Big, long thing (marathon or longer) number 48 of the year, at the Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica, my 5th country this year (repeats in Germany and the US naturally). Hot, humid, and rather monotonous, a double loop of most of the 7 mile beach. Having passed almost all the properties in central Negril 4x I see where I should have chosen to stay instead of my hotel way off the beaten path. Pleasantly surprised my rental car wasn’t stolen or damaged parked in an open parking lot. By mile 17 I met Val, a new friend from South Africa, and we chatted away the miles. Fun fact: In Jamaican culture it is appropriate to wait until invited before using a new acquaintance’s first name. I like that.
