Sunday, January 06, 2013

Beach Fun without a Bikini



See: JO
I’ve blogged about incorporating running into my life on a few occasions. I’m very proud to say that I’ve gone from managing a few paltry, sweaty, wheezy minutes, to comfortably (or not) plodding along for 45. In December this fell by the wayside, which is criminal during one of our cooler months. Blame work I say (in fact, blame work for a lot, but that’s another story!).

Anyhow I’m back into a sort-of routine with it and have embraced the beach running track. Yes, much like South Beach in Miami or Bondi in Sydney, the beach is like a magnet for all sorts of activity in Dubai, and running is one of them. 

The track down at Jumeirah 1 is a joy: not just for its amazing bounciness (I swear my legs and shoulders sigh with relief when I step onto it) but also for the sheer number of people you see getting out and enjoying the weather. It’s in no way cramped, but full of all ages, creeds and colours, walking, running, rollerblading, or just playing on the sand and walking along the shore.

As the track meanders along the beach front houses, it’s a nice distraction to stare at the trillion dollar properties and imagine ‘could I live there?’ (Answer: yes. YES.) But mainly it’s a simple pleasure to plod along with some guilty pleasure tunes (Tom Jones anyone?) and soak up the friendly atmosphere. I won’t be breaking any land speed records but it’s so good for the soul. And that’s what counts.

Happy New Year!


Happy New Year kids! Hope you all had a lovely time celebrating, whatever you did. What did I do, I hear you cry? WELL it was all go, let me tell you. The barby was lit in the garden, food was roasted, champagne flowed, and then at 11.50 we walked out of the villa and watched the fireworks from the Burj Khalifa amongst all of our Satwa neighbours. It was so joyful, and I’m not ashamed to admit I felt a little emotional about the whole thing. But that could have just been the bubbles.


So what news of resolutions? I’ve never been crazy about these. I’m on a constant quest for self-improvement, goal setting, list making (the best book ever for this is here) so I’ve rarely felt the need to write a list just because it’s January 1st. I’m usually half way through two or three others!


That said, I will share a few of my thoughts with you here:

  • Continue to take huge joy in the simple things in life.
  • Get down to the running track on Jumeirah beach as often as physically possible (as per the previous point, it’s free, beautiful and oh-so good for the soul)
  • Embrace change (I already have some huge and exciting changes planned for 2013, you’ll have to wait and see what they are!)
  • Eat more egg sandwiches in the park.

That’s about it. I lead a life filled with many blessings. Here’s to many more adventures in 2013.