Monday, December 14, 2009

The strength to get back up: Nick Vujicic

"Never, ever give up" is something I have believed for years. 

Nothing, however hit home harder than this video of Nick Vujicic

Failure occurs when you give up trying.

Until next time...

Reggae Marathon, Negril, Jamaica...what's not to like: sea, sand...running


What's not to love about Negril?  Miles of soft, white sandy beach.  Warm Caribbean water steps from our hotel room...barefoot every day. Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine!  Jerk pork, chicken, rice and peas from Ossies Jerk Centre across the road from our hotel, Foote Prints



After a simply fabulous Rasta Pasta carbo load party, the organizers of the Reggae Marathon asked me to speak at the Media Briefing about the story of running my first marathon and dedicating it to raising money for the Canadian Diabetes Association.  Well attended event with international media well represented.  This was the 9th year of the Reggae Marathon and participation surged to over 1,200 runners entered in the three events:  10 K, 1/2 Marathon and Full Marathon.  Next year, the 10th is expected to be even better.


6:00 am approaching the 5 mile mark.  I have no idea what mile 16 will feel like once the sun comes up...
Sally took this picture...after getting up early and before coffee.  A trooper!


Mile 9 and the sun is just cresting the tree line.  Although there is bagged water and Gatorade at each mile, I have a camel back water system, a water bottle with gels around my waist as well as the 700 ml bottle in my hand.  Taking no chances.  Turns out that a key way to stay cool is to spray water over my entire body while running.  Works. 

Another cool thing about the Reggae Marathon:  they play reggae music...Loud Reggae Music...at every mile along the entire route.  You run toward the music the entire race.  You can sing and run!


Can you say, "Get me an aspirin?"

26.2 miles.  5 hours and 25 minutes.  +42 degrees Celsius humidex.  It took 15 minutes in the cold shower tent...ice cold water dumped over my head to remove that look of agony.  It was emotional.  It was worth it.


Unfortunately all good things must come to an end.  Took this sunset picture on our last evening in Negril. 

Until next year...

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Unfinished Business Finished at the Reggae Marathon in Negril, December 2009

December 5, 2009 is the date I finished 'Unfinished Business".  And it only took 5 hours and 25 minutes under the extreme late morning heat along the Norman Manley Highway from Negril to Green Island and back in the 2009 Reggae Marathon.

What was I thinking?  I could have picked a marathon in Toronto...actually could have chosen from the two that are both run in the fall.  I have been asked the question so many times. And the answer every time is that there was a strong emotional pull to do it on the island of my birth.  Added to that:  my Dad was 'uber Jamaican'.  Even after 36+ years living in Canada, he kept up-to-date on the goings-on and was always quick with his opinion on how to fix things.

When the starter's gun went off at 5:15 am last Saturday, it was all I could do to hold back the tears.  Can't run and cry. 


And at the finish...couldn't hold back the tears here.  (Note:  this picture was taken by Sally who with the help of new friends Bob and Debbie from Washington, DC, got her into the media area.  Thanks guys.  Check out their web site, Washington Running Report for another picture of guess who :))

Days later I am still flying high with the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment of conquering the heat, humidity and distance.  Somehow I don't think that feeling will diminish.

And the best part:  even though we did not hit our goal of raising $10,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association, we managed to raise just under $5,000 in only three months! 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTED.  Your generous contributions kept me going when it got really lonely and desolate on the road last Saturday.



OK, the second best thing...taken less than 5 minutes after finishing.  Now that's the real reason for choosing the Reggae Marathon in Negril.  Could not have done that in Toronto.  And if you must know the gory details, I consumed over 10 litres of liquid over the race, 5 gel packs of bad tasting but supremely effective goo and more litres of recovery liquids with electrolytes than I thought I could drink.  Not sure what it did to my stomach, but it got me through the hours and helped immensely with the recovery. 

And to my friends on the Wasaga Beach Road Runners:  you were right about showing respect for the heat.  HELL ON EARTH but I beat the Devil that morning.

Do you run for yourself or someone else? I run because I love to run. I really run to honour those who no longer can.


"I finished"

Until next time...

Sunday, December 6, 2009

A very excellent run in the Reggae Marathon Dec 5

This is the actual result of the run on Dec 5 as published by the Reggae Marathon.
 
Thanks Andre
 


Chris,

Excellent result!!!  Very irie man!!!

André


Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K - 2009
Marathon - Individual Results
December 5, 2009 in Jamaica



Summary
Number of Finishers:
126
Number of Females:
47
Number of Males:
79
Average Time:
4:48:06


Chris Morales
bib number:
102
age:
51
gender:
M
location:
Wasaga Beach, ON
overall place:
91 out of 131
division place:
15 out of 20
gender place:
63 out of 79
time:
5:26:07
pace:
12:24
2.9mi:
33:45
5.8mi:
1:09:51
9.5mi:
1:58:16
16mi:
3:20:04
22.6mi:
4:38:26
chip time:
5:24:56