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Last Half of the Season

As I've mentioned before, one of the pleasant surprises about Dubai living has been the abundance of running events. It's certainly not NY Road Runners level, with a hussle around Central Park almost every weekend, but after completing today's half-marathon over at the Emirates Hills Golf Course, that makes 6 good runs for the 2011-2012 season. After today, I'll keep running outside as long as it's mild in the morning, though I'm fully expecting the thermostat to start rising and the Arabian desert summer to slam down upon us any moment now. Yes, it's only March.

Up at 5:15 and out the door at 5:30 so that I could get there ahead of the 6:30 start. As I walked outside to catch a taxi, I could hear the morning call to prayer from the mosque across Sheikh Zayed Road. Apparently the morning call translates to something like "God is more glorious than sleep," and most mornings during the week I spend my first waking minutes in a dozy haze, like James will catch me staring at something out the window with a blank look on my face. But on race mornings, I am up and out of bed in minutes, and adrenalized for the event that day.

Another observation at that early hour: the birds are chirping up a storm! It's still dark out, but they're announcing to each other with their sixth sense (their own call to rise) that the sun will soon appear. (Speaking of animal 6th sense, I saw a video this week of the inside of a store that was hit by the earthquake in Mexico City, and at first the only thing in the camera shot, pre-earthquake, is a dog curled up and sleeping. And then the dog leaps up and skedaddles in this frantic way that lanky dogs do, with the rest of the objects starting to shake seconds later and people hustling to run out.)

I've had a good running season, with a happy time at the Dubai Creek Half back in December, and then a slower time in the recent RAK Half thanks to sandstorm muggy conditions. In advance of this run, I bought a Timex watch with a timer on it so that I could start checking my pace along a race route, and the night before today's run, I pinned the print-out of my target pace time to my race number. The paces corresponded to a personal best, and my attitude was that I would see how things felt, and see how close I was able to get.

There are so many variables that affect my running - the air temperature, the humidity, the presence or lack of a cooling breeze, the undefinable je ne sais quoi of a race morning when I either feel it or I don't. People often ask me if I'm going for a particular time, but my mode with running events has always been the participation as accomplishment. I will never be a superstar at running, I am slow and steady, but the beauty of the sport is that I can treat it as a goal for myself rather than a competition against others. This means that, no matter what, it feels amazing to cross that finish line.

And so I set off as the horn sounded, and the race path curved around the golf course perimeter before crossing into a residential area where we ran along the bike path that follows the curves of an artificial lake. For the first 12-15 km, I was running faster than my target time, quite surprisingly. There were neat observations along the way: the runner dressed like Darth Vader; the mallard ducks; the gorgeous villa back yards with infinity pools (really amazing); the maids all out walking the family dogs.

I ran out of steam to maintain my pace in the last third of the race (or maybe it warmed up a little, or maybe it was the change in terrain to loose sand in the last bit), but kept on trudging. There's always a mental element to these events when it's this halfer distance, and in this case it was more pronounced because I was pushing the heart rate. It distills down to a feeling of "UGGGHHHH WHEN IS THIS GOING TO BE DONE." Certain self-negotiations and reminders, "it's only about 20 minutes more running," and "don't walk because then it will take longer to be done with this."

I rounded the corner in the final kilometer, and kept an eye out for my fan club president who was easily spotted ahead, snapping my photo as I approached. I recently saw the graphic below on a blog, and I cracked up because it is SO TRUE.  Back in December in Mauritius, the guy we hired for pictures wanted to photograph us running along the beach towards him and I was like, "yeah, I've seen enough course side photos of myself in races to know that these are going to be funny."  So I thought about this as I approached James on the course, in all of my finishing-a-halfer-with-a-grimace glory.

And yet, as always, once the finish line is crossed, wow does it feel great!

