ReggaeMarathon Blog

The Reggae Marathon Pasta Party, popularly dubbed “The World’s Best Pasta Party” lived up to its reputation this year yet again.

I had a chat with Misja Ruijs, the chef who organizes the Pasta Party.  Misja, who hails from Holland but has lived in Jamaica for the past 9 years, is a chef at the Couples Negril Resort.  Besides being a chef, he is an avid runner, and has participated in two full Reggae Marathons, and two Half marathons.  This year, Misja is too busy organizing the pasta party to run.  Planning for the party begins in July, when Misja crafts the menu and circulates it to the Negril area hotels.  A Jamaican company, Jamaica Macaroni Products, provides the pasta, and the hotels do the rest. 

This year, six hotels participated:

Couples Negril

Riu Club

Sandals Negril

Beaches Negril

Beaches Sandy Bay

Sunset at the Palms

As usual, the fare was freshly prepared – fresh vegetables, seafood, chicken and meat lovingly and expertly tossed with the pasta on the open flame by chefs who were smiling and dancing to the rich reggae rhythms booming in the background.  The Reggae Marathon Pasta Party, like the entire Reggae Marathon, is a labour of love.   No wonder the food tastes so good!

11 days to go!

Only 11 days to go to Reggae Marathon!

Now, the training is almost over.  You have run your final long run and are in tapering mode.  You are looking forward to the big day!  Now is a good time to:

Remember why you are running – is it for a charity?  In memory or honor of someone?  To celebrate a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary?  To meet a PR (Personal Record) goal?  Whatever it is, now is the time to recommit to your goal

Visualize your race – visualization is a powerful way of creating an experience before it happens.  This sets the stage for the event to unfold just as you wish it to.  Sit quietly and imagine your race from the start to the finish.  See yourself triumphant at the finish line!  Feel and savor the emotion!  Enjoy the celebration!

Prepare your packing checklist – with one weekend to go for last minute shopping, now is a good time to make sure that you have all the marathon essentials – check this website for a great packing list:

http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_plist.html

Two months before my first marathon, the 3 year old daughter of a childhood friend was diagnosed with leukemia.  This was every parent’s worst nightmare, for which one is never prepared mentally, emotionally, physically or financially.  As a mother and a friend, I felt that I had to do something, no matter how small, to give this little girl and her family a fighting chance.  I decided to dedicate my marathon to her, and to use it to raise funds for her medical treatment.

I raised over US$2,500.00 for little Leah’s treatment.  Today, she is cancer-free.  And the joy of helping, while achieving my long-held goal, lives bright within me.  I remember that somewhere between miles 21 and 23, I was having a conversation with myself about stopping – “Why am I doing this”?  I asked myself.  The answer was simple:  “For Leah”.  And so I finished the marathon, collected my medal, the money for Leah’s treatment, but most importantly, the joy of giving to someone in need.

As you enter the final month of your preparation for the marathon, half-marathon or 10k, are you clear on WHY you are doing this?  Even now, it is not too late to dedicate your race to someone in need, be it a personal friend, your favourite charity, or the three Reggae Marathon charity partners – the Heart Foundation of Jamaica, Joints in Motion or the  African Caribbean Leukemia Trust.  Read more about them at www.reggaemarathon.com .  More importantly, make the decision to make your race the race that keeps on giving!

One of the highlights of the Reggae Marathon Launch last Thursday was the endorsement by Roy Thomas.  Roy is an 82 year old veteran road racer, a fixture at all road races in Jamaica.   He is much loved and an inspiration to runners and aspiring runners of all ages.  At the launch, he gave an endorsement that won the hearts of everyone as he described how great it is to participate in the event (all 7 Reggae Marathons so far – yes, the full marathon) and how he feels when he is at mile 25, wondering if he is crazy to be doing this!  He also noted that he endorses the event, not to “starve the doctors” but also to leave the hospital beds for those who really need them!

To learn more about Roy, and his approach to running and life, check out this article, which was published almost 10 years ago, but which still captures the “essence of Roy”

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20010331/life/life1.html

Thursday was the official launch of the 2008 Reggae Marathon.  Check out the press reports at:

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sports/html/20081024T010000-0500_141689_OBS___K_ADDED_TO_DECEMBER___REGGAE_MARATHON_LINE_UP.asp

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081024/sports/sports6.html

What does this mean?

