Running is both a solitary and social activity.  Individual effort within a community of like-minded runners helps both newbies and seasoned runners.  Just ask Dan Cumming.

The inspiration to run and the motivation to keep running is highly personal.  Achieving victory after setting a goal is unrivaled.

Here are just some of the individual victory celebrated at Reggae Marathon:

• I wanted to finish first in my age group
• I was aiming for a top 10 finish
• I shaved time off my previous Reggae Marathon event!!
• Looking for a personal best
• Just want to cross the finish line
• Raising money for charity
• Celebrate beating my cancer
• I’m running to honour the memory of my parent

All of these personal victories of overcoming challenges are driven by perseverance in the face of adversity.

And it all pays off when that friendly volunteer reaches out through the blur and excitement of the finish and places the ‘Finishers Medal’ over your head.  I treasure each and every one and keep them front-and-center in my home (to the chagrin of my wife of course).  Each one signifies a personal victory.

Victory at Reggae Marathon celebrated with family is truly beautiful!   Under 200 days now to Reggae Marathon 2012, December 1 in Negril.  Will you be here to celebrate your personal victory?

Until next time…

It’s so easy some mornings when it’s cold and raining to stop running.  Especially those mornings when I’m doing speed-work at the track.  This inspiration motivates me to ‘git er dun’.

While I’m an early morning runner, it’s not the only time to go running.  And while running at midnight might attract attention, I love the sentiment.  Plus, it’s always 6 am somewhere.

“Take one and call me in the morning”.  I’m not a doctor but this quote seems like a great prescription for…just about every ailment!

While not strictly a running quote, this expression takes it from thinking about running to actually going running.  And it made me smile.

This got me through my first marathon, the 2009 Reggae Marathon.  It gets me through everyday life.  I shared it with my kids.  Remember, life is not a dress rehearsal.

Do you have any favorite inspirational quotes?  If so, I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time…

After the dust settled, Larry Savitch of Florida, New York emerged victorious and is now the proud owner of a Medal from Red Line Laser Engraving, Puma Faas 500 running shoes from Reggae Marathon and a couple of Red Stripe 6-packs from Dan and I.  He also gets bragging rights for a year.  That will be insufferable of course but we’ll have the opportunity to bring him down a notch at Reggae Marathon this December. Let’s keep that a secret.

By now you know that Larry Savitch, Dan Cumming and I met online in 2010 and travelled to Negril to run in the Reggae Marathon event last December.  We spiced up our spring training and running with the Reggae Runners Half Marathon Challenge that pitted us mano y mano even though we ran in different events and are over 20 years apart in age.

With the exception of Dan, Larry and I had tough races.  Larry went out hard and fast and paid the price with a tough final 5 K.  I was nursing a pulled calf muscle that held up through the first 10 K but slowed me for the final half, good enough for 3rd place in the Challenge.  Dan the seasoned runner that he is cruised through comfortably in 2nd place.  Larry and I are quietly nursing the pain this week. And while Dan is not one to gloat, I know he is smiling that knowing smile along with the “I told you so’s”.

The afterglow this week has been fantastic!  So much positive feedback on Facebook that we were all challenged to keep up last Sunday afternoon.  Thanks.  The photos below were taken immediately after we received our medals and with the exception of Dan, show Larry and I with our game faces on.

Larry

Dan

Chris

So what’s next?  Plan for an even bigger and better 2nd Annual Reggae Runners Half Marthon Challenge in 2013 of course.  We hope you’ll join in.  Now can I have my hair back please?

Until next time…

At that event in the pre-dawn that Saturday morning a lanky high teenager, part of the William Knibb High School team was in the crowd.  He was part of The Schoolers Teams made up of 4 runners. Each would run a 10.5 KM leg of the Marathon event.

That young man charged to the top of the world sprint stage with multiple gold medals and world records at the 2008 Olympic games. He was  Usain Bolt. If you were in the stands at the National Stadium last Saturday night  you witnessed the spectacular start of his 2012 campaign with his 9.82 time in the 100M .

So when we line up again this December for Reggae Marathon 2012, will there be a future world champion in the crowd?

Until next time…

The Heart Foundation of Jamaica are our charity partners and we support the good work that they do to prevent heart disease and raise awareness in Jamaica.  They have supported Reggae Marathon for many years and recently have fielded a Heart Foundation team in Negril.  They also donate and present trophies to winning corporate teams in the Reggae Marathon Half Marathon & 10K and provide basic health checks at Registration & Expo as well as all the road races leading up to the event.  Today, please join us in supporting The Heart Foundation of Jamaica and ‘Wear Red’.

‘Go Red for Women Today!”

Until next time…

First, Dan Cumming.  He’s the seasoned runner of the threesome.  Or so he thinks.  I’ve been running for nearly 30 years now and have a couple of years of competitive triathlons under my belt. Dan’s big advantage will be his grace under fire.  He adapts quickly to adversity.  See how he dealt with a major challenge at last December’s Reggae Marathon.  Yes you’ve climbed a mountain Dan, but are you really ready for the Reggae Runners Half Marathon Challenge?

Then there’s Larry Savitch.  His claim to advantage is that he’s a personal trainer and works out with something called a ‘kettlebell’ whatever that is.  Hope it helps with your speed and endurance in your half marathon in New Jersey this weekend Larry. Seriously though, Larry is a personal trainer and works out every day.  He may be the fastest overall but that may not be enough.   Still love your Daniel Craig impersonation last December Larry.

