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The 2013 Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend is now open for registration. Registration details are available at the event website www.GAFFW.com or by contacting the Ministry of Tourism in Marsh Harbour.

 The weekend-long event will be held from March 22-24^th at the Treasure Cay Beach, Marina, & Golf Resort. The weekend starts off with a 1-mile open water swim on Friday, a Sprint & Olympic triathlon on Saturday followed by a kids’ 1-mile run, and a 5k/10k fun run/walk on Sunday.

 Planning for the second instance of the event has been taking place over the past year and the organizers look forward to having a larger, fun-filled, family oriented event.

 Last years event brought around 75 participants and dozens more volunteers and spectators. This year there has been keen interest both locally and abroad, with a large group from Freeport planning to compete as well as a good base of athletes out of Nassau. Abaconians are expected to provide strong competition yet again, as the inaugural event was successful and well-received throughout the archipelago.

 Last year local triathletes Simon Lowe and his father Greg Lowe were slated to compete head-to-head in the Olympic triathlon, but due to an injury Simon had to watch from the sidelines. This year they both plan on returning and Greg will defend his title against his son and the other competitors.

 The first two online registrations were both women, one from Freeport and the other from South Carolina. The event is geared towards both locals and visitors alike. Treasure Cay has one of the most scenic ocean swims available and it was ranked one of the top ten beaches in the world by Caribbean Travel & Life.

 The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Treasure Cay Resort & Marina, and Damianos/Sotheby’s International Realty have again joined as the main sponsors. All of the sponsors’ support of the event is immensely appreciated, along with all the hard work and support of the volunteers, friends and family.

 This year Bahamas Ferries has a trip running from Nassau to Abaco for the event, leaving Friday morning and returning Sunday afternoon. Those interested are asked to contact Bahamas Ferries directly to book their transportation.

Over the weekend, Sarah and I rented a sea kayak from Abaco Eco, located in Hope Town, Abaco. Our goal was to practice kayaking for the upcoming FKCC Swim Around Key West, and it was obviously necessary! It may have taken us a while to figure out who should go where, but once we got the hang of it, it was a great trip! We left from the canal in Hope Town near my brother’s place, and paddled up through the historic Hope Town Harbour, out of the entrance and down the west side of Elbow Cay to Tahiti Beach. Yes, it was a one way trip, mainly due to the current and wind. We estimated the trip to be about 5 miles and it took us about an hour and a half, but we were in no hurry.

Amanda and Justin at Abaco Eco were great and helped us to load up the kayak, and then picked us up on the south end of the island at Tahiti Beach. Everything but the engine was provided! My sore trapezoids at least have some practice before paddling and swimming around Key West on June 18th!

I have heard rumors of a 12 mile kayaking race in Abaco later in the year, further updates when available.

My first time trying out barefoot running, on the beach in Hope Town! Did about 35 mins and about 3 miles. Other than the slope of the beach it was great to do something different, especially in early February!

On Sunday, December 19th 2010, Nassau Quadrathletes hosted it’s first event. The 10k Warmup Race for Bahamas Half-Marathon was a part of the training program for myself and a few others on the way to the HM on January 16th 2011.

Runner Megan did a great job of organizing and promoting the event, and we ended up having 17 runners I believe. Sailor Ferdi stepped in as Race Committee and started and finished the racers.

The 10k route took us from Fort Montagu, over the new bridge to PI, down to the Ocean Club Estates security/entrance, back over the old bridge, back past Fort Montagu, past the RNSC, and back to finish at Fort Montagu. The Sunday morning start of 8am (delayed by an hour due to the boat parade and basketball game the night before!) held good running weather, not too cold or hot, a bit humid, but no rain. The course was relatively flat except for the two bridges, which will be included in the half-marathon (twice for full marathoners!).

Quadrathlete Simon (Conchman 2010) ended up winning the event in a time of 44 minutes and change I believe. I brought up the end with Runner Holly around 1:03. This put me at a 10:14 mile, and a 2:15 half marathon pace, which is about where I want to be (hell, I just want to finish).

The champagne came out (thanks to whoever brought it! good idea!) and a celebratory round was had. A few people went off to the Cricket Club for breakfast and drinks. Myself, I went home and stretched, iced, and coincidently passed out. I woke up a bit later to head to the Cricket Club for lunch and begin my 4th event.

A great first event for the Quadrathletes! If I had to add anything it would be a water stop volunteer and recorded results, but these things come with time (and sponsors!). We are looking forward to a 10k Swim/Kayak/Sail (either/or/relay?) in May 2011, details to come in January.

Here are some pictures from the event, thanks to Quadrathlete Diane!

November’s totals:
Bike: 2h 34m
Run: 7h 02m
Swim: 1h 54m
P90X: 3h 56m

A bit short due to my Achilles’ tendons acting up 🙁

Bike – 3h 20m
Run – 3h 43m
Swim – 6h 26m
P90X – 3h

T-25 lbs and counting! BMI = 22.2, Body Fat (online calculators) seems to be around 14%!

www.BeginnerTriathlete.com : islandflyer