A Bolt to Jamaica Doesn’t Amount to Run in with Usain Bolt

While July brings the heat in Jamaica, I couldn’t think of a better place than Round Hill to incorporate some hill training into my regime just weeks before Epic Relay.  Round Hill, made popular by Ian Fleming who penned many of his James Bond classics, balances its national pride today between Bob Marley, the Jamaican Bobsled Team and Usain Bolt.

Given the better part of our time was spent in this art deco, 50s style resort, my daily runs showed no signs of Mr. Bolt himself.  Nevertheless, I was treated to a simple, but hilly jogging trail that traversed some on-property organic gardens, banana tree shaded paths and some wonderfully steep ackee-laden treks in 90-plus degree temperatures.  While my Nike watch shows virtually no elevation, I was able to add some nice 150 foot+ ascensions.  Of course, that’s kid’s stuff come next month in Jackson Hole for the Epic Relay that’s run somewhere at 6,000+ feet with climbs totaling 500-600 ft across six-mile legs.  How I wish I could ride in a bobsled or on the back of Usain himself.  Be it running one of the local 5K races or simply out for rum runners at Round Hill, I highly recommend a little change in scenery during intense periods of training.  Yah man!