No running to report sadly as knee deep in the World Diabetes Congress in hot and sunny Dubai. I can however report on a wonderful initiative launched by my football club, Lewes FC. More details here. There's simply not enough of this sort of thing in football in my view.
There is a 5K race at here in Za'Abeel Park at 07:15 on Thursday. I plan on taking part, not least because all finishers will get a commemorative shirt and also because my burgeoning Guinness reservoir is adding unightly girth to my contenance. It'll be warm but hopefully not 81 degrees as it has been every day so far. I'll shut up about the weather now
(05-12-2011, 07:50 AM)Sweder Wrote: There is a 5K race at here in Za'Abeel Park at 07:15 on Thursday. I plan on taking part, not least because all finishers will get a commemorative shirt and also because my burgeoning Guinness reservoir is adding unightly girth to my contenance. It'll be warm but hopefully not 81 degrees as it has been every day so far. I'll shut up about the weather now
So near and yet so far... my flight leaves at 07:45 that very morn.
(06-12-2011, 09:09 AM)Bierzo Baggie Wrote: Love the stuff you post about Lewes FC. The sort of team I'd probably end up watching if ever I ended up back in the UK.
They have a great U18s and a cracking ladies' team too: SEWCL Table
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
Dragging my weary carcass out of bed at 06:30 to take part in what was effectively a giant Parkrun felt like Mission Impossible this morning. Sanofi Aventis, one of the companies taking part in the World Diabetes Congress, sponsored the event, held in Za'abeel Park. I confess to feeling obligated, my reluctance conveyed perfectly to Dubai's commuters through my Quasimodic countenance.
Over 2000 entrants ran or walked the mildly undulating Parkland course. In keeping with Sanofi's green initiative we were encouraged to travel via 'train' - the space-age monorail system now fully operational throughout the city. The impressive stations, shining gold-hooded cocoons, hint at cinematic futurescapes seen in Minority Report or Bladerunner. From pavement level they bear a striking resemblance to the Martian vehicles from the recent re-make of War of the Worlds.
The scope and organisation of the 5K were jaw-dropping. We assembled outside Gate One where we were told the Sheik (rumoured to be Sheik Hamdan) would open proceedings. As we scanned the roads for a motorcade someone yelled and pointed skywards. A small dot appeared above us trailing a graceful spiral of gently dissipating orange smoke. The dot became a smudge that morphed into a human figure under a small square canopy, a skydiver dropping perilously fast towards us. He swooped, plummeting towards the far end of the road before leveling out at the last minute and racing along the line of whooping cheering runners. With a flick of his wrists he flared his 'chute, stalling perfectly to land as if stepping off a kerb. I found myself screaming with the rest, punching the air, adrenaline pumping. Parachute gathered and helmet removed the skydiver turned to salute the assembly, a handsome tanned face grinning wildly under Oakley shades: Sheik Hamdan Mohammed bin Maktoum. Some entrance.
Three buddies followed him in, executing perfect fly-by landings. By the time the crowd had calmed down and we'd moved into the park I was ready to run up Mount Wellington never mind around a park.
At the start line the desert sun rose over tables laden with fruit and beverages. Liveried porters looking for all the world like CoffeeBusters patroled the area dispensing hot coffee from back-mounted containers. Hundreds of runners jabbered excitedly about the Sheik's arrival as synapse-popping music thumped out of giant speakers. This was some do. I shook hands with a number of people I've been working with this week; Ronan, leader of the impressive IDF BRiDGES project, Lorenzo with whom I'd run the Brussels 20k a few years back, Tim from the Melbourne Convention Centre (this event moves there in 2013) and any number of exhibitors. Everyone was grinning from ear to ear, fired up and ready to run.
The race itself is a bit of a blur. I'd resolved to start slowly and build, hoping to duck under 25 minutes. My recent excesses - consecutive steak dinners, Guinness sessions, some delectable red wine last night (Evans & Tate Margaret River Shiraz) - meant my expectations as I slid from under the duvet at dawn's crack were at a fairly low ebb. By now my blood was up, full of adrenaline triggered by memories of Accelerated Freefall back in Texas mixed with strong black coffee. I passed any number of runners who seemed to be jogging leasurely around the park. We crossed the bridge over one of the many multi-lane freeways before looping around the lake. On the return crossing I spied Ronan chugging along in the opposite direction. I was a full kilometre ahead of him; I had no idea how or why. Moments later I was plunging down the grass bank towards the finish, the MC calling my name (he works for Tracks Inc, the firm who organised the event here and did so in Cape Town (2006) and Montreal two years ago).