1. To those who are on a 12 week training program, it means that you are halfway there!
2. To those who are racing, it means time to order that second pair of running shoes, to break them in for the race
3. To those who are still thinking about it, but have not yet committed, you have 6 weeks!  Don’t delay, go to http://www.reggaemarathon.com/register.php and register today!
4. To supporters of runners, it means time to step up the support of your loved ones in their training program
5. To members of the Jamdammers Running Club, the hosts, it means deciding what you will be volunteering to do this year
6. To the Planning Committee, it means “countdown” has started
7. To the hotels in  Negril, it means time to make sure the Pasta Party is planned and organized, and rooms are ready
8. To the Negril community, it means getting ready – cleaning up the route, organizing special events
9. To the businesspeople in Negril it means ordering or making adequate stock of goods for sale
10. To all, it means time to arrange transportation – be it flights from outside Jamaica or car or bus from other parts of Jamaica; time to make hotel bookings or other arrangements for lodging; time to make babysitting and other arrangements for the weekend (unless you are bringing children, which is always an option)

Whoever you are, whatever role you plan to play in the Reggae Marathon, Half-Marathon and/or 10k on December 6, you have 6 weeks left!

Here are some rave reviews from participants in the Reggae Marathon that speak to the organization of the event:

By the way, your race is the best organized of all the marathons I have run, so far, including New York and Chicago.  Keep it up “Mon.”

 - Emmanuel A. Enujioke, Ph.D.

Congrats are in order! You and your staff did a wonderful job of organizing the Reggae Marathon & Half-Marathon – it was a fantastic event!  From the pasta party, to the drums at the start, to the reggae music along the course, this race was one of my most memorable yet! (And having completed both the ING New York City Marathon and the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, believe me, that’s no small statement).  The race was well-organized, festive, and unique, and could be appreciated by Jamaicans and tourists alike.  What a great way to close out the year!

-  Tiffany A.C. Hamilton

I thoroughly enjoyed this marathon. I have run over 15 marathons in several different states in the USA including Maui Marathon, Las Vegas, Marine Corps, Miami, Tampa, Disney and several others.  This is truly the best because the amenities, friendly atmosphere and definitely the most awesome pasta party.  I plan on making this an annual event.  It is truly the best kept marathon secret.
- Dianne Worrell

My 2nd RM and I had a great time, many thanks to your attention to detail and hard work.  The experience was wonderful, hope I’ll be around for more.

- Chrystal

What to say, great race, very well organized, lots of support from the aid stations and the spectators, music everywhere, scenic route. Certainly there were things or times that were sketchy or tense, I have a great memory and can’t think of a single one of them

- Joe

Want to say that this is my second year running the marathon and again, I can not compliment you enough on how well organized it is

- Marian Burton

So what makes the organization of this event so special? A few things:

1. The race was conceptualized and is hosted by the Jamdammers Running Club, a group of committed distance runners in Jamaica.  Why do we do it?  Simply – because of our love and passion for running – and for Jamaica.  Few Jamdammers ever run the marathon - we are all busy, and lovingly, working
2. The volunteers – a small group of volunteers works tirelessly year-round to make the run a success.  However there are other volunteers just prior to and on the day who really make the experience super-special.  These include, but are not limited to:
   1. The Scouts – Scouts pack the runners bags, man the water stops, and are generally available for any task required to make the runners have a great experience.  They come from all across the island, and demonstrate the vitality and commitment of our young Jamaicans
   2. Members of the Negril and adjoining communities who volunteer for water stops, volunteeer support, the RM start and numerous other activities
   3. The Negril hotels – who host the pasta party, provide accommodation for the volunteers and ensure that they are on-hand to cheer on runners throughout the race
   4. The medical community – one thing you are not short of in the Reggae Marathon is medical support.  Indeed, there is so much of it that you are likely to have one of our top surgeons and two or three other doctors handing you hydrating fluid at water stops!
   5. The government – the security forces, the Ministry of Health, the Jamaica Tourist Board and others all give their time, energy and resources
   6. Musicians – live bands, and DJ taxis at the water stops provide invigorating, motivating music for those grueling miles

 These are just some of the volunteers who will be present on December 6 to make sure you have the most amazing marathon, half-marathon or 10-k experience EVER!

You finally cross the Reggae Marathon finish line!  Your well-earned medal is placed around your neck by a smiling Reggae Marathon volunteer!  Your chip is gently removed from your shoe by another volunteer.  Then you head down the chute to the next stop – fruit and fresh coconut water – so fresh you have to wait while the coconut man chops it open with a machete.  You raise the whole coconut to your head, and the most delicious nectar flows into your mouth!  You immediately start to feel your vigour, vim and vitality return!

