Running on Island Time

After having spent the past several weeks buried in snow, the thought of heading to the Caribbean for a week was enough to make me smile. Getting on the ship, the ms Eurodam, I was nearly beside myself with anticipation.

Let me set something straight from the beginning. I was not a big fan of cruises. The operative word is “was”. I was not a fan. I couldn’t imagine spending a week on a boat. Keep in mind that the only real “cruising” experience I had in the past was the grueling – but wildly satisfying – trip from Ushuaia to the Antarctic peninsula. Turns out that the major cruise ships are MUCH more stable, the food is better, and the trip more relaxing.

This year the Caribbean Island Marathon Cruise left from Fort Lauderdale and sailed to Grand Turk Island, San Juan Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and the cruise ship island of Half Moon Cay. We ran on every island, experienced the culture of each island, and covered a total of 26.2 miles. It was fantastic. The truth is that the only way to have the experience of cruising to the islands is to – well – cruise to the islands. There’s something exotic and romantic – and maybe a little bit unnerving – about not being able to see land in any direction. In between islands we are out to sea. Pure and simple.

At the end of the week, though, what began as a small group of individuals from all over the US turned in to a single group of runners and walkers who had bonded over their shared experience. It was a very special week.

This summer we’ll head to Alaska for the Great Alaskan Marathon Cruise where we’ll discover the Last Frontier. If you’ve never tried a cruise because you thought, as I did, that you wouldn’t enjoy it, I invite you to join us. I’m sure you’ll change your mind.

John “the Penguin” Bingham, Competitor Magazine columnist Author, The Courage to Start, No Need for Speed, Marathoning for Mortals and Running for Mortals.

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