Running in Turks and Caicos

My family was on vacation in Turks and Caicos last week. While packing, I decided to commit to running at least once while I was there. Running shoes take up valuable suitcase space, so I wore them on our travel days. My travel look was definitely a "Glamour Magazine Don't" but when you are traveling with carry-on luggage only, you have to make some sacrifices!

The Beaches Resort where we were staying has group runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 am. I planned to join the Wednesday group run. I had my usual group run fear that I wouldn't be fast enough to keep up. I also didn't have my trusted Nathan water belt with me so there was no water or pocket for "stuff".

Ready to Run!

We met at the pier by the dive shop and there were four other runners in addition to the Beaches fitness director Leonardo. Three were clearly "fast" runners that I was going to have trouble keeping up with. The fourth, Sylvie, was from Montreal. She had a belt for stuff and a bottle of water - I recognized her immediately as one of my "type" of running buddies. Slower, but determined and prepared. Sylvie told us she had just started exercising a few weeks ago and was looking to lose 30 pounds.  

The dive shop pier

Leonardo indicated we would run a slow mile first so we could all learn the course, and then folks could do as many miles as they wanted at whatever pace they preferred. That first mile was an 11:00-minute/mile pace. Much slower than the last group run pace that I experienced (they were pushing 9:30 and I ultimately lost them); but still faster than I could comfortably run.

Leonardo and the "fast" runners

I kept as close as I could so I could learn the loop, and parted ways with them after the first mile. I also lost Sylvie fairly early as she wisely chose to do run/walk intervals at her own pace. I ran another mile on my own, closer to a 12:00-minute/mile pace. After that second mile, the humidity and lack of water were taking their toll on me so I decided I had accomplished my mission of running on vacation and mentally checked that box.

As I was heading for my room, I saw Sylvie and sprinted over to her with my last burst of energy. We congratulated each other on our runs and commitment to exercising. I know Sylvie will stick with it and lose those 30 pounds!

Sylvie and me, post-run! 

on the pier with Freddy & Rick later that day