You will not be Forgotten

You touched so many hearts for so many years, I can't believe you are gone.
The BEST entertainer EVER!!
Rest in Peace, Michael.

Running: It a Family Affair

The month of May was incredible, Tanya and I where home in Bermuda for a fun filled time with family, friends, and of course running. Take a look at that picture above, that crystal blue water and pink beach's are what you wake up to everyday in Bermuda. Doesn't it make you want to jump in? May is a fun filled month with walking and running events just about every weekend which leads up to one of the islands biggest Holidays/Event "The Bermuda Days Half Marathon".

The first event we participated in was the Catlin End-to-End walk. The event starts in the Historic town of St. George's and travels by road and railway trails to the Royal Dockyard which is at the other end of the Island. It is approximately 24 miles, just under a marathon. For those individuals who my not be able to complete the entire island, the event has an option of middle-to-end were participants will begin at the half way point in the City of Hamilton. Tanya and I of course wanted to run. When we found out there was going to be a number of others also running... Well the rest is history. It was a big family affair Tanya's sister's Sherry, Zina, and Paula did the middle to end walk. So did Brother-in-laws Bails and Danny, Uncle Kingsley, cousins Llyod, Wanda, and Chelito. Riding the course was niece Mahtorie, cousin Tracy, Bird and friend Rochelle.
Next Tanya and I ran in the "Sir Stanley Burgess 5K" ( pictured above). Mr. Burgess is a Bermuda running Legend, winning the Bermuda Days race and incredible 10x's in his 60 year running career. (hit that link above to read about him). The 5K race had a very competitive crowd, with many of the Marathon Day front runners participating. 5K's are not the distance we usually participate in, so I knew it was going to be fast and heart pumping. The morning was warm and a little humid but Tanya and I both had good runs. Tanya ran a 23:02 and I ran a 23:14. I believe that was a PR for me at that distance. Yes it was heart pumping.

May 24th Bermuda Day (celebrated on the 25th this year) came and what a big event for the island. This was a special year commemorating 400 years since Bermuda was discovered and the 100th year of running the Bermuda Days Run. Record numbers signed up for the run, no body wanted to miss the 100th year, and also record numbers camped along the course to cheer the runners on. As I have said before, I have run many races over the years some very big and some very small, but none have matched the crowd participation and love that the people of Bermuda give on that day. From start to finish people are lining the course yelling and screaming helping and encouraging you. When the race is over the day has just really begun, then comes the parade of parades. Along the final miles of the running course the parade follows and people picnic along the route until sundown.

The Race starts in Somerset and travels East along middle road to Hamilton, and again it was a family affair. I didn't have pictures of everyone but below are some.

Uncle Kingsley at 72 years young, making it look easy.

Cousin Sabrina keeping as cool as possible with her sponge in hand. That's what you have to do on those hots days.

Sister Sherry looking pretty in pink, and representing the Baily crew, BIG UPS! YEA!!!

Hey Rochie Girl, looking good and cruising to another Bermuda Day finish.

That's my hero, Tanya. Always making it look easy. I love the skirt!

That's me, sweating like a hog. Can somebody say HUMIDITY!!

The Young Buck Coolie, he is running so cool I don't even think he is sweating.

Not pictured from the family was Patrice and Tracy who also braved the sun and hot and humid temperatures to run. I know they would all agree what a wonderful day we had running and experienceing the best of what Bermuda has to offer. Much love to everyone, and keep those feet moving.

Bermuda Day Parade

A taste of the Bermuda Day Parade. I videoed these in 2008 but they give you a taste of the colors and the beauty of the people and the island.




Gombeys performing



St George Dancers

Fontana Days Run

Tanya and I are back safe and well tanned from our trip to Bermuda. I will post more later about our trip and our running adventures there but I wanted to first share our experience Saturday running the Fontana Days 1/2 Marathon. It is dubbed "The World's Fastest Half Marathon Course. This was our 3rd time running the race, but it has been a few years. It is a local race, and always fun; but had been on the same weekend as the San Diego R&R marathon. I think that is why we hadn't run it in a while. The course in 13.1 miles downhill, so I assume that is why it is "The Worlds Fastest". The morning of the race you have to board school buses and they drive you to the start. Then it is almost a straight line back to the finish at City Hall.
Our goal was as usual to have fun, but it would be great it we could break that 1 hour 40 min barrier. They drove us up into the hills above the town and dropped us off at a camp ground. The buses leave early, so after being dropped off we had over an hour before the start to wander around and try to stay warm. It was a cool and overcast morning; perfect for running fast!
The race started a few minutes late, but that was alright. Tanya and I started off together and our goal was to run the first mile conservatively at about an 8:30 pace. Because of the downhill it is easy to get sucked into a much faster pace, which happened to many of the runners. From the start I knew today was going to be a good day, we both looked and felt strong and had a steady even stride. After that first mile we gradually picked up the pace, I stopped glancing at my Gamin, I didn't want to scare myself into slowing down. We were knocking the miles off, just past mile 7 I began to fall off Tanya's pace a bit. She was looking and feeling good. I tried to hang on but couldn't. Though I couldn't hold her pace I felt if I did some fartleks I would be able to maintain a good pace and also get a bit of muscle recovery while doing so. It worked.
Tanya ended up finishing in 1:37:51 at a 7:29 pace (PR) and I finished in 1:39:12 at a 7:35 pace (PR).
The race lived up to it's name; at least for us and we finally broke 1:40:00.
MJ