Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Thinking about running outside in Bahrain in September and I start to pine for my English summer coastal and countryside runs, with scenic panoramic views and just a few cows, tractors or soothing Atlantic waves to keep me company.
Now faced with the tedious treadmill I am starting to wane from my running plan and feeling less and less motivated.
Then a great nudge from a good friend to rejoin where it all started, with the lovely Ber Carton aka The Bare Athlete and my original 0-5K running group. It was Ber and the group that first got me pounding the pavement back in January and I could do with some new motivation, so despite the 38C and stupidly high humidity even at 6pm, off we went lapping the compound.
It was hot, sweaty, brutal running but with the company of Ber and the other ladies the kilometres clocked surprisingly quickly.
It was just the tonic needed for my running and although I won’t be participating in the forthcoming Ironman 70.3 (the run is a mere awe-inspiring 21km) I do feel I’m ready to go faster and for longer. Also, the poodle and I are hoping the weather will cool down in the next few weeks so we can enjoy our beautiful scenic beach runs on the Nurana Island beach.
Giggles, our family poodle, has been pining too, shaking her head in disbelief every time I reach for trainers but without grasping for the dog lead. Optimistically, I’m hoping the weather is on the turn and we both can bolt outside inhaling the salty sea air whilst passing fellow runners, dog walkers, friendly fisherman, wading birds and, hopefully, even a few flamingos.
