I finished Tiny Sunbirds Far Away, which was fabulous. I enjoy escaping to Africa before I sleep, so I thought I would reread one of my favourite stories about a life full of love and loss in Kenya. Although, I think this is a bit like looking at photos of an ex, kind of opening all the wounds again...so maybe I should stop it.
Currently training for - Seville Marathon.
My running buddy are doing the Bahrain marathon relay this weekend (half each), then we will just fit in a few short, fast (for-me) runs before Espana. Ole! I am so excited about my second marathon- the tag line, 'the flattest marathon in Europe' sold it for me!
Currently watching- Mad Men Season Five. Love it. Makes me want to wear red lipstick and high heals more. Still watching Downton Abbey-but limit myself to one episode per week.
Currently thinking about- running. Really, that is pretty much it. I'm not worried about anything and just plan my meals and my training schedule, that is it. I work hard, but this year it is so much easier to leave my work head at school. I think much more in the short term at the moment, weekend plans, holidays, races. I have no idea where I want to be next year, but that is OK, I am not thinking about it at the moment.
Currently enjoying -the weather. Our short winter seems to be over and Spring has arrived. No more tights and jackets for 11 months (oh, apart from the summer in Scotland!).
Currently listening to- Milo Greene (perfect for weekend cooking sessions), Silent Way and 1957 are favourites.
The night before the Dubai marathon, the lovely Debbie (my Kenya running buddy) texted me to ask if I had fire wood and cold pasta. This was what we had to do when we camped the night before the Lewa half marathon. I was so tired at the start of that race, that the finish could not come soon enough.
We all imagine having the perfect, relaxing couple of days before a long race...yeahhh right!
Things not to do before your destination race:
Don't book flights (for destination races) on cheap, no frills airlines. It is asking for trouble. When there is fog, they are the only airline that seems not to be able to fly. I wonder if it is because their pilots don't have quite enough stripes on their uniform!?
Don't stay awake in the airport for 8 hours two nights before the marathon. Try to get a good nights sleep, in a bed preferable.
Don't check in your running gear. (I carried mine, luckily, as I did lose my luggage and had to make do with the hotel toothbrush and shampoo...but I survived!) Said cheap airline inevitably lost it.
Don't drink copious amounts of Prosecco the day before the marathon. Keep all corks in bottles until after the race...even if you think arriving in the country of the race is enough reason to celebrate!
Things to do before your destination marathon:
Check your residency expiry date (for GCC residents). This might save a lot of hassle and teary goodbyes to running buddies at the airport. Don't worry-it all worked out in the end for my running buddy and I.
Last night I signed up for the Bahrain relay marathon (I'm doing 21km). I have checked the weather, booked an expensive and I am only taking carry on luggage!
The celebrating helped relax my muscles, but it was still hard to keep my eyes open the night of the run!
We booked the perfect restaurant to celebrate by the Dubai Fountains, where a special light and fire show was on. We ate haggis to celebrate Burns night and completing the marathon and we proudly wore our medals all weekend.
