Caught lying down after Reggae Marathon 2011

After completing the 10K in the Reggae Marathon this morning and before having my first Red Stripe beer, Gina Harrison of Reggae Marathon caught this picture of me taking a picture of me taking picture of a runner relaxing beside the pile of discarded coconuts.  That's the true story and I'm sticking to it.

It really was a magnificent Reggae Marathon event today in Negril.  As you know by now I had a delay in getting to Negril and only arrived Friday night at 7 pm at the Pasta Party in time to fill up on pasta for Saturday's race.  Both Andrew and Court ran the 1/2 marathon and they had fantastic results!  These boys can run!  They placed 31 and 45th overall in the entire field of 1/2 marathon runners and it's only the second time they have run the distance.  I am tremendously proud of them.  And their good friend Mike who ran the 10K with me also did really well.  Mike, great job.

The best part of the Reggae Marathon is not the coconuts, Red Stripe beer or even the swim in the ocean immediately after the race.  The best part is what the four of us did back at the hotel:  hanging out on lounges 10 feet from the gently beating surf on the white sand of Negril.  Now that's Reggae Marathon.

The absolutely best part of the experience is the result of the Run for Heart campaign:  with the generous donation yesterday, we topped out at $2,050...over the target.  It is simply not possible for me to describe my feelings at the generosity and support that you all showed toward this campaign.  I know I ran the distance in the Toronto 1/2 Marathon and the Reggae Marathon but it was because I was carried on your shoulders.  Thank you.


Until next time...
ThatRunninguy

Daylight come and me wanna go run the Reggae Marathon

Enough talk, it's time to go running!

After a small delay this week, I'm off to Negril, Jamaica for Reggae Marathon 2011 this morning.  Didn't sleep a wink last night...I felt like a kid on Christmas Eve.  Come to think of it, Reggae Marathon is a great way to kick off the Christmas season.  And since I arrive in time to go directly to the Reggae Marathon Pasta Party tonight, I'll do my best to sleep on the plane because I know there will be precious little sleep tonight.  It is a 5:15 am race start after all.

The wackiest thing about today is the staggered arrivals of Andrew, Court and I.  Andrew and his friend arrive at 2:20 pm; Court arrives at 3:20 pm and I arrive at 4:20 pm.  Whew!  Next year we will have to plan this much better.  The important thing though is that we all connect this evening at the Couples Swept Away Sports Complex for the Pasta Party.  Carbo loading here we come!

The really good news is on the Heart & Stroke Foundation fund raising campaign.  I'm up to $1,800 for the Run for Heart campaign.  Thank you everybody for your generous donations and support.  But don't be shy:  there is still time to donate.  Just click on this link, Run for Heart to make a donation now.  I'd love to get back from Jamaica having met my goal of raising $2,000 for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

Anyway, gotta go now...boarding shortly for Jamaica and Reggae Marathon 2011!

Until next time...

ThatRunninguy

Sunny and warm for next Saturday's Reggae Marathon

The forecast in Negril, Jamaica next Saturday for Reggae Marathon 2011 will be virtually ideal for both running and vacationing:  27 degrees Celsius.  And do we ever have a special run ahead of us!

I arrive in Negril this Wednesday and have the advantage of a couple of pre-Reggae Marathon running days to help get used to the temperature.  Andrew, Court and their friend Mike arrive Friday evening just in time for the  Pasta Party at Couples Swept Away Sporting Complex.  Then it's off to our hotel, Rondel Village, a small boutique-style place a mile or so away from the start.

Next Saturday morning around 4 am we'll walk and jog over to the start at Long Bay Beach Park for the on-time Reggae Marathon race start at 5:15 am.  Court and Andrew are running the 1/2 Marathon and Mike and I are doing the 10K.

This is my third trip to Negril for the Reggae Marathon and after this I will have completed all three events:  The full marathon, 1/2 marathon and 10K.  I will have the full set of finisher medals.  I guess next year I'll have to work my way back up through the distances.  If I do that, my 2nd full Reggae Marathon would happen at age 55 in 2013.  Hmmmmm, I wonder if there is any significance in that?

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Retiring my 1st Puma Faas 500 Running Shoes after Reggae Marathon

They have been a lifesaver these first pair of Puma Faas 500 running shoes.  Coming off a nagging long-term foot injury, these shoes helped me make the successful transition to forefront or 'natural-style' running.  And after the Reggae Marathon next Saturday in Negril, Jamaica I'll retire them.  But not to worry, guess what I asked for from Sally for Christmas.  Now if only I can decide on the colour.  Should I stay with red or go to the gorgeous black and green?  

Here is my ode to my well worn Puma Faas 500 running shoes.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy