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.

Run Forest, Run!

Don't scrutinize the technique, hey?

I can't believe it. I've been running for almost a year. My first post about it is here.

From my first limping staggers where running for three minutes seemed like climbing Mount Everest, in heels, I've improved massively. I can run comfortably for around an hour now, after which, boredom sets in.

You might say that in a year, one should really be reaching the heady echelons of Marathon running. I say: bore off. Perhaps if I lived in a country where it wasn't pushing 40 degrees AT NIGHT for six months of the year, I'd be inclined to set myself more stringent goals.

But to be honest, 10k is enough for me. That's an hour of my life, which, after a a 12 hour working day, is manageable. Anyone who has the time to run for 4 hours a night has my admiration, but not my commitment.

I'm now registered for not one, but TWO 10k runs. The first is November 9th. This is a little challenging as at the moment the temperature makes any outdoor run a sweaty hideous mess (I hate to run on a treadmill).

That sad, I'm still running outside at least twice a week. See you at the finish line!