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

Today is not the day I no longer run!

I know one day I will not be able to run.  On that day Sally will make sure that I take up swimming, cycling or walking.

I'm not afraid of that day...it just happens that today is not that day!

I got this quote from Gibson's Daily Running Quotes and just loved it.  You can find them on Twitter and Facebook.  I follow them on Twitter and am a fan on Facebook and on the mornings when I am not motivated to run, they get me up and out. Check them out at the links above.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Running to keep hearts beating

I run to stay healthy both mentally and physically.  At least that's what I say in public.  The truth is that I run because it is the only way I can get people to stop smoking and take care of their heart.  It really sucks to loose someone to heart disease or stroke.  Last week I lost someone I love, my Mother-in-Law, Elizabeth Puodziukas.  She was 91 years old and experienced more in those years than any of us will ever experience in ours.  From the horrors and trials escaping from Lithuania on foot at the height of World War II as a 20 year old to building a new life in Canada in the wilds of Northern Ontario, she did it without hesitation.  As Sally said so touchingly last Sunday, "Over her 91 years and 16 days her heart beat nearly 3 Billion times and each one with love". We miss you!

Elizabeth, this run's for you:  Reggae Marathon 2011!

Please don't just read this blog post and move on.  Take a moment to make a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario.  Click this link, Run for Heart.  Help me keep hearts beating.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy