Dubai Desert Road Run 3K Race Recap

I'm super excited to write a race recap about my first race in a new country!

As a runner, running races in different states has always been appealing. When I discovered that the Dubai Desert Road Run 3K and 10K event was being held during my visit, I couldn't wait to sign up and add another country to my list. Since running in the heat hasn't been my friend, I signed up for the 3K. I figured running a 2 mile race in another country was better than not running at all! It was really about the bragging rights anyway :)

The race was held at The Sevens Stadium about 30 minutes from our hotel. The Sevens is a multi-purpose sports complex with fields used for rugby, soccer, football, tennis, track & field and concerts. As you can see in the picture below, the venue is literally surrounded by desert. Appropriately, there is even a camel racing club next to it.

source

We took a taxi to the race and had plenty of time to pick up my bib, look around, and get ready for the race. Even though the venue was kind of fancy pants with changing rooms and showers available, the race itself was pretty simple. I like simple.

The 10K runners started promptly at 7AM followed immediately by the 3K at 7:05AM. The course for both races began behind the grandstand and led runners out of the stadium complex onto traffic free back roads.

The race was quiet. Most of the spectators stayed near the grandstand where they had music at the start/finish area, so the only people out on the course were runners, photographers, and aid station volunteers. Running toward the 3K turn-around, all I saw was flat brown sand and groups of camels.

The camels were on the other side of the fence to my right.

Even at 7 o'clock in the morning it was warm. As I ran toward the finish, I was glad that I chose the 3K.

My results were much better than I expected. The 3K race was not chipped timed, but instead numbers were manually recorded at the finish line.

It was a blessing that mrC's class schedule opened up and he could go to the race with me. He is still on the no-running list following his gallbladder surgery, but we're both anxious for him to get back in his running shoes.

After cooling down, we skipped the awards and made our way out to find a taxi back to the hotel.

Have you ever run a race in another country?

#RUNOOTD: Dubai Desert Road Run

Tomorrow morning I will be running my first international race!

It is freaking hot in Dubai. Including the mornings. One day it was already 88 degrees before 8AM.

Fortunately, women can wear regular running clothes in public during a run, so picking out my race day outfit didn't feel any different than any other time.

This will be the first time that I get to wear my ZOOMA Cape Cod Ambassador singlet during a race. It's a Scantron made by Oiselle.

I'll also be wearing one of my favorite running skirts (also by Oiselle), the Bum Wrap. It's super comfortable.

Finally, my three MUST-HAVEs include:

My Mizuno Wave Rider 18s, one of my favorite running shoes.

My Nike GPS watch. Because honestly, I love seeing the route mapped out after a run.

My Simple Hydration water bottle.

I have to admit, it feels really good to not have to layer up like I did at my last race in New Hampshire.

Do you plan your race day outfit in advance?

Finding Fitness at the Beach

One thing I have been able to do a lot of here in Dubai is walk.

On our sightseeing adventures there are endless sidewalks and the public beaches are lined with boardwalks.

On top of that, there are kilometers and kilometers of jogging paths (going with the UAE language here) including along the beaches.

I was completely impressed with the miles of rubbery running paths and then we we found the outdoor gyms. These stations are placed up and down the beach along the boardwalk and are free to use. I love a good outdoor workout.

Love the directions provided at each station.

But wait, there's more! On our last outing we found an outdoor gym that mrC said was similar to Venice Beach (never been there so I wouldn't know). Next to it was a small storage with bikes used during spin class. This outdoor gym is better than Venice Beach because there is staff to help people. You can read more about it here.

Do your parks/beaches have workout equipment?
Would you use an outdoor gym?

#CheerBoston from Dubai

It's Marathon Monday and I'm super EXCITED to support my #BostonStrong runners today via the BAA LIVE stream.

Last night mrC and I went back to the Dubai Mall for some dinner on the Waterfront and to see the famous Dubai Fountain Show. We had dinner at Carluccio's, right on the promenade and watched the first 3 minute show while having dinner. Since the show is every 30 minutes, we walked around to watch from different spots and saw the show three times.

This morning, I joined my GMMRTT friends for a virtual Boston Strong 2.62 Miles to support all the runners of the Boston Marathon.

I am so happy for ALL of the runners, but especially my running friends, my MRTT peeps, and my fellow running bloggers.

So good luck to all my Boston Marathon running friends:

Angela Bekkala
Jen Boudreau
Dani Holmes-Kirk
Lauren Lisi Pino
Kathleen Wheeler
Elizabeth Beeson
Zoe Schwalje
Kelly Herr
Cape Cod Runner
Hungry Runner Girl
Cross My Heart Fitness
Stuft Mama
We Run Disney


Do you know someone running Boston today?
Give them a shout-out in the comments!

Weekend Snapshot: Tall Buildings, Treadmills, and Parks

The weekend in Dubai is Friday and Saturday. Fridays are holy days in the Islamic culture, so all offices and schools are closed.

On Friday, mrC and I went to the Dubai Mall to see the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. We purchased our tickets online (about 35 dollars each) to guarantee a spot at the time we wanted. The entrance to the Burj Khlifa is located near the food court of the mall. We printed our tickets at the online kiosk, grabbed a cup of Caribou coffee, and waited for our time slot.

After going through security, we made our way though a series of hallways displaying information about the construction of the tower to the high speed elevator area. We took about a one minute ride to the 124th floor observation deck. The views were amazing!

Afterward we walked around the waterfront and scoped out places for when we return for dinner and to watch the Dubai Fountain show.

Before leaving we walked around the mall a little. The Dubai Mall is huge. In addition to the traditional shopping, inside you will find the Dubai Ice Rink, Fashion Avenue where you'll find 70 luxury brand flagship stores (think Chanel, Versace,  Hermes, Jimmy Choo), a real dinosaur skeleton exhibit, a flight simulator, the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo and more.

With all that walking I hit 10,000 steps on my Fitbit before dinner, but the darn thing is having trouble syncing here in Dubai. Sadly, most of my days look like I have had ZERO steps.

Speaking of dinner, we ate at Texas Roadhouse and I had the best Chicken Caesar Salad. I'm still thinking about it.

Saturday was a lazy day for me. mrC had his check-ride (he passed!), so I went for a run and did some swimming. Since it was already 80 degrees at 6:30 AM, I chose the fitness center. It was much easier than my outdoor run the other day.

My first elevator runfie!

When mrC finished his work, we went to dinner at TGIFs (so many American restaurants!). I had a so-so chicken enchilada. It's nice to eat out and not have to clean up, but I'll be happy when we are settled and have a kitchen of our own.

After another simple buffet breakfast at the hotel Sunday morning, mrC and I took a walk to drop off some laundry and enjoy the local park.

Do you track your daily steps?
What's the biggest mall you've been to?