The pace times that I'd pinned to my race number had fallen off around 19k, soaked thanks to the bottles of water that I was pouring over my face along the way, so I no longer knew how far off target I was other than knowing that 2:08 was my personal best. Didn't make that, but when we got home, I did look up my previous times and saw that it was my 2nd best ever AND it was a sub-10 minute/mile pace (9:59, that counts), which feels quite gratifying.

We walked across the metro bridge to get to the car where, once I sat down, I started getting what I call "popcorn calves" where my calf muscles start twitching like crazy, it's quite funny. Back home, I chugged a carton of grapefruit juice and started with the rest of the day's plans for rest & relaxation. An excellent end to the Dubai running race season, and looking forward to autumn already. 

It Keeps Your Hands Occupied But Your Mind Free

After flipping through some beautifully photographed books about wine, which contained descriptive sections about Italy, I was compelled to reread one of my favourite books of 2011, Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton, because the final section focuses on her summertime visits to her husband's family in Puglia.  She buys assorted peas and vegetables from a crusty old roadside vendor with the intention of cooking a meal for the large extended family, and I particularly enjoyed this description:

We split the pods open with our thumbnails and slid each pea out into a colander set in between us. What I have loved about cooking my entire life, especially prep cooking, is the way that it keeps your hands occupied but your mind free to sort everything out. I have never once finished an eight-hour prep shift without something from my life - mundane or profound - sorted out.

This is one of the reasons why I like cooking, but it is also why I like running, aside from the elation and health factors.  I have written about this before, in January 2010 after a Manhattan Half-Marathon route that had runners circling the park twice. The meditative aspects of running are so calming. I told James, before this recent run in RAK, that I can sometimes have nervousness and remorse about entering a race because the monotony can seem daunting when considered from a distance. But the moment the race starts, the momentum propels me along and my mind simply zones out, watching the scenery and sorting out my thoughts. An amendment to Gabrielle Hamilton's passage, for me:

The way it keeps my body and legs occupied but  my mind free to sort everything out.

Footage From RAK Half

Good snapshots of the course, and those beautiful running strides of the lead pack. You can also see the sheikhs at the finish line. Having read a few blog posts from others, it seems that everyone finished slower than expected, by the same approximate amounts as me (I was 7 minutes slower than last year). Looking at my half-marathons since 2006, I was pretty much average, which is fine for me given the windy conditions.

Running in RAK

Setting an alarm for 3:50am on the first night of a weekend can only mean one thing - it's RAK Half-Marathon time! Yes indeed, we enjoyed a nice low-key evening on Thursday, our weekend kick-off here in Dubai, and at 4:30 the next morning I was curled up against the window of the shuttle bus, bound for Emirates Road and Ras al Khaimah.

Still dark when we arrived an hour and a half later, the start area was a hive of activity. I found a quiet spot to stretch and slather on a thick coating of sunscreen, and watched as the superstar runners did their warm-up jog. The superstar runners really are impressive, with Mary Keitany having raced a world record last year. To see these runners up close is also impressive; it reminds me of the days before the Boston Marathon, when I would be passed by a pack of tracksuited Kenyans along the Charles River, or the days before the NY Marathon when Central Park was full of elites. Standing about chest-high compared to me, with narrow narrow hips and shoulders, ultra efficient strides that seem to float them across the course. They are truly built for this sport and it is a pleasure to see them run so beautifully.

We lined up in the start corral around 6:45, and RAK's leader sounded the starting gun. The run began and as we crossed the start area, everyone waved to the sheikhs in the bleachers. One small, classy detail was that the sheikhs were still there when I crossed the finish line, including the leader; they hadn't headed out after the winners finished in an hour, but instead sat for well beyond (2:21 in my case) to smile at the finishers.

The course winds through RAK, with lots to see. The signage for different shops and cafes, the grand mosque, the floral pathways. There was quite a wind the whole way, kicking up swirling spirals of sand. Men lined the course watching the crazy runners with what I have come to recognize as one of two non-Western spectator modes: staring in bewilderment (or is it bemusement) or taping the whole thing on the cameraphone. Kudos to the gents at the 16km mark who applauded and cheered, bringing a smile to the runners' faces.

