For the love of running

Why do people run marathons? We run along with Dubai residents who are avid marathoners - not for glory or even the feeling of achievement - but because it's a hobby and a challenge worth the effort

For Filipino resident Raffy Dolor, it was curiosity, over anything else, that drove him to try out - hold your breath - not just marathons, but the triathlon! Back in 2004, he felt challenged by the idea of competing in and finishing three different disciplines in one event. "I really wondered if I could even finish it," the slender-built runner says.
But once his curiosity was piqued, there was no stopping Raffy. "Once I decide what race I want to run, I create a detailed training plan. It usually takes me around six months to prepare for a Half Ironman distance race - and training takes around 6-8 hours a week," he says. So a typical training day for Raffy starts at 4 am for a bike ride, or a run and a swim session at night. The days leading up to the actual event saw him "tapering off" which basically means cooling down the physical activity, as the major part of the physical preparation is done, and "you need to allow the body to recover before the event," Raffy points out.
Running, swimming and biking during the actual event is another thing altogether. "For me, the thrill comes when, at a certain point of the race, I hit the 'wall', which is when every part of your body starts screaming at you to stop. A 'voice' in your head starts saying 'just stop or walk for just a little bit, you're tired, you can't go on anymore'. But you just push yourself to go on and then you get your 'second wind' and start believing that, 'yes, I can finish this!'"
Thus, the effect of running marathons isn't just confined to the track or during the act of running, Raffy says. "It helps you face stressful situations in your daily life, and toughens you up mentally." And it certainly helps with Raffy's day job as a lifeguard! Like many people who tend to take up marathon-running, Raffy has always been into sporty activities, like swimming and hiking in the mountains, whenever he got the chance. And he's inspired by famous sports figures, like Manny Pacquiao, the Filipino world champion ?professional boxer.
In spite of the extreme summer weather here, Raffy says there's a reason why UAE residents can't follow their calling to run. During the cooler months, you hear of marathons being held somewhere in the UAE almost every week. "The government of Dubai, in particular, has invested a lot in developing sports, and by hosting international events. We have many kilometres of running paths and cycle tracks to train on now. The authorities have invested a lot to make sports accessible to the public.
"Social media has also made the community smaller, in terms of organising group training sessions and sharing valuable training techniques."
Raffy hasn't done a full distance triathlon yet (3.8km swimming, 180km cycling, and 42km running), but he's considering that as his next possible goal. And he has one piece of advice for would-be runners. "Just start by becoming more active - a small effort every day will have a lifelong positive effect. Don't be intimidated."
The 'hobby' runner
Jillian Anna Stevens, an Australian expat in Dubai, is one of those who runs for a "hobby". according to her. But her marathon tally is an impressive five full-length marathons (42km each), several half marathons (21km) and 10km races, more than anything most of us will even venture in a lifetime.
Unfortunately, the 31-year-old broke her foot a couple of years ago, and has had to take it easy since then. Currently, Jillian is also pregnant with her first child, and has taken a break from running. "But I aim to return to running as soon as my body has recovered, following my pregnancy," she says. But that didn't stop her from doing a "nice and easy" run at the "We RUN DXB" Nike 10km in November 2015, when she was 12 weeks pregnant.
Getting the training right is the trickiest and the most ?important part, she points out. Part of the reason she hurt her foot is because she trained on the treadmill, and when you run on actual hard tracks or the ground, the impact on your feet and legs are much stronger. After she overdid her training in 2013, Jillian suffered a hairline fracture, and then broke her foot while running the Al Ain half marathon.
"I took up marathon running because I wanted that one hobby that belonged to me," says Jillian, who's been physically active most of her life. "It's definitely a great activity, a complete workout. I would also say that after a run, you do tend to have a lot more energy, and that applies to fitness in general. You generate more positive energy than usual."
It goes without saying that the more you train, the better you run. "It's almost like a competition with yourself, week after week, and you get that high or thrill when you get better and better at it," says Jillian. "It's an addictive hobby in that sense, and when you run the actual marathon, there's a lot of energy and atmosphere you get to enjoy, with the spectators around you; marathon running is a community event and you soon feel the urge to go back for more."
Jillian says her family does think she's a bit "crazy", especially when she does the 42km ones in the desert, but they're quite encouraging of the shorter distance runs. "For me, running is more about me, myself and self-motivation."
The lady strongly advises aspiring marathon runners to join the local running groups here - one such is Dubai Road Runners. Training for marathons is best done with their advice and community support. "Especially in a city like Dubai where things can be expensive, running is one enjoyable ?activity you can do at literally no cost."
marypaulose@khaleejtimes.com