Fujairah teachers' half marathon challenge, December 2013

 

One by one, the teachers signed up. Interest, excitement, the challenge of a tough physical goal; whatever the reasons, eight brave individuals from Fujairah Academy signed up for the Dubai Creek half marathon on 6 December.

A training plan was drafted to fit around busy school life, consisting of three weekly runs of increasing distance over a ten week period. These were a mixture of city street loops, long corniche efforts towards Kalba, and off the beaten track wadi scrambles in the surrounding mountains.

As the summer heat subsided and the weeks passed, the initial reservations and struggles were gradually replaced by confidence and the feeling that "yes, I can do this!" Routine was established with impressive commitment by all not to miss sessions and let the team down! An essential element of our urban runs was a sprint finish to our local coconut water and fresh juice cafe, Al Arooba, for refuelling and reporting! The long runs went slightly further each week as race day approached and fitness levels peaked. What could go wrong!?

One week before the Dubai Rugby Sevens and two before race day, a random pirouette at rugby training resulted in a loud snap, a stab of pain, and a cry of anguish as I collapsed in a heap of disappointment. I had twisted my ankle badly and knew my hopes of playing for the East Coast Bulls that weekend were over. I had no idea whether I'd be fit for 21.1 km a week later.

The alarm clock sounded in the dead of the night. It was 5am on race day, and it was 90 minutes before the starting gun would release 1500+ running enthusiasts onto the streets of Dubai. My ankle was strapped and feeling far from 100%. Raquel (who had lost her voice in the days before) and I decided to "give it a go and see how it goes"; both taking a step into the unknown. Mark, Karima, Kirsty, Russell, Nicola and Karen had persevered with their training, and were ready and psyched for the grand finale!

BANG... and we were off! My first tentative steps felt OK, although I was conscious I was running with a slight limp. As the kilometres passed I felt no pain too worrying, and my confidence of completing the distance grew. This was my second year doing this interesting figure of eight course, which crisscrossed Dubai Creek and wound through its souqs and along its banks. The others were making their race and/or half marathon debut!

Before the race I would have been just happy to finish it. In the end I was delighted with a top fifty placing and a sub 1 hour 30 minutes time. I was even more happy and relieved that everyone in our group completed it in very respectable times and in one piece! There was plenty of post-race positivity, with comments of the race being "fun" and ambitions to do the same distance or even double it in the future! Everyone can be proud of this super achievement and richly deserve that medal around their necks. A job well done!

I'd highly recommend this great event with an excellent post-race breakfast to anyone. You can do it!!