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.

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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

A week tomorrow I'm on a plane to Reggae Marathon

Court and Andrew in Negril for Reggae Marathon

Where did the year go?

A week tomorrow I head down to Jamaica for my 5th consecutive visit to Negril and Reggae Marathon.  I started with the Full Marathon back in 2009, did the Half Marathon in 2010 and the 10K in 2011.  Last year I walked the 10K in my foot cast, broken leg and all. I'm back this year running the 10K again looking not only for redemption but a personal best.

I have a brutal travel next Wednesday with my departure out of Toronto at 6 ish am.  I'm travelling on American Airlines and with no direct flights from Toronto to Montego Bay, I have a long stop-over in Miami on the way down.  The airport has Wi-Fi but they charge so I'll be hunting out the American Airlines lounge which has free Wi-Fi.  If I sit close enough to the lounge I can get pretty robust and reliable Internet connection.  Shhh...don't tell anyone my secret.

After I pick up some Duty-free Vodka in Miami, it's a quick flight to Montego Bay.  I'm already booked with JUTA Negril for the just-under-two hour drive to Negril so with any luck should arrive at Rondel Village, my hotel in Negril, in time to have dinner with my friend Dan Cumming.  Dan is travelling to Negril for his third consecutive Reggae Marathon event and even though we've communicated regularly throughout the year, we'll have a lot to catch up on.  I'll try to keep it to only one Red Stripe that first evening.

The next couple of days in Negril before the race Saturday morning go something like this:  early morning running followed by breakfast then lazing on the beach until lunch.  More sunning and swimming for the afternoon before dinner and an early bed time.  I know, I know...sounds tough.  Don't worry, I'll be able to handle it.

Friday night before Reggae Marathon is a BIG evening.  As part of my job as official Reggae Marathon Blogger and Social Media RunninGuy, I've invited everything to meet me at 7 pm.  If only a few show up at the appointed time, I'll be swamped.  But then again these are runners from around the world who I've communicated with online all year.  It should be fun.

It's early-to-bed Friday night ahead of the 3:30 am wake up Saturday morning.  I'll grab a quick light breakfast before walking the mile or so to the Reggae Marathon start for 4:30 am.  I'll catch up with the rest of the family who have also come from Canada:  Andrew and Carleigh, Carleigh's parents and brother, Court and Amy and of course, 'Sulleh' who is coming from New York for his third event.  I'll be waiting for them at the Finish Line, Red Stripe in hand since they are all doing the Half Marathon.  

With the warm temperature in Negril, it won't be hard leaving the chilly, snowy wintry conditions behind next Wednesday morning.

Until next time...almost in Negril...
ThatRunninGuy

Proper Running Form

Courtesy of
Gibson's Daily Run Quotes

I spent many years running not worrying at all about form.  When disaster struck about 3 years ago...first Plantar Fasciitis then broken foot bones...I had to finally think about proper running form if I wanted to continue to run.  And I love to run!

The very first thing I did was change from 'Heel Strike' to 'Forefoot' or 'Mid-foot' running.  It took some time to get used to but now it's completely natural.  It led to a change in shoes:  not fully minimal but I have moved completely away from the traditional 'wedge' running shoe.

I've also scoured the web to find training tips to improve my form and speed.  I found this one recently and like the easy suggestions and training tips.

Enjoy and keep running.  That's my plan.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy