Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
Lonsdale Ergus a member of the Gleaner Sponsored team for this year's Reggae Marathon is ready for the marathon to be held in Westmoreland from December 2-4, 2005. - IAN ALLEN/ STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
WITH ONLY a few weeks to go, the Gleaner-sponsored marathon runners are ready for Reggae Marathon.
Since they began training, our four runners have been keeping a journal of the road to becoming marathon runners. They are almost at the end of what may have seemed a long road but the time is nigh. See how they have done.
Lonsdale Ergus:
September 24
I had a great day of training, routine which began at 5:30 a.m. I did over 20 laps around the track at Emancipation Park. I felt some pain in my left leg, however I ignored it.
September 25
Participated in the Puma 5k Race. It was a terrific experience for me because this was my first taste of competition and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
September 29
I trained with Mrs. Tanya Powell-Edwards a fellow Gleaner Challenge Winner. We trained along the route of the Jamaica Cancer Society. Training began at 6:00 p.m and ended at 8:10 p.m.. Had a good session, felt a little pain in my left leg.
October 30
Participated in the Jamaica Cancer Society Race. Along with fellow teammate Tanya Powell-Edwards. I did a time of 48.60.
Tanya Powell-Edwards.
SEPTEMBER 5
Training started today. At 8:30 p.m. my classmate Joy and I walked for about 30 minutes at Emancipation Park. It was easier for me because of Joy's company. After my second lap, I started feeling some pressure in my legs and my mouth became dry but we kept walking.
DIET AND EXERCISE
When I was accepted the Reggae Marathon challenge I had not dieted for a long time. I had started my degree and I snacked a lot in class. In two years I gained 10 pounds. The weight came without me realising it. When I did realise, I was miserable as I couldn't fit into those slightly sexy clothes that I loved.
Since September I have been largely consistent with my diet and exercise. My frequent sugar snacks were replaced with servings of sardines or vegetables with apples, or raisins.
I was advised to and did cut off refined sugars and some starches. I cut bread, biscuits, soda, rice, dumplings and focused more on chicken, fish, vegetables and plenty of water and Gatorade.
Lonsdale Ergus and I teamed up at least three Saturday mornings and walk six miles. I was now feeling lighter as I began losing weight. My clothes were fitting much better and I was feeling even more energetic. Extra motivation came from the fact that Gina Harris, Diane Ellis and physiotherapist Michelle dePass were available if I needed any advice or extra motivation.
On September 25, I participated in the Puma 5K followed by race two on Sunday October 9 at Whitehorses, St. Thomas. I walked the Denise Thwaites 5K organised by Jamaica Reach to recovery and the Ministry of Health 5K on Sunday, November 13.
SEPTEMBER 25
At minutes to seven I headed out to participate in the Puma 5K. It was a bit daunting but I found two other winners of the Reggae Marathon competition and we headed out. We stuck together encouraging each other. They held my hands in support as I was again feeling the logs in my legs. It wasn't that they weren't feeling the same but they had the advantage of less weight. They stuck with me until we neared Vale Royal and I encouraged Lonsdale to leave me as I was holding him back. The ambulance was moving slowly behind and as the gap between Lonsdale and I widened it was obvious that I was the last of the pack but I was determined to finish the walk. I was able to step over the finish line at approximately 59:43. I did it 5K in under an hour.
I was a winner. I moved my 260 pounds from the couch and an overly busy schedule to the finish line. THANK YOU JESUS. I went home knowing that I had neglected my weight for too long and that it would take time to achieve my desired weight, for now the goal is to walk 13. 1 miles in December.