At the 18km mark, I turned the corner to the home stretch, knowing that there was just one more corner until the finish line. I crossed the 20km mark, turned onto the road with the finish in the distance and put away my iPod so that I could watch for James ahead. Easy to spot, with his lanky height, I started waving my arms overhead the moment I saw him.

Crossed the line, chugged three juice boxes, changed out of my clothes into nice dry ones and then headed to the parking lot to drive back to Dubai. But first, we sat in the car for 45 minutes because the whole world was trying to get out of the parking lot at the same time and, as with any traffic situation in the Middle East, they definitely do not follow Lions Gate Bridge etiquette. (e.g., two lanes merging into one, don't be surprised when a car vrooms up in between the two, like oh hey, a gap, and then others follow, and soon it's total chaos.) I had a couple of pb sandwiches that James had brought me from home; I can't remember where I read this before but the secret ingredient that makes meals taste incredible is fresh air.

My time was slower than usual because once I got going, I realized I was in the mood for a relaxed, steady pace rather than pushing it.  I didn't wear a watch but I could tell that I was doing a nice even pace because, in the last 5km, I started passing a lot of people who had likely done their first 75% of the run too quickly. Lots of walkers, and me, just jogging along, having not stopped running the whole time. So maybe 6-7 minutes slower than last year, but still very happy with the result.

We hit Emirates Road and made it back to Dubai by 11:30 for nice cups of tea and, later in the afternoon, a glorious four hour nap.

Finish line

Here I come

Spectators

At this point, there are 500m to go, and I'm a) totally happy to see James and b) totally happy it's almost done.

Me after the finish, elation, juice box, looking forward to my four hour nap later. Also, I'm wearing the awesome race tshirt, and you can see that the guys got really cool orange and yellow ones too.

Run Run Run

We signed up for the 10k event associated with the Dubai Marathon this year and, because the start area was right outside our apartment, we were able to roll out of bed and head right to the start on Friday morning. What a great course this year, along Emaar Blvd and then through Zaabeel to the World Trade Center area. The rising sun casting a lovely glow on the scenery and the blue skies creating a clear backdrop for the skyscrapers. James felt fantastic, pushing the pace at the end and even saying that he could have gone for another few miles (and would like to do the Donut 10 miler with me in November, noted!). We got our awesome tshirts and medals and then enjoyed the luxury of a short walk back home, from where we bought the paper and then stood out on the patio as the Ethiopian winner of the marathon crossed the finish line.

Sun hasn't even come up yet and there's a flurry of activity at the start area. We're about to head down ourselves.

We get in with the crowds in the start area, and admire the costumes.

Sun starts to rise

About 10,000 people did the 10k, apparently

Officials fire a gun..

And we're off!

From Emaar Blvd, turn onto Financial Centre Road as the sun starts to shine.

Then turn right towards the World Trade Centre.

Workers watching the runners.

Turn around and come back past Emirates Towers.

Continue on past DIFC.

One interesting part of running in this region is that you see how the Muslim women dress for the race and, as you can see here, yes they do still wear a sporty veil.

Ethiopian fans

We would later read that nine of the top 10 marathon finishers were Ethiopian. Beautiful efficient strides, and exhilarating to watch their long lopes to the finish line.

Finishers, particularly thrilled later when we saw that we had a sub-10 minute/mile pace. Feeling fantastic!

2011 Year in Review: Running

While my running events in Dubai will never be as frequent as they were in New York City, there have still been some fantastic events and results this past year. I also kept up the daily morning run habit, going 5-6 times every week to kick off my day.

January 21 - Dubai Standard Chartered Marathon 10km (Dubai Media City, along Jumeira Beach Road)
We didn't run the marathon, just the 10km route; and we didn't get an official time because the traffic was so bad that we arrived ~25 minutes after the start. But it was so much fun to run this event with James, and cross the finish line together.

