Running in Punta Cana

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DLS
Bruce Kidd
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Running in Punta Cana

Postby DLS » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:06 am

Given that Ian and I are each unable to keep a thought in our heads right now, our families are sending us to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for a week starting tomorrow, at the Blau Natura Eco-Resort. Any suggestions about running there?

Thanks,

Deanna
Deanna

Running in memory of Porter.
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purdy65
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby purdy65 » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:17 am

Deanna,

I can't answer your questions, but it's such a nice gesture on the part of your family to help you get away! No doubt the dreary January weather does not help things at all!

Having said that - should you find some nice routes, let me know, because I'll be in Punta Cana in April! (Bahai Principe)

Enjoy your trip.

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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby chunkymonkeymelonhed » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:24 am

Deanna,

No advice on the running as I've never been to Punta Cana.
Just wanted to say that it's great to see a post from you and I think it's wonderful that your familes are giving you this gift.
I hope that the week away is a time of healing and strengthening.
Take care.
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RA.
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby RA. » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:25 am

I don't have advice either. We just ran loops on the resort. It was about 1-1.5km loop if we went from the beach to the lobby.

I hope you have a good get away.
Life is short. Stop whining!!- Jwolf

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greatstrides
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby greatstrides » Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:22 am

Deanna,
I've been thinking about you and I also hope the time is healing and strengthening.
Carrie

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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby West Grey Runner » Thu Jan 27, 2011 12:55 pm

I can help ….

I have run in Punta Cana a few times! There are two choices, the Beach or the resort, don’t even think about the road. If your running on the Beach stick to the area where the surf meets the dry sand and run in the morning before Sun rise or just too hot! Be careful not to run in the surf as the fine sand will pack into your shoes like concrete. Resort runs are an option if you want to go later in the day. Most resorts I have been too are pretty shaded and they all have fantastic aide stations. I like to end my runs with a shot of Rum, a Beer then a glass of Water!

Here is a link to my Punta Cana Running Blogs….
http://westgreyrunner.blogspot.com/2008/10/it-was-another-incredibly-hot-day-for.html
http://westgreyrunner.blogspot.com/2008/10/30k-last-three-days.html
http://westgreyrunner.blogspot.com/2008/10/74-k-on-beach-today.html
http://westgreyrunner.blogspot.com/2007/11/70k-on-beach-last-week.html

Have fun!

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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby Habs4ever » Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:18 pm

So happy to see a post from you. What a wonderful family you have to do this. Don't be afraid to enjoy yourself.
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby Jo-Jo » Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:50 pm

Like the above people I too am happy to hear from you...and even more pleased that you and Ian are able to get away..hopefully the sun will warm your souls.

As for running... no advice about DR...never been. But I do know when I ran in Mexico a few years ago I had to get my runs in very early...by 9:30 a.m. it was getting very hot. I used to head out at 7:00 a.m. I have a client who has spent a lot of time in DR this past year dealing with an estate and he couldn't believe how hot it was.

As Susan said, don't be afraid to enjoy yourselves.
Last edited by Jo-Jo on Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby QuickChick » Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:17 pm

The resort I stayed at (Excellence) was not in that big strip of resorts and not near the town, so I can't help too much. I ran on the beach and on this lovely path through a botanical garden. The one thing I'd warn about is to bring bug spray- I got eaten alive by sand fleas while running on the beach. Have fun!! I looooved Punta Cana. I preferred Mama Juana at my aid stations (it's a drink, really!).
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby pts » Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:34 pm

I have been thinking of you a lot and am glad to hear from you. A break sounds like a good idea and I am glad you have supportive family that is helping you.
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby seuss » Thu Jan 27, 2011 9:27 pm

greatstrides wrote:Deanna,
I've been thinking about you and I also hope the time is healing and strengthening.
Carrie


this exactly.
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getfit
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby getfit » Thu Jan 27, 2011 10:51 pm

I've been thinking of you too and praying that each day you'll be given the strength you need. I think a change of scenery is a very good idea. I hope you will enjoy your runs down there.
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby Geisha Girl » Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:23 pm

Also very glad to see a post from you. As with everyone your family has been on my mind.

I just got back from Punta Cana last week. It gets hot early there so if you run before 9am you should be ok or after 7pm - other then that it is too brutally hot. Your resort was given rave reviews from those at the airport we met so it is sure to be a good place. I didn't run on the beach but found the paths around the resort were enough for me - but I am a newbie and wasn't looking for anything longer than a 2km run.
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby JSmitty » Sat Jan 29, 2011 7:07 pm

As others have said, allow yourself some healing through the sunshine. Punta Cana is very hot, so go early and bring water for sure. If you go early, you may be able to run throughout the resort. We stayed there after our airline was unable to fly, but it was night and we had to leave quite early in the morning for the airport.

[quote=" The one thing I'd warn about is to bring bug spray- I got eaten alive by sand fleas while running on the beach. I preferred Mama Juana at my aid stations (it's a drink, really!).[/quote]

This resort is heavy with vegetation so bug spray is a must as well as the Mama Juana drink. In fact, I am "stewing a concoction" in my cupboard.
Hugs to you and Ian.
Cheers,
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Ongoing plan :To start running, continue with eating habits, positive outlook.
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DLS
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby DLS » Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:06 pm

Hi everyone,

We spent the week in Punta Cana, and while Ian ran out the front of the resort, and through the little shanty town that was there, I wouldn't do it as a woman alone. I ran on the beach (out and back, about 5k), and it was good as long as it was early enough to avoid having too many people there. I didn't have any issues with sand fleas or insects of any kind -- surprising given that the resort has a lot of slow moving water in it -- perhaps they spray insecticide...?

Other than that, the kids (our 10 year old and our 4 year old) enjoyed being away from all the sadness, and they spent their days swimming, building sand castles, and playing in the water. The weather was great.

Thanks for all your kind thoughts.

Deanna
Deanna

Running in memory of Porter.
"Make voyages. Attempt them. There's nothing else."

2012
Chilly Half Mar 4th - 2:03:33
Around The Bay Mar 25 - 3:10:19 - PB (de facto, but still!)
NF Womens Half June 4 - 1:59:00 - PB!
Portland Half Oct 7 - 1:59:15
Gorilla Run - 17k - DONE
ING NYC Marathon Nov 4 -- DNS, care of Hurricane Sandy
Philly Marathon Nov 18 -- 5:03:40 -- but completed!

2013
Miami Half 2:24
Chilly Half 2:24

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seuss
Kevin Sullivan
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby seuss » Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:12 pm

i thought of you all a lot this week. i am glad you had some much needed family time in a great setting.

wishing you all well as you learn to carry this loss with you through life.
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby a-slow-5 » Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:04 pm

I'm happy to read that you and your family were able to get away for a while. Everyone (kids and adults alike) need time away to help heal and strengthen. You are lucky to have such a great support network to help you through these times. Glad you had a good vacation. (I too just returned from DR. It was my first time there and we found it to be a very relaxing trip. I hope you did too.)
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Re: Running in Punta Cana

Postby frangio » Mon Dec 17, 2018 7:41 pm

Hello, I just wanted to thank you for all the information shared here because I booked a stay in Punta cana and being a sportsman I was wondering if it was possible to run in a different way in Punta cana. So thank you !


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