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Running

In 2007, I continue to run regularly, though with less spurt as the years wear on. I run at least one Hash (Hash House Harriers) a week, usually about 7 or 8 km, and when in Abu Dhabi I run a 10 km predictor at the end of each week (stopped doing 15k). Plus I generally do a mid-week run of about 6 km. That's down from my 2001 distance of anywhere from 8 to 20 km (depending on outside temp and stage of training). My running goal is to run a time in minutes equivalent to my age over ten kilometers each year for as long as possible. Well toward the end of my 6th decade, I am still able to do that (in cool weather).

In the year 2000 I had a setback. My miniscus cartilege in my left knee tore in April and it took me seven months of unsuccessful attempts to rest and resume running before I decided to have the orthroscopic surgery to repair it. I had the operation Oct 3 and was running again after a 1-month recuperation. My stamina suffered, but by Nov 9, 2001, I had come back suffienctly to compete in a half Marathon in Abu Dhabi, in a time of 1.57.48, finishing 43rd out of 55 finishers. I no longer run Marathons, but I try to do at least one half marathon a year. My last one, March 10, 2006, I finished in 02:00:28 (rats I know I could have done it in under two hours) http://www.abudhabistriders.com/races/results/results060310.html

Someone asked me how many half marathons I've done. I have no idea. Here's another one:

  • Nov 19, 2004, my time was 2:16:17.
  • I'm sure I competed in either 2005 or 2006
  • March 9, 2007, my time was 2:04:18
  • November 16, 2007, slowing down at 2:14:02
  • Feb 28, 2008, I registered for the www.zayedmarathon.com/, got an email from them the night before to reply by SMS to confirm place, did that, got email next morning, day of race, telling me to pick up race packet by noon from a shopping mall. I was teaching, so I reported to the start without race bib, expecting to find one there, found instead crowds and chaos, no one there with any paperwork. I ran without a number and watched the serious runners go ahead. At least I can still run the distance.

See also:

At right, competing in a swim-run biathalon
in Abu Dhabi in fall, 1998 >>

Here is my marathon running record:

Date

Venue

Time

Conditions

Feb 24, 1989

Bahrain

3:29:41, my first marathon ever

Cold to cool throughout a four lap course

Jan 26, 1990

Muscat

A bit over 3.5 hours

Pleasant first 10K, hot at the finish

1991

Muscat

Just under 3.5 hours

Cool - refreshing rain during run

Jan 31, 1992

Muscat

3:21:39, personal best

Cool to pleasant for most of the race

January 1998

Abu Dhabi

3:59:57, cut it close

Cool start, warm at finish, didn't train as before. In any event, I won the over-40 category.

February 1999

Abu Dhabi

4:09:42 (personal worst, but hey, I did it!)

24 degrees C at 5 a.m. start (75F). But overcast throughout race.

I think this is it for me for marathons. Knees just aren't up to it anymore. Orthroscopic surgery some years ago repaired a torn meniscus, the problem has never recurred, and wearing heel pads in all my shoes has kept my plantar fasciitis happily under control as well. Coming onto 2008, slowing down and cutting back, but running well enough thank you very much.


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Last updated: February 29, 2008 11:30 GMT