Did you know that coconut water has numerous health benefits?  It is a popular drink for Jamaicans, now available in bottles, but we prefer it the natural way – fresh from the nut.  Here are some of the benefits for runners:

• Keeps the body cool
• Orally rehydrates your body – it’s a natural isotonic beverage
• Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells
• Naturally replenishes your body’s fluids after exercising

“It’s a natural isotonic beverage, with the same level of electrolytic balance as we have in our blood. It’s the fluid of life, so to speak.” In fact, during the Pacific War of 1941-45, both sides in the conflict regularly used coconut water - siphoned directly from the nut - to give emergency plasma transfusions to wounded soldiers.

“Coconut water is the very stuff of Nature, biologically pure, full of natural sugars, salts, and vitamins to ward off fatigue… and is the next wave of energy drinks BUT natural!”, according to Mortin Satin, Chief of the United Nation’s Food & Agriculture Organization.

Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks. 

Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg!

Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars. 

Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg. 

Data is based on a 100ml drink.

Make SURE to have your fresh coconut water at the end of your Reggae Marathon race!

I love the design of the Reggae Marathon medal!  It is such a happy medal, with the smiling dreadlocks runner carrying the Jamaican flag!  The Jamaican flag says everything about what the race stands for, as its meaning is:

“Hardships there are but the land is green and the sun shineth’. The black triangles represent the adversity Jamaica has overcome and for hardships it may have in the future. The green triangles represent hope and agriculture and the golden saltire (diagonal cross) stands for the mineral wealth of Jamaica and sunlight”

Doesn’t this sound just like the Reggae Marathon?

• Black -  the hardships of your training program and of the race itself
• Green – the hope of the finish line, and of future events
• Yellow – the sunshine of achievement and the joy of celebration

Just picture yourself with this beautiful medal around your neck sometime on the morning of December 6!

“The organizers of Reggae Marathon have now added a 10K race to the Marathon and Half Marathon competition which will be introduced at the 8^th staging of the world famous long distance event scheduled for Negril on December 6, 2008.

For the Reggae Marathon 10K,the start time for all simultaneously run races is 5:15 a.m. and all race routes follow the same course. Runners and walkers who are participating in the Reggae Marathon 10K, however, should note that their “turn around” point is at the six mile mark after they have passed the Long Bay Beach Park.  

Like the marathon and half marathon, all participants in the 10K will receive a medal, while winners and top finishers will be eligible for trophies and other prizes. Participants will also receive free entry to all Marathon events such as the world renowned Pasta Party as well as the Victory Party. Chip timing for results will also apply to all entrants”

This announcement last week from the organizers of the Reggae Marathon means that the event is now open to a larger group of people.  If you are a consistent recreational runner or walker, or a marathoner who like me has “fallen off the wagon” in terms of running, the 10-k is a great opportunity to reinvigorate your road racing! 

If you have never completed a road race, the 10-k is the perfect event for you!  In true Reggae Marathon style, you will be loved and cared for with the most exciting race start, water and Gatorade at every mile, committed volunteers and a fantastic medal at the finish!

With just under 2 months to go, you still have time to commit to this new Reggae Marathon event!  

It is now a common marathon experience to hear the “beep beep beep” of sports watches chiming at regular intervals of between 1 to 7 or 8 minutes.  Should you be caught immediately behind one of the runners wearing such a watch, you may be quite surprised to see them suddenly stop running and start walking.  Wait – isn’t a marathon about RUNNING?  Then why are so many people walking?

The run/walk program was developed by American marathon Olympian Jeff Galloway.  Jeff was concerned at the level and frequency of injuries in his first 20 years of distance running, and started to say to himself “There must be a better way”.  That better was has turned out to be the run/walk program, which has become increasingly popular as a way to complete a marathon injury-free, speed post-race recovery and even improve finishing times!  The basic idea of the run/walk approach is that you give yourself time to recover DURING the run by taking walk breaks at regular intervals before your body needs it.  Thus, your body never fully breaks down, and is less prone to overuse injury.

Now, some seasoned marathoners may find the idea of walking during a marathon quite infra dig.  I suggest that you check out www.jeffgalloway.com .  You will find information and resources on the program and numerous testimonials from those who have switched to run/walk and have improved their times!  Whether your goal is to finish your first marathon or half-marathon, or to improve your race time, the run/walk program may be THE program that allows you to accomplish it and be able to dance the night away at the Victory Party!