bloor Street West store, I scored great deals on pricing.  Better to save money than look good but if you can do both that's always a good thing.

I always stress over packing for Negril.  After bathing suit, shorts and T Shirts, my challenge is what to wear for dinner in the evenings.  I know, I know, Negril is known as the Capital of Casual but evenings out usually require clothing to be taken up a notch.  I usually pack too much but don't we all when we travel.

One of the best things about Reggae Marathon is the location:  Negril, Jamaica.  7 miles of white sand beach with gently lapping waves with temperatures in the high 20's Celsius. After the race itself this Saturday morning, the highlight for me is the Beach!  I am totally OK with spending hours just lying in the sun...after lathering up with sunblock of course. Here are a couple of shots of my paradise:

I'm packed and ready to go! 

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

75 Days to Reggae Marathon!

Larry, Chris, Dan ... Post-race, Reggae Marathon

Yikes!  Where did that year go?  It was only yesterday when I was waiting outside Rondel Village in Negril for the shuttle to take me back to the airport in Montego Bay for the trip home.  All my family and friends had left for home the day before and even though I enjoyed an early morning swim and a few hours lolling for the last time on the Negril beach, saying good by to Reggae Marathon 2012 was tough.  Only 364 days to go...

Fast forward...now under 75 days to go to Reggae Marathon 2013, my 5th consecutive Reggae Marathon.  It's the only race event I've done 5 times.  And yes I was born in Jamaica but this race has something special that brings me back year after year.

There have been both highlights and low times at Reggae Marathon.  Each experience...even the not so good ones...have been positive once enough time passed.  Here are some of the experiences that have stayed with me over the years:

• My first Reggae Marathon in 2009 was my second full marathon and my first and only complete marathon.  It wasn't pretty but I 'got it dun!'.  With my slow pace I spent a considerable amount of time under the mid-morning sun.  I was prepared and had trained for it yet nothing could prepare me for the long, long stretches of running with no one else in sight.  "The loneliness of the long distance runner?"  I got it!  The hardest part:  knowing that Sally was waiting for me at the finish line wondering when I would ever get to the finish.  Thanks for waiting Sally.
• My second Reggae Marathon event in 2010 was actually harder.  I entered the Half Marathon event and cockily predicted a sub-2 hour time.  It was not to be.  Even with my son Courtney running with me, I struggled.  I ran with a bad case of Plantar Fasciitis, in the wrong shoes and with the wrong T Shirt.  I overheated, destroyed my feet and crossed the finish line a mess.  Not my finest hour.
• Reggae Marathon #3 in 2011 was much better.  I had two of my sons, Andrew and Courtney in Negril along with one of their friends, Mike.  We all stayed at Rondel Village and had a blast playing on the beach before and after the race.  I entered the 10K and upon finishing could proudly claim I had 'Medalled' in each of the Reggae Marathon distances:  Full Marathon, Half and 10K.  Plus the highlight of this race was that I ran topless!  Don't worry, I didn't scare anyone...it was dark the entire race.
• My 2012 Reggae Marathon could have been a disaster.  Barely 2 months before race day I broke some bones in my right foot.  I missed a planned half marathon that fall but expected to be fully recovered for the 10K event in Negril.  Never happened.  I was still in my walking cast when I traveled to Negril and I promised Sally I wouldn't run.  I kept my word and walked the entire 10K in my walking cast.  For the first time I got the opportunity to take pictures along the route...some of them priceless to me.

For 2013 I'm back for the event December 7.  I'll be running the 10K event once again.  Truth be told, it's my favourite distance...it's how I got into running in the first place.  I'm totally looking forward to it.  Beach, sun, run...Reggae Marathon 2013 here I come!

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Running in the Dark

I don't like Daylight Savings Time.  "Spring ahead, fall back".  I can never get it right.  Like most others, I sleep terribly for a couple of days after the bi-annual time change. Last weekend we had the Spring Ritual of 'spring ahead' when we moved the clocks ahead. I was a marketing guy so I professionally appreciate the catchy description.  But it doesn't mask the fact that after a all too brief few weeks of early morning runs in the soft morning light, I'm back to running in the dark.

There is some irony to me running in the dark as I start regular running again after recovering from my foot injury.  That's how I started running many years ago (How it Started).  But I'm not hiding from anyone now and like exchanging the 'Runner's Hand Flip' with other runners I meet.  It's easier to do that when we can see each other.