'Here's Ashley, the guy who handles the logistics for the congress. Going well I see! Way to go Ashley!!'
I guess I was going well ... across the line, a squeeze on the Garmin. Blee-blip.
21:49, a 25 second 5KPB. Well I never ...
Moments later I'd inhaled a banana and tracked down one of the CoffeeBusters. I felt fabulous. None of this made any sense to me but what the heck? Who's to say what makes us go well on any given run-day? I wish I knew, better yet that I could bottle it. I'd make a mint.
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
I'm with MLCM - 21:49!! You keep saying how out of shape you are but then manage to pull off a very, very quick 5km. You're more than a machine - I don't know how you do it!! If you could bottle it, I'd be buying.
Thanks Suzie. You'll have to trust me on the shape report; it's not for the feint hearted. I've capitalised on long periods of rest and reccuperation (or does R&R stand for Rack & Ruin?), a lack of injuriues and being nicely fired up on the day. I need to work on some base fitness and 'restructuring' my 'physique' between now and Almeria.
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
The night I got home (Saturday) I suffered a most terrible cramp in my right calf. It happened as I slept and felt as if a blunt blade had been plunged into the muscle. 24 hours later it still throbs and it's painful to straighten my leg. I'm planning a hot/ cold compression regime today and a very mild plod to push blood through the area. It's a worry as it seems to be the same spot Ripley collided with before P2P. The weeks before Xmas were earmarked for some base work; looks like I'll be seeing a physio instead. Bah.
I've been here before. Cramp often follows a big show, when I'm covering up to ten miles of unyielding congress floor per day, often in footwear ill designed for the duty. Note to self: invest in comfy shoes ya edjit.
(12-12-2011, 06:34 AM)Sweder Wrote: The night I got home (Saturday) I suffered a most terrible cramp in my right calf. It happened as I slept and felt as if a blunt blade had been plunged into the muscle. 24 hours later it still throbs and it's painful to straighten my leg. I'm planning a hot/ cold compression regime today and a very mild plod to push blood through the area. It's a worry as it seems to be the same spot Ripley collided with before P2P. The weeks before Xmas were earmarked for some base work; looks like I'll be seeing a physio instead. Bah.
I've been here before. Cramp often follows a big show, when I'm covering up to ten miles of unyielding congress floor per day, often in footwear ill designed for the duty. Note to self: invest in comfy shoes ya edjit.
So you are perhaps human after all...? Although that ten pints before the race suggests otherwise...???
(12-12-2011, 06:34 AM)Sweder Wrote: Note to self: invest in comfy shoes ya edjit.
Having reached a milestone age, I guess you'll start receiving those mail order catalogues with the comfy shoes now.
Hope it recovers quickly though. Sounds like the canine collision did some deep damage that will take a while to heal. Simple rest is probably the answer... actually, if it's only aggravated by hard sessions, you may get away with it anyway.
Good news; I managed a leisurely 3.6 miles plod under the careful scrutiny of a gorgeous winter sun. Soft muddy hills offer the perfect testing ground for sore limbs and the calf seems if anything relieved afterwards. I'll treat with hot & cold and try some rolling pin massage (a killer for anyone brave enough to try this properly).
I've just spied this race is on in Almeria on 15th Jan. I have to say the Spartan design appeals but there's the usual problem of getting back - no direct flight until Tuesday morning so it's either another long weekend (not likely) or an expensive re-routing via Murcia or madrid. Shame as it looks, well, 'interesting'.
I was trying to sign up for the half but the Medio Maraton website still shows 2011 details. Nothing if not laid back these Spanish folk
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
![[Image: MCAlquian12.jpg]](http://www.todofondo.es/pruebas/imagenes/MCAlquian12.jpg)