Walking May 1 for Heart & Stroke

Yes, walking, not running. I'm not sure how I am going to do that but it is the first fund raising event of 2010 for Sally and I and I know I can do it.  The training though...now that's going to be tough.  But it will be worth it to help fight heart disease.

We have an ambitious fund raising goal in 2010 for moralesBcause:  $20,000 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  We can't get there all at once.  We have 4 events planned so far: 

1. Reggae Marathon on December 4 in Negril
2. Toronto 1/2 Marathon on October 17 in Toronto
3. Becel Ride for Heart on June 6 in Toronto
4. Our first fund raising event of 2010, walking in Strides for Stroke on May 1 in Richmond Hill. 

Cheering, walking along and donations all welcome.  All for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Shhhhhh...I have a special request, but please don't tell Sally.  She is worried that I won't walk with her.  That I will find it too slow.  Since this was her idea to participate in this walking event, I have assured her that I will walk with her.  Unfortunately she doesn't believe me.  My request is that you to send her an email with best wishes and telling her not to worry.  I'll walk beside her.  Here's her email address:  sally.pennock@bell.net.

And of course you can donate to moralesBcause directly and securely at this link:  http://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=269328&lis=0&kntae269328=1E7A35E360FD449FB50EE14576EF2901&supId=281071959

Now back to training...May 1 will come quickly and I want to be ready to walk.

Vacation and run in Negril, Jamaica at the December 2010 Reggae Marathon

The Best Pasta Party at Couples Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica Friday December 3, 2010 the night before the Reggae Marathon run!

Don't take our word for it, here is what Bob Moore of the Washington Post has to say about the Reggae Marathon:  http://www.runwashington.com/news/2296/314/

You can be in Negril, Jamaica for the Reggae Marathon this December.  The truly 'all inclusive' vacation/run trip departs Toronto for Jamaica on Thursday, December 2.  You rendezvous at Pearson Airport where you get your special Goodie Bag.  The first of two. 

After the plane trip you arrive in Montego Bay late afternoon and are transported by private coach to Negril in time to catch a spectacular sunset from the beachfront of the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort in Negril.  That and cocktails on the beach of course. All included in the vacation trip price.

Day 2, December 3 is a free day.  If you are running, you should plan to go out for a slow 3 miler around 9 am after the sun is up.  You will get a feel for the conditions.  Take the sun, temperature and humidity in Negril seriously.  Plan to drink at every water stop (every mile).  The Reggae Marathon has the best hydration system:  bagged Gatorade and water.  There is really no need to bring your own along.  You may want to bring your own gels however.  Check Running Room for the special 'hot weather' gels.

And then you hit the Negril beach. 

Around 5 pm or so Friday evening head toward the Couples Swept Away Sporting Complex for the Pasta Party.  You can pick up your race kit at that time along with your second Goodie Bag.  The Reggae Marathon registration is included in our 'all inclusive' vacation price. The hotels and resorts along the beach in Negril compete to see who can offer the most and best pasta.  All-you-can eat.  Hot, cold...too much to list.  You will leave fully carbo loaded.  And this is included in the price of the trip if you are a registered runner.

The Reggae Marathon Pasta Party also has live music which really gets you into the Jamaican groove. 

But don't dawdle, Day 3 dawns dark and early with the 5:15 am start.  Plan to be at the start/finish area by 4:30 am latest.  The atmosphere is electric with loud reggae and energetic announcers.

You start on time.  The race organizers are serious about this.  Blazing torches illuminate the start then its off into the dark for the first 5 miles as you loop into the town of Negril before heading back to the start/finish line.

Drink at every stop!  This cannot be stressed enough.  The temperature is into the 20's even at this early hour.

Then enjoy the run.  Music at every stop.  You will actually hear the music from about 1/2 mile away from each stop.  Cool experience to run toward the music...you will appreciate this later in the morning...especially if you are running the full marathon.

If you are running the 10 K or 1/2 Marathon, you will be done as the sun breaks the horizon.  And since this is Jamaica after all, Red Stripe and coconut water shortly after you cross the finish line.  Full marathoners will have to wait a little longer.

Then after a quick post race dip in the Caribbean its back to the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort for more sun and fun before heading out the the post-race awards party Saturday evening (transportation to this event along with admission is included...did we not say 'all inclusive'). 

Sunday and Monday, Day 4 and 5 again at leisure.  Breakfast, beach, lunch, drinks, beach, drinks, beach, supper, party! Repeat.  All food and beverage at the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort is included in your vacation price.  Whew!

