DAY 4 - DUBAI
I now seem to have a go-to sequence to get settled on the plane. I go through this then immediately tuck myself to sleep. Not that easy to get the sleep in but I just lay there and make myself comfortable. I wake up with four more hours of flight time so I decide to finally eat. I remembered that I need to really make sure my nutrition is prioritised so my energy level is sustained throughout the run. Then I start my preparations to get ready for race day. I still had a full two hours to relax before landing
Today’s landing is one for the books. We landed in style at the Jetex Lounge for private planes. It was surreal to be ushered into a posh lobby with super cars and Hermes bags on display. Then we go into the main lounge with mostly white Italian furniture, with Japanese toilets and a full concierge service. Not bad for a waiting area. I was already looking forward to our return there right before our flight. I also got a taste of a kababayan welcome from several Pinoy staff.
Then we headed to the race start at the Dubai Expo City. I first visited this place a couple of years ago during the World Expo. It feels great to come back and see it even if the pavilions are now mostly empty. It was also strange seeing it without the throngs of people milling around.
The Dubai race is an eight-loop course around the city. I originally thought it was six loops. When I found out it was plus two more loops I felt a little dejected but brushed that off. Good thing I found out on my third lap. The course weaved its way around the expo city, marked by arrows manned by marshalls. It was a good route, a well-thought of one.
What made this race special for me were the Pinoys who served as marshalls along the course and provided support at the aid stations. I may have come to this run by myself, and sometimes envy those who came in groups or with a partner. But for this race, it’s as if I have a full team supporting and cheering me on. My heart was happy and full throughout.
They asked how many more laps I need to do and kept on saying “Kaya yan Ate!” They checked if I had enough to drink or if I needed to eat anything. The Ate at the starting line aid station even took care of refilling my bottles. On my second lap, I made sure to take selfies with most of them as a memento of this interaction.
I started the run with a swollen left ankle that I was closely monitoring. I started to get used to the brush of pain with every single step I took. Then on the fourth loop I started to feel my right quads tightening into a big lump of unwieldy muscle. At some point the tightness radiated towards the inner thigh and groin area. I started to worry a bit.
It was also during this time that I did a mental shake up of myself. I was tired of dragging my feet, going slow and steady. I knew that my growing aches and pains would just be amplified and prolonged if I kept my slower pace. So I decided to tap into the self who used to run fast. I had to remember that once in my life I actually could run fast.
So I changed my breathing into what I call my working tempo- powerful and rhythmic inhales and exhales to get my drive going. This also allowed me to focus my whole mind on the run. When I go slow I tend to have varied thoughts and worries. This breathing and the corresponding faster pace forced me to direct my energy towards the current run. As it should be. I shall try to do this for the succeeding races.
I felt much better having a more active steady pace. I kept at it, but not without some moments of weakness. Whenever this happened I just got myself to the next marshall for my needed boost. The term “Kapit lang besh “ was so real to me.
Nutrition-wise, I think I managed it quite well. I got some dumplings from my Chinese friends at the starting aid station. The Chinese group always had loads of food from their friends and supporters. Some of them have taken me under their wing and made sure I was well-fed. I also made sure I took my gels at the end of each lap. I also tried to eat solid protein bars. I just wish that they served real food along the course. I am starting to get tired of gels and snacks.
On the seventh lap, I thought that I should drape the Philippine flag on my shoulders for the last loop. This would be my gesture of thanks for the Filipinos along the course. I wanted for them to feel represented. That someone like them is part of this unique race. That someone like them has a seat on the table. This thought tugged at my heartstrings because we have often observed how it is more common for Pinoys to serve people who participate in significant occasions . It is uncommon to witness a Pinoy as a participant. Unfortunately, I was told that other nations’ flags may not be displayed at the Expo City. So I did the next best thing and made sure to shake hands or hug the kababayans who made this race extra meaningful. I may have cried (or bawled) a couple of times from the intensity of gratitude I felt. I finished this race for my fellow Pinoys. I felt more determined because I didn’t want to let them down. I wanted them to be proud of me. An endeavor is truly worthwhile when we see it as part of something much larger than ourselves. When we choose to go beyond ourselves.
I ended the race on a high and with tears in my eyes as I crossed the finish line. I immediately went to the starting line Ates to say thank you for all their support. Then I made my way to the hotel room that Gillian booked for me. It was such a wise decision to book a room just right by the starting and finish line. Having my own shower was great . Plus I got to share it with my new Chinese friend, Yuki. The room was primarily reserved so I can get a physio session, which was another great decision. Aisha, the physio, said that she normally does not accept house calls beyond 930pm but when she heard I was a marathoner and part of this unique race she agreed. I needed a proper stretching because at this point my quads have already hardened. She said I needed to release this tension gently because I had a few more runs. If I force the release it will be too painful.
Then the mad scramble to make it to the meeting point ensues. It was yet a very short frantic time to pack, finish my massage and wolf down a few bites of my take out food. It was time to head to the airport again. It’s a good thing that we would be back at the Jetex lounge. I looked forward to the toilet and plush seats. I settled in at the Zegna lounge and started to do some recovery work. I compressed my legs together with two other girls on Normatec. We chatted while we worked on our legs. It was a full two hours before our flight.
I had better energy at the end of this day. Not feeling as spent as the previous day. I owe it to the Pinoy energy as well as the focused approach I applied to my running. Perhaps the nutrition helped too. I need to take these wins to the next race. I need a lot of mustering since my legs are very tight and it will be a cold race. I have been praying for this all evening. What I received was a reminder to “not be afraid of the pain”. I take this as an encouragement to accept the pain and have an active understanding and conversation with it. I honestly don’t know how to do this. Maybe I am called to simply keep going as I breathe energy and relief into my muscles with each step. The breathwork will be an integral part of the next race. I just have to shake off this worry and focus on the run. And the fun too :) We’ve got this. May not be easy but we will get there.