And in my case, I’ve been working primarily on speed.  I made the transition to the forefoot running style last year after recovering from a nasty plantar fasciitis injury after Reggae Marathon 2010.  As well, for the first time in years I’ve been logging some track work at a local high school.  Combined with some solid LSD runs, I’ll give Larry and Dan a run for their money this Sunday.  And did I mention that the first half of my race is downhill?  Oops, sorry guys.

Oh, I should mention that we are all running clean shaven this Sunday.  Bald, down to the scalp for each of us this weekend.  Yikes!  At least for me.  I like my short salt and pepper look but completely clean shaven?  Maybe it will help reduce wind resistance.

So there you have it.  Our way of ‘having fun’ between Reggae Marathons.  There’s still time to vote for the winner on Facebook.  You know who to vote for:  Reggae Runners Half Marathon Challenge.

Until next time…

Then I saw Peter Greenberg’s video, Hidden Gems of Jamaica.  From dog sled mushing, Jerk Chicken, the Great Plantation houses to the Lighthouse in Negril…he reminds that there is much to see and experience beyond the beach.  For sure this December I’m adding on a day to take in Kool Runnings in Negril.  I can’t promise I’ll  ’play with the snakes’ but taking a rafting tour of the Great Morass after playing paintball is on my agenda.  Check out the video:

Until next time…

The Lighthouse is the the most western point of the island.  Hey, Cuba is just 90 miles away!  Take the time to make it out to the Lighthouse when you visit any of the superb restaurants and entertainment spots to catch the famous Negril sunset.

Snakes!  Yikes!  I thought the mongoose had taken care of all the snakes.  Another of the attractions at the Kool Runnings Adventure Park allows you to get up close and personal with…snakes!  All yours.

Lots off other things to do in and around Negril including golf, trips out to the reef and rum plantation tours to name a few.  But as a certified member of the ‘Negril Beach Lovers Society’ (NBLS) , I had to include a photo of one of our charter members enjoying himself after successfully competing in Reggae Marathon 2011.

And here’s another member of the Negril Beach Lovers Society practicing the initiation ritual for entry into the NBLS.  Yes she is now a full-fledged member.

So in addition to your beach, swimming and suntanning time, plan to add a couple of things to your post-Reggae Marathon vacation this year.  I will but I can’t promise visiting with the snakes.

Until next time…

We’re not racing for big money but we do have some cool prizes for the winner:  A pair of Puma Faas 500 running shoes courtesy of Reggae Marathon and Puma; finisher medals courtesy of Red Line Laser Engraving and of course a 6 pack of Red Stripe after the Reggae Marathon in December.  The big prize though will be bragging rites for the rest of the year!

I can’t speak for Dan or Larry but I’ve been training hard this spring which is something I don’t normally do.  In particular I’ve working on my speed using the Magic Mile training routine.  The first time was a killer but the workout got easier.  Plus I’ve stolen…er, borrowed…a page from fittness trainer Larry and have been doing strength exercises to pump up my core.  Dan has been the most diligent so far…he has actually been putting in the road miles.  Yes, he’s been out running!

So here’s where we’ll be running May 6.  If you’r running in any of these races we’d love to hear from you.

Goodlife Fitness Toronto 1/2 Marathon

I’m running in the Goodlife Fitness Toronto 1/2 Marathon.  It’s a point-to-point race and I have a secret advantage:  it’s all downhill.  Shhh…don’t tell Larry or Dan.

New Jersey 1/2 Marathon

Larry is running in the New Jersey 1/2 Marathon in Long Branch, New Jersey.  He’s the youngest of the three of us and has it in his head that he will be the fastest.  Likely his real time will be the fastest but that’s the beauty of age-adjustment…buckle up Larry!

Vancouver 1/2 Marathon

Dan is running the ‘new course’ Vancouver 1/2 Marathon which is also point-to-point.  Arguably he has the best scenery.  Concentrate on running Dan and try to ignore the stunning sea and mountain views of downtown Vancouver…Larry and I are gunning for you.

Until next time…

I caught up with the busy Karin Wilson-Edmonds of Kingston who has set her goal of running in the Reggae Marathon 10K this December. She’s stressed! She’s not a natural runner and has some concerns about making it. Karin, it’s still early and you’ve got the entire Reggae Marathon family behind you.  Keep the faith.

Reggae Marathon (RM): How is your training coming along?
Karin Wilson-Edmonds (KWE): Training is coming along very slowly. I’m pretty much getting to the Dam (Mona) about 2 or 3 times (more like 2) per week due to a combination of rainy afternoons, achy knees, and general laziness.  I’ve supplemented that with yoga.  I recently tried Zumba…that’s pretty cool…so I’ll probably continue that.

RM: Have you had any setbacks?
KWE: Did a long run (well long for me) about a month ago (2 times around the dam) and my knee hurt for weeks after…not a good sign. Am thinking I may have to walk not run the 10k, but I’ll make it to the end somehow even if I have to crawl.

RM: Any other challenges?
KWE: Getting to the dam more often, rain, having to baby my knee injury…

RM: Have you had any ‘wins’?
KWE: Well, I did make it around the dam 2 x running… a big win for me.

RM: Are you running with a group?
KWE: Not really, sometimes run along with other folks at the dam or walk with friends, one of the brothers, but no structured routine with others.

RM: Did I hear that your husband is also going to do the 10K?
KWE: Still working on getting a commitment out of him to at least walk with me. He has to come down to Negril with me anyway so why not?