February 18 - RAK Half-Marathon (Ras Al Khaimah) 10:20min/mile, 2:15:23
I had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to catch a bus out to RAK, and it was beautiful to see the sun rising over the Hajjar Mountains on the coast. We started the race and passed the sheikhs, waving from the stands. The course wove through town, giving a nice view. As I rounded the corner for the homestretch, the President of my running fan club was waving in the distance, having driven the few hours to meet me.

November 11 - Dubai Women's 10k (Palm Jumeira) 9:49min/mile, 1:05:55
Beautiful to see the skyline of Dubai (Burj al Arab) in the distance on race morning. My initial time was slower than I had expected, but later the race organizer emailed to let us know that oops, we'd actually run 10.8km.

November 25 - Mirdif Milers Donut 10 (Mushrif Park) 10:26min/mile, 1:44:23
Several laps in a desert park, a beautiful course with the airplanes coming in for a landing overhead. I listened to a bunch of podcasts to get me through it. Camel-shaped medals at the finish line!

December 9 - Dubai Creekstriders Half-Marathon (Dubai Creek) 10:05 min/mile, 2:12:16
Fantastic course with beautiful scenery and lots to see. I powered through and really pushed on the hills and bridges, resulting in my 2nd best half-marathon time ever!

Over, Under and Around The Creek

Here is the mystery of running. In a given event, there are so many variables that can affect things - the start time, the air temperature, the wind, the course, the hills, the lack of hills, the number of people. Even the runner herself: the meal the night before, the amount of sleep, the amount of training, the general emotional state, the general physical state.

Sometimes, I can show up for a run like this weekend's half-marathon, and be mentally prepared to do my usual plod-along pace. I enjoy a glass of wine the night before. Podcasts are ready so that I can distract myself with some stories. I tell the President of my Fan Club that I'm targeting a two-and-a-half hour time.

And then I arrive at the creek, check my bag, and spend the next 45 minutes strolling around, shaking out my legs to loosen up, and as the sun rises and the race begins, I'm suddenly feeling it.

All photos taken by James, as I decided not to carry a camera along the race course (though there would have been a million things to photograph along the way).

The race takes us south down the east side of the creek and then up and over the Garhoud Bridge. As I approach the ramp to the bridge, the first of many gorgeous scenes: a trail of runners, tracing the path below, the ramp and then crossing the bridge. In the distance, the sunrise illuminates the skyscrapers along Sheikh Zayed Road, golden glint from the Burj Khalifa. Blue sky gloriousness. Down below the bridge, in a parking lot next to an overgrown, abandoned amusement park, men have already embarked on their weekend of cricket play. It's 6:40am, and the city is beautiful. The creek to my right, though signaling the long distance that I will run, is a smooth surface of water, reflecting the buildings alongside. The floating bridge, open at this time of the morning to let boats through.

Running up the creek parks, and then alongside the water, we pass men standing on the water with their fishing rods angled out over the creek. Cigarettes dangle from their mouths.

Crossing the Maktoum Bridge, back to the east side of the creek, we then run along one of my favourite parts of Dubai. The loading docks where the dhows sit, piled high with anything from car tires to bags of popcorn kernels to appliances.

Earlier in the morning, while it was still dark outside, I had caught a taxi to take me to the race start. As we drove the quiet streets, I could hear the call to prayer for sunrise, and then as we wove closer to the start area, we passed these loading docks. On a concrete plaza, something that I have never before seen in Dubai, about 60 men (the dhow crews, I'm sure), engaged in their synchronized morning prayers, out in the open air, the sun just beginning to illuminate the sky with the palest orange light.

Back on the run, we pass the abra station where the tourists have yet to appear, but the boat pilots stand in a group, watching us with the same look of either bewilderment or bemusement, I couldn't tell which, like "what are these crazies doing, running on a Friday morning?"

