“The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art”

– Leonardo da Vinci

Week 15: Gotta love the unity of the Cayman Community

We are now in crunch time with our preparations for this year’s Intertrust Cayman Marathon. The big event is just over a week away and for most of you this week will be another taper week with a focus on remaining healthy until December 4th. However, this isn’t the case for me as I gear up for my 100 mile run around the island this Saturday. The run will kick off at 6:30am on Saturday from Camana Bay (outside Books & Books) as part of the Cayman Islands Diabetes Association 5k fun and the remaining 97 miles will take us through most of the island, including the Dyke roads and the Mastic Trail (weather permitting). Please feel free to join us at any point along the way. An extreme run a week before a race is exactly what you shouldn’t do as part of your race preparation. This is one of those cases where you should do as I say and not as I do. I can tell you now that my performance the following week in the Intertrust Cayman Marathon will definitely suffer from this endeavour. I just hope my body will forgive me in time to fulfil my ambitious plans....

With the preparations for our run almost done I am happy to state the organizing of our event has reinforced one of my favourite aspects of the living on this island, which is the unity of the Cayman community. In the past when I’ve had visitors come to the island and their numbers exceeded the beds I had available in my abode my generous friends have come through and graciously assisted with our shortage and this event was no different with Lisa from the Villas of the Galleon generously donating accommodations for Gerry and Lisa. When our original plans for a support van for our run fell through Danny O’Hara from Prestige Motors/Economy Car Rental stepped forward and donated a vehicle for the entirety of the run. Adam Cockerill and IT Outsource made it possible for our project to communicate through social media with our amazing website. As part of our fundraising efforts the extremely kind Paul Njoka donated a flight for a raffle and Shelly Cox and Morgan Malewicz have all donated time and effort to our cause as well as my loving girl friend Lauren who has done more than I could ever ask. The list of friends who have supported me throughout could easily fill this entire article. In fact my attempt to inspire the community may have fallen on deaf ears if not for the Caymanian Compass providing me this forum each Thursday in their health section.

My point in this is that there are numerous people on this beautiful island who choose not to participate directly in events like our 100 mile run or the Intertrust Cayman Marathon but instead work behind the scenes volunteering their time and resources to make them happen. Coach Jerry Harper is a perfect example of the gracious values found in Cayman. His efforts are well known and appreciated by those in the running community. He is a staple at almost all of the athletic events on the island and many of them would never happen without his time or commitment. On behalf of all the runners in Cayman I’d like to thank you Jerry for all of your hard work and efforts.

For those of you who, for one reason or another, are unable to participate in this year’s Intertrust Cayman Marathon you might want to consider following in Jerry’s footstep and take on a role as volunteer for the December 4th race working at the race package pick up or at a water station or as a course marshall directing runners. With the race numbers expected to grow beyond the 1,000 person mark for the first time in the race’s history I know the extra hands would be much appreciated. Speaking of hands I know they are also looking for massage therapists to volunteer at the massage tent. Contact Rhonda Kelly at Kelly’s Holdings This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you’d like to get in on what goes on behind the scenes.

Finally if you’re not able to commit to role as a race volunteer we’d love to have you come out on and fill a spot along the side lines of the course and cheer the runners onto the finish. I can tell you from experience there is nothing like a few encouraging words from a passerby to spur you on through the tough times and there are always tough times, so the more people cheering the easier it is to forget about them. You might want to bring a chair, sunscreen and some water and make a morning out of it. Admission is free.

That’s all for this week. Next week I’ll cover the last minute preparations and the all important pre race meal. Until next then Don’t Stop Running and if you happen to see me running on Saturday during my 100 miles be sure to honk or shout a word of encouragement, it will help me more than you know!

Until next week don’t stop running!

Each week A Crazy Idea will provide a suggested schedule of activity for those individuals who are looking to get a little bit crazy and dwell outside their comfort zone as they prepare for and complete their first Half Marathon (13.1 miles).

Before we go any further we would first like to advise everyone following our program to consult your physicians before starting the fitness routine. Your health is of the utmost importance and not to be neglected. Regular exercise can help control blood glucose levels and body weight. It can reduce the risk of heart disease as well as strengthen bones and muscles and even though moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, is safe for most people, health experts suggest that you talk to your doctor before you start any exercise program.

Here at A Crazy Idea we truly believe the importance of a balanced and healthy diet as well as regular exercise. Below we have created simple exercise regimes you can follow, either to get you up and active, or running schedules you can follow to get you fit in order to partake at any level in the Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon on December 4, 2011.

Our exercise schedules come in three forms: Beginner walker, Beginner runner and Novice runner and will be updated each week.

Week 15: November 24 to November 30, 2011