When you’ve chosen to spend your days living a laid-back existence on an idyllic island, or you’ve traveled from afar to enjoy the fruits of your concrete-bound labor on a pretty little island lined with lush green palms, it can prove challenging to prioritize fitness. Read on for a few insights that could assist you in starting and keeping to a running or fitness schedule while faced with the daily challenges and temptations of living on a beach.
Get an Early Start
We’re all familiar with the adage ‘healthy body, healthy mind’ but for many of us, it’s not always obvious where to begin. Simply start, and in the case of living in Cayman, start as early as possible. Due to the high temperatures and humidity that accompany living in the Caribbean, a small price to pay to spend your days in paradise, an early start is crucial to the enjoyment of your run. Though the evenings cool down significantly, enough so for a run, it is advisable to wait until after dark for the mozzie-vampire hordes to disperse. Keep safely to well-lit areas, and always maintain a safe distance from the public roads.
Think Long-Term
Take a few minutes to stretch and warm-up. The negative effects of overexertion may take weeks to appear. Starting slow and taking off-days is the simplest way to avoid injury. Rule of thumb: Increase your total weekly distance by 10 percent or less. Setting gradual milestones based on your own performance is an easy way to track your progress. You’ll know when it’s time to start showing off.
Investigate Nearby Cliques & Join a Running Club
Acquaintances, peers, bae’s and beaus. All types of runners can benefit from a running club, despite age, gender or fitness level. If you’re traveling, meeting locals in local running groups or clubs could significantly affect the quality of your stay - allowing you to gain some local insight, tips, and tricks. If you’re an expat, engaging local networks and participating in organized events will help you plant roots and develop connections you might otherwise have missed out on.
Variety is the (Jerk) Spice of Life
Inspire in yourself an ongoing interest and appetite for discovering alternative routes in your area. Cayman is small but large enough to create multiple enjoyable running routes to keep boredom at bay.
Many of us take great pleasure in finding quiet havens. There are wonderful routes all over the island that meander past idyllic secluded beaches and lush hidden pathways. Residential areas offer tranquil, quiet circuits while the way to Camana Bay is lined with bustling bars, restaurants, and illuminated palm trees. Exploring the local yacht clubs offer yet another scenic option.
Test the Terrain
Taking advantage of different terrains can be an excellent way to mix up your route. Each having its pros and cons. Sand offers a marked increase in difficulty - and we have a lot of it. Seven Mile Beach, though not actually seven miles, is breathtakingly beautiful and challenging run not to be underestimated. Jogging on the sidewalk, on the other hand, may provide ledges and other obstacles that can be utilized for lunges split squats and high-steps.
Introducing some simple bodyweight training can effectively boost your workout and maximize your time; allowing you to keep your heart rate elevated while giving your leg muscles time to recover.
Discovering Your Own Style
Embracing your faults and highlighting your strengths. Design a structured program that suits your needs, takes advantage of your surroundings and one that you would actually find motivating. If opting to join one of the many fine gyms in Grand Cayman, consider pre-paying for a set period. In this way, you commit yourself to a regular class. Alternatively, enjoy a less rigid campaign that offers once-off benefits and no set times. A mantra can often be the perfect anchor on which to clutch when searching for that silver lining and inner strength. Make a purposeful decision and let that single goal be your focus for the session. Is it the sheer pleasure and exhilaration of a run that drives you or the soothing smell of the ocean before starting your day? Are you attempting to discipline your mind or improve your overall health and wellness
Gear-up and Prepare
Creativity thrives when our tools match the task. Lightweight athletic shoes will provide protection when running along your idyllic island coastlines. Clothing that breathes and makes you feel comfortable is essential.
Keep sunscreen and UV protective gear in your gym bag. Though sunrise and sunset can be an exquisite playground in which to get fit – sometimes a burst of energy hits midday and you want to seize the moment; this is when being organized will make all the difference and help you capitalize on your drive.
“The people who give you their food give you their heart”, and that’s especially true at the restaurants on Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman. Having visited the island with my family on eight different occasions during the last decade or so, I can honestly that I have been blessed with some outstanding meals at various eateries at this great location. The restaurants here are filled with passion, love and high-quality food. After a day resting in the Cayman sun, there is no better way to prepare for another day’s relaxation than to indulge oneself in a heart-warming meal on Seven Mile Beach. Here are some of my favourite restaurants on Seven Mile Beach, starting with a touch of Italy.