Continuing along the creek, more fishermen, more abra drivers. And then the Shindagha pedestrian tunnel. On the other side, I can see runners who have emerged from the tunnel, and I can hear the cheers of the water station volunteers. I enter the tunnel and descend, spiral, spiral, spiral, and then long downhill stretch underneath the waters of the creek, followed by a long uphill stretch to resurface.

These long uphills to the several bridge crossings and this one tunnel crossing, these were the moments when I realized that this was a different run for me. I was passing people. I was bursting with energy. I was determined to get the hills over with so that I could proceed with the flat parts, so better get it over with quickly.

The course continued right along the water of the creek, along the narrow lane that goes right past the restaurant where we've eaten a few times, and then past the abra station, and then through the corridor of the souk. At this time of the morning, it's all people walking on their way to work; no crowds. Emerging onto the path that follows the water, we continue back southward. More people playing cricket on the lawns. The Maktoum Bridge comes into view, 2km left. I continue to grab two of those foil-sealed water cups at each station, cracking the foil with my thumb as I run and drinking without breaking a stride. At this point, I know that I am doing better than I had hoped.

I round the corner into the park, one last slight uphill to the finish, and then there's my Running Fan Club President, waving like crazy, and I cheer in response. A final sprint to the finish, and it's DONE. My heart rate will remain elevated for the next few hours. I'll enjoy a nap in the afternoon. My legs will take a few days to loosen out of their stiffness.

But the best part is that I'll know it was a great effort, my 2nd fastest halfer ever. AWESOME.

10 Miles in the Desert

A taxi pick-up at 5:40am meant that I was out at Mushrif Park by about 6:10 to pick-up my race number for the morning's 10 mile running event. Three laps of a bike path in the park, through desert terrain with some nice little hills and a gorgeous plateau at one point, with the skyline of Dubai in the distance. The proximity to the airport meant that we were right under the flight path, with Emirates jumbo jets soaring overhead. In other places, flocks of birds came to rest in tree branches and a lone predator bird sat atop a branch, surveying the creatures in the dry shrubs below. A slight haze of cloud all morning meant that we were never too hot, and the slight breeze kept it at a perfect running temperature

The run had promised donuts at the finish line, and sure enough, there they were. But I was experiencing such a rush from completing the 10 miles with a strong time, and also from spotting James within about a 100 metres of the finish line, that I didn't need a donut snack. Instead, I enjoyed the camel-shaped medal that they gave the finishers, the feeling of changing into a clean tshirt and sandals, and the drive home as the clouds cleared from the sky. Sitting at the breakfast table back home by around 10:30, enjoying eggs and toast, and the nice soreness from 10 miles first thing on a nice morning.

10k on the Palm

Started the running event season with a 10k that traced the east crescent of the Palm, providing a beautiful view of the Gulf and city skyline and a nice cooling seabreeze.

Pre-race - here I am, thinking it's going to be chilly out at 6 in the morning. My mind is still in NYC morning run mode, clearly. The toque was removed when we got outside and found it to be perfectly warm and nice. No extra layers needed.

Approaching the start with the Burj Al Arab in the distance, as the sun rises.

Start area.

Exercise and The Brain

I've officially started running again this week, and have been feeling euphoric. The summer of iron-pumping has meant that my legs and stride feel strong, and the only adjustment has been from a bit of stiffness in transitioning from cushioned treadmill to paved sidewalk. A season of running beckons!

On the subject of running, there was this interesting article about Exercise And The Brain in Fast Company:

As Dr. John Ratey noted in his seminal work Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (2008), exercise isn't just about physical health and appearance. It also has a profound effect on your brain chemistry, physiology, and neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to literally rewire itself). It affects not only your ability to think, create, and solve, but your mood and ability to lean into uncertainty, risk, judgment, and anxiety in a substantial, measurable way...