Keep on Running

0
1347

How and why did you first get involved in sport?
As a child I spent most of my free time with my dad while he was working with the tennis federation to build the courts and stands. I was overwhelmed and fascinated by tennis back then and he supported that interest by buying me my first tennis racket for my 12th birthday. Before investing my time in tennis, I used to play football in the neighbourhood and my dad used to organise small tournaments and bought cups to encourage all the kids. In 2012, two years after the birth of my daughter, I switched sports to triathlon as it was very hard to organise tennis matches and I needed to workout to help with my postpartum depression that lasted a long time. And, just like that, triathlon did its magic and helped me overcome my postpartum depression.

How have you maintained your interest over the years – fitting in time for training around a demanding job (as a marketing specialist at Zain) and the other things daily life throws at us?
Passion is the answer. My passion for triathlon taught me to be a more organised person and ready for the ups and downs of life. Triathlon changes you in ways you cannot imagine. You become more resilient, dedicated and organised. I won’t say it is easy. There are bad days, but when you set your eyes on the ultimate goal, you learn to pick yourself up and move on, tick off another training session and reap the rewards of the hard work.

I understand you are involved with all Zain’s race teams – what is your favourite to participate in?
The best feeling in the world is to belong to a team that supports your vision and goals. I represent Zain’s racing team in running and triathlon which involves swim, bike and run.

You are the first Bahraini woman in your age group (35 to 39) to qualify for the London and Boston marathons, will you be taking up both places and how will you train?
Yes I am the first Bahraini woman age grouper to ever qualify for Boston and London, regardless of age, and I decided to do Boston. It is a great honour to qualify for one of the most famous and prestigious marathons in the world. Marathon training requires a minimum of three months and ideally six months. However, due to my base training done previously for the Bahrain Ironman 70.3, all I need is three months to prepare for Boston.

o you feel the discipline of training for, what some would consider, extreme challenges helps you in other areas of your life and, if yes, how?
Of course it does. Like I mentioned previously, training for endurance sports teaches you discipline especially that you cannot reap the rewards immediately. It is a long process of ups and downs that requires patience and belief. It does not only affect me as a person but my kids too. I can see that it has taught them to want to excel and be active in different sports keeping them away from the iPAD life.

Do you have any plans to take on other sports?
At the moment no. I am pretty much enjoying what I do.

What would be your message for other women, both younger and in your age group, who want to take up distance running and competition?
It is never too late to start. I started at the age of 33 and have achieved so much; it made me grow as a person and mother.