Barbados 5km (Cruise to Run)

Feb. 3, 2009

Bridgetown, Barbados

www.cruisetorun.com

Before I get into the actual race report, let’s give a little background on 72 hours prior. I was in Pickering, where there was so much snow I was actually snoeshoe running! It was also so incredibly cold that I had to completely cover my face to block out the extreme wind chill.

So, fast forward 72 hours and, after a day at sea, we dock in Bridgetown, Barbados. Of course our run group of 310 or so are the first off the ship as the runs need to be done before it’s too hot. Yeah, right!! It’s 8:30am and already 28 Celsius. Let’s not forget our group just spent a day at sea which was an adventure in itself as we all tried to get in a treadmill run. Let’s just say that the waves were quite noticeable. It was hard to stay on the treadmill and I soon figured out it was far better increasing the speed as the inertia seemed to better keep me on the treadmill.

So again, we step off the ship and the heat slaps you in the face with a nice force. You are immediatey sweating, which is fine because the option back home is far worse. As our group goes out for a light warm up, we soon realize that this will be a tough 5km race as we’re not acclimatized but what the heck, it’s what we signed up for.

As we line up to start, a group of local students line up to join us which is pretty cool. The gun goes off and off we all go. By the half kilometre mark I soon realize that if I want to survive this heat I better ease back my pace, so I do. By the halfway point I have found a decent though tough pace and realize that I will survive.

I finished in 18:25 (though my Garmin did not quite show 5km, as I think the course was a bit short). My overall placing was 14th and 2nd in my age group. I was pleased, both for my result as much as for surviving.

Well, I guess that’s one way to acclimatize!

The 2nd half of the day was what we were all looking forward to. After a quick shower and some lunch, our group went to the beach where we enjoyed sun, sand and some beverages. Ah…the main reason why most of us run.

I highly recommend a running cruise as it was a great way to enjoy sightseeing while staying relatively fit.

Remember, “Rubber side down and melon up”.

 Mike Bosch, Team Running Free Athlete