I also hate being super vigilant in pre-dawn runs with vehicles.  I always run facing traffic and mostly stay on the sidewalks.  There is one stretch of road without sidewalks and even with the clearly delineated Bike Lane, cars and especially SUV's seem oblivious.  And I have my Running Room Reflective Gear!

There is only one day of the year when running in the dark is actually fabulous:  The first Saturday of December for the annual running of the Reggae Marathon. This year it's on December 7 and it will be my 5th consecutive time in Negril, Jamaica.  The drumming, the torch lights, the crowds...all anxious to get started promptly at 5:15 am.  And come to think of it, little Jamaica doesn't observe Daylight Savings Time!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy
++++++++++

I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My planned races in 2013 include:

1. The Sporting Life 10K, May 12
2. The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20
3. The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

The Runner's Prayer

My sister Ginette sent me this on my 55th birthday last Friday and I was moved to share it.  A prayer for runners and a mention in the Bible!

O Lord, may I never just look as if I’m in the race – the race you have set before me.Instead, let me be running with all my heart. And may I never allow myself to be detoured by the difficulties of life. Amen 

“Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”   Hebrews 12:1

The photo above features me with Larry Savitch on the left and Dan Cumming on the right.  It was taken after we completed our various Reggae Marathon events last December in Jamaica.  Runners...Friends...Uncomplicated.  I pray for more friends like that.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

++++++++++

I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My planned races in 2013 include:

1. The Sporting Life 10K, May 12
2. The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20
3. The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

Reggae Marathon 2012 was Special!

I almost cracked open a bottle of champagne last Sunday.  The occasion?  Four consecutive days of running since breaking my foot last September.  And in really bad running conditions as well:  super cold one day, sloppy conditions the next;  clear sidewalk one morning, watch out for the black ice the next!  One thing that has kept me motivated are the memories from last December's Reggae Marathon:

Don't let the gray hair fool you...I am still a 12 year old at heart.  Just ask Sally!  I still love running straight into the Caribbean fully dressed right after finishing.  This year I remembered to take off my running shoes.

If there was ever a shot of a master at work this would be it.  Sully, no one has ever consumed a fresh cut coconut with as much skill as you demonstrated in this photo from Reggae Marathon last December.  

I have seen sunsets from Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles, Biarritz in the South of France and in Sydney, Australia.  They are all fantastic in their own way and I know I have missed a number of others but the sunset from the Cliffs in Negril's West End is my favourite!

The 'After' shot.  We're only missing Mark in this shot.  He was still working on finishing his first half marathon.  Brave sole...I hear he is training hard for the Mississauga Marathon this spring.  Oh, and did you notice Andrew's shoes?  He had a special 'Jamaica Colours' made just for Reggae Marathon.  This year I'll get him to try Pumas.

Yes I'm back running.  Taking it slowly for the rest of the winter with the goal of the Sporting Life 10K on May 12 as my first event.  If all goes well, planning on the ending the year back at Reggae Marathon December 7 for my 5th consecutive race event!  Where did those 5 years go?

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

++++++++++

I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December 31.  My planned races in 2013 include:

1. The Sporting Life 10K, May 12
2. The Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20
3. The Reggae Marathon, December 7.  

Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.

Photos from my Reggae Marathon 'Walkabout'

Ossies Jerk Centre was open again on Washington Manley Boulevard in Negril last December!  And it was ... GREAT!

Sally and experienced Ossies on our first trip to Negril for Reggae Marathon back in 2009.  An open air 'shack' just off the road that served the best Jerk Pork and Jerk Chicken I've had in many years. Perfectly seasoned:  not too hot, nice jerk seasoning.   Add some Festival, Rice and Peas and a cold Red Stripe.  Can you say "Perfectly Delicious".

Two of the four in this shot actually have real smiles at being up at 4:30 am on a Saturday morning in our running gear ready to run Reggae Marathon.  Can you guess which two?

Debbie of Washington, DC, wife of good Reggae Marathon friend Bob Moore had this saying on her running shirt.  Beer, rum...run...rum, beer!  Add 'Beach' and Reggae Marathon could be the perfect vacation for a runner.

We met online, connected for the first time at Reggae Marathon 2011.  Last December at Reggae Marathon 2012 we had the chance to spend some 'quality time' together.  Both above after the race and again on the beach when we shared 'tall tales' and a few cold beers on the Negril beach.  Good times...great friendship!

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

++++++++++++

I'm raising funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation in 2013.  My goal is to raise $2,000 by December.  My planned races are the Toronto Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 1/2 Marathon, October 20 and the Reggae Marathon, December 7.  Please join me on Facebook at Run for Heart.