So my Oak Park running friend is always bugging me to write little mini articles for our clubs newsletter, training in Dubai, running in Dubai, etc. I've only written a couple (a Ramadan one and one from my Dubai marathon). He next is asking me to write about training for Boston marathon in Dubai. Although haven't really started the article yet, am getting some thoughts organized.
One is how to do hill training? Well, Chicago is obviously flat and when I was training for the Cincinnati Flying Pigs marathon in 2001, I remember doing runs out in Barrington. I somehow don't recall doing too many, but maybe it was the age in me, smashed my previous 4:00 marathon to a 3:41, which at that time was just a few seconds off from qualifying for Boston, ironically.
Here we are 14 years later and I finally did qualify. Only now I am living in the desert, which is even flatter than Chicago! Fortunately, life here is "work hard, play hard" and there are a ton of crazy people that do ultra's, super ultra's, and everything in between. So it didn't take much looking to find people to run hills with me. Only thing is the hills are near the border of Oman, the Hajar mountains, and is a good 'ol hour and 15 min drive, and mind you, it gets HOT HOT HOT here, so basically for the last few weeks have gotten up at a little past 4 in the morning to start running at 6am to be done before 9am. Although that was painful, especially because on Fridays was waking up at 4am as well to get in extra mileage before our group runs, so my life has been a bit of a social disaster BUT amazing as far as training. Have felt super strong and good so far, so hopefully all this sacrifice will be worth it. Oh, and yes, am very mindful of my sleep and go to bed quite early, around 9-9:30pm those nights before. Phew!
Anyhoo, what I was trying to say is that despite all that, it really is a breath of fresh air. The air literally is cleaner and more crisp and it's nice to actually see nature. Mountains! Natural grass! Trees!!! NO superficial and artificial buildings! Dare I say NATURE again? So I do hate to admit it, but I really did enjoy these hill running.
Thought I would share a few snaps, from Hatta and then from Jebel Hafeet. Both near the border of Oman, but different areas. Hatta is has some steep up and downs and Jebel Hafeet is pretty much ALL up.... and then all down. Both fairly tough and could literally feel my heart pounding out of my chest at times.
Up the last hill in Hatta before a steep decline
Haha, mouth closed in Jebel Hafeet - No front tooth!
Jebel Hafeet
Then.... the random spring weather we've been having. As East coast and Chicago have been going through cold, rain, and everything in between, we've had random fog and sandstorms:
Was at the gym of my friends building, Index towers, 30th floor, and while I was doing my tempo incline runs on the treadmill, slowly started to see fog raise from below! How random! You can see my building (usually) and now you can barely see the top of it. Either way, quite a view from there!!
Less than a week later, and this is NOT from a screen or anything, is the view from my mini balcony, a major sandstorm! You really could hardly see 100 ft in front, so a bit dangerous driving and walking. Dust everywhere!
So there you have it, random Dubai update! Leaving for the States in 2.5 weeks, eek! Next post will prob be when I get back, not sure if I will do a brief "I DID IT" post about the Boston marathon, but hey, stay tuned! :-)
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