December 8, 2024
Half Marathon, 10K & 5K Races

Summer’s here and the running is good!

Who doesn’t love running in the summer?

  • From Runner’s World, a nice series of articles with suggestions and tips on how to deal effectively with the heat of summer:   Runner’s World Hot Weather Running.
  • “Mad dogs and Englishmen…in the noon day sun”.  I seem to remember some sage advice from my Grandma about not running around at high noon.  Maybe that’s why I like early morning running.  But it can be enjoyable and safe by taking some precautions:  Active Running:  Noon Day Heat.
  • From ‘That’s Fit’, a number of mistakes to avoid when running in warmer temperatures.  Guess how many of these mistakes I’ve made?:  Fit Running:  Summer Running Mistakes

Negril in December for Reggae Marathon is the coolest time of year in Jamaica.  For those of you ‘coming in from the cold’ of North America or Europe, it requires an adjustment though.  Here are some tips to ensure a successful and safe Reggae Marathon:

  • Try to get to Negril a few days before race day on Saturday.  Use those days to get in some running.  Nothing hard or intense of course just some easy running to get used to the sun and the temperature.
  • Yes it’s a vacation but go easy on the alcohol before Race Day.  Hydration is key when running in warmer temperatures but the ‘fluid’ in Red Stripe or Margarita mix is better left for after you finish.
  • Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  Coconut water is good, water even better.  During Reggae Marathon every mile is an aid station.  You’ll have your choice of hydration fluid or plain cold water in very easy-to-use plastic pouches (why doesn’t every race do this?)
  • Wear a hat.  Not so important right at the 5:15 am start but once the sun some up it is important to keep your head covered.  By-the-way, special tip:  use a pouch of cold water to squeeze over your head and neck.  Feels marvelous.
  • Wear as little clothing as you are comfortable with.  Stay with the hi-tech micro-wicking fabrics.

So get out and get running!

Until next time…

Reggae Marathon RunninGuy (aka Sugar ‘Tuff Gong’ Bong)

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Click here to register online for Reggae Marathon, December 7, 2013:  Reggae Marathon Registration.

For more information check the Reggae Marathon Web Site.

Click here for more details on Reggae Marathon’s Abe Issa Award for Excellence.

This is a link to the Official Reggae Marathon 2012 Race Video.

Photo courtesy of Lance Brown.

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