For a while I’ve been documenting my running journey on the site. Still something very new and somewhat alien to me, the challenge of learning to run and the determination of persisting with the form has been seminal for me in the past year, as it’s informed an attitude change in other areas of my life too. Last December, I celebrated my first ‘steps’ towards being a ‘runner’ by visiting Jamaica, the land of my heritage and running 10K in the Reggae Marathon. Easily my best race experience thus far, the only thing I did wrong was not write about it. This time I’m not making that mistake; I’m taking on 13.1 miles (the half-marathon) at Reggae Marathon 2012 this December and I’m keeping the Y&Y readers very much in the know as I run Jamaica! That’s right, I’m taking Y&Y’s running crew Cool Runnings international…

follow TAHIRAH on twitter

On December 1st, Jamaica’s annual race returns to the stunning Negril, bringing with it music, colour and fun. From carb-loading at the legendary Pasta Party the night before, to being serenaded by thumping sound-systems on the race path and running straight into the beautiful Caribbean sea post-race – it’s listed as one of the world’s top 10 races for the reason; the Reggae Marathon race experience is like no other.

I won’t hold much hopes out for being able to channel an inner Shelly Ann Fraser, however, the #TeamJamaica spirit that coursed through me during London’s 2012 is sure to be present as I run through Negril. Keep an eye on Yin & Yang for more posts as I prepare to run Jamaica. While I’m there I’ll also be capturing my island’s beautiful culture while reporting on some of the spots to check out on island with a not-quite-tourist review.

If you plan to be or are in Jamaica this December (or if you live the ballers’ life and can plan a last minute trip out there) I implore you to get a place in the race – with just under 70 days to go and the option to walk or run the 10K, half-marathon and full-marathon distance, there’s enough time to get race-ready! Limited race spaces are still available – go to the Reggae Marathon registration page for more details.