Tuesday Day 6 is departure day from Negril back to Montego Bay for your flight back to Toronto.  You get breakfast on the beach and a final swim before heading via private coach back to the airport.

The price for this running vacation is less than than $1,500!  Less if you are not running.  All inclusive:  airfair to/from Toronto to Montego Bay, Jamaica; transfers to/from Montego Bay to Negril; Reggae Marathon race registration and Pasta Party at Couples Swept Away; all food and beverage at the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort; Goodie Bags; all taxes.  The final trip price will be firmed-up once air fares are confirmed.

10 rooms are on hold. That's 20 people.  Act now to reserve your exclusive run vacation this December Please email us directly at chris.morales@bell.net by March 31 to get details on how to confirm your place.

And remember, this is a fund raiser for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  To make a donation, just click on this link, 'moralesBcause' to make a secure donation via credit card on our donation site.

Will you be joining us in Negril, Jamaica this December for the Reggae Marathon run vacation?

How about a trip to Negril December 2010 for the Reggae Marathon?

Its cold and the forecast calls for more snow in Southern Ontario.  What a perfect time to share with you our plans for traveling to Negril, Jamaica in December 2010 for the Reggae Marathon.  Tough to train in the snow, but great to visualize the beach in Negril.

If you decide to go this December, either to run the Reggae Marathon or just for vacation, you can expect to stay in Negril on the Beach at a lovely gem-of-a resort, the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort.  This is the picture of the Negril beach from the front of the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort.

Of course it is an all-inclusive resort with rooms in small, intimate buildings scattered throughout the resort property.  Pool...Negril Beach...tough decision!

The Grand Pineapple is located about 3/4 of a mile from the start/finish line of the Reggae Marathon.  You will enjoy the unique experience of heading to the start line in the pitch black warm tropical night with the other runners.  And the plunge into the Caribbean Sea after is indescribable.  That and the Red Stripe.

Since this is early in the year, we have managed to secure great prices for the Grand Pineapple Beach Resort.  If we commit by end-of-March, the price will be hard to beat for a 5 day run vacation in Negril (you depart Toronto Dec 2 and return Dec 7).  You arrive on Thursday evening, have a day on Friday to get ready for the Reggae Marathon on Saturday then have 3 days of fun on the Beach after.  Let me correct that...5 days of fun and frivolity...this is Jamaica after all and we are in Negril!

Please send an email to chris.morales@bell.net if you are interested in getting more information about this trip to Negril for the Reggae Marathon.  I'll let you know all the booking details at that time.

And remember, this is all for a good cause:  fund raising for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  You can check out our personal donation page at the link above.

Negril in December to run in the Reggae Marathon...what a great way to end the year!

morales B cause 2010 fund raising: $20,000 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario

February is Heart Month! It kicks off today.

Today Sally and I are also announcing our 2010 fund raising campaign, "morales B cause".  We are walking/riding/running to raise $20,000 for the Heart & Stroke foundation of Ontario.  Sally and I are attending the kickoff event for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario in Richmond Hill tonight. 
Last year we had a blast raising money for the Canadian Diabetes Association.  In just over two and a half months we raised $5,000.  And we survived the Reggae Marathon in Negril to do it! 

We thought long and hard about what to do to top that in 2010.  Personal experiences on both sides of our family guided our decision to raise $20,000 this year for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  Sally's older brother, Jules Puodziukas was only 59 when he suffered a major stroke and passed away just over 5 years ago.  And my Father, after years of fighting health complications, passed away in 2008 after he suffered a major heart attack. 

There is so much each of us can do to do to help fight heart and stroke...Sally and I are doing our part one step at a time.  Our plan in 2010 is to walk, ride and run in a number of events throughout the year, starting with a walking event this spring and ending with the Reggae Marathon in Negril in December 2010.  And yes, the popular Paintball fundraiser at Wasaga Beach Paintball Adventure will be back bigger and better as well.

You can help with your donations.  Please join us:

1. Follow us on this blog.  On the right side of the page you will see a box where you can subscribe via email.  We do not share your email information.  Updates on how and what we are up to will be posted on this blog.
2. Follow us on facebook.  We have set up a fan page to spread the word:  http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/morales-B-cause/256403003370?ref=ts
3. NEW THIS YEAR!  Donate on-line securely with your credit card by clicking the link below. It takes you directly to our morales b cause Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario donation page  http://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=269328&lis=0&kntae269328=1E7A35E360FD449FB50EE14576EF2901&supId=281071959

Sally and I will be announcing our first event shortly.  It will be a walking event in the spring.  Sally made me promise that I would actually walk with her...that will be a first.

Please join us one step at a time this year to raise funds to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario...