Cross Island Race Recap!
| December 18, 2011 | Posted by Nada under Fitness, Running |
So about a week before I was due to fly home, a friend told me about a cross island 17K desert race that was happening the morning after my flight. She’s a Bath Half alum herself and thought I might be interested since she knows I’ve been training.
At first I wasn’t sure about it – did I really want to run my first ever race the morning after the grueling journey home (3.5 hour drive to the airport + 6.5 hour flight)? I figured I’d sign up anyways, then see how I felt on the day.
Now, rewind to Wednesday. The day before travelling is always hectic, but due to unforeseen circumstances I didn’t get packing till very late and only got about 3 hours sleep. I was exhausted by the time my flight departed but still only got about an hour’s sleep at best. And yet, as soon as I landed I was sure I wanted to run the race. My mom picked me up from the airport and we went straight to dinner as per our tradition, where I did some serious carbo-loading.
Pre-race jitters got the best of me so I didn’t get much sleep despite my exhuastion – but still, I woke up feeling determined. So here’s a full re-cap of my very first race!
What I ate
Dinner the night before consisted of a ginormous avocado salad, hummus, and two baked potatoes with baked beans and steamed vegetables. Funnily enough, I woke up at the crack of dawn starving (and nervous).
Breakfast was a bowl of PB and banana oats topped with walnuts, granola and agave syrup.
Followed closely by a a strawberry and banana green smoothie.
I was pretty worried about fueling up properly so I made sure to keep eating regularly up until the race. I had an un-pictured peanut butter and mashed banana sandwich on wholewheat toast before we left to get to the meeting point and a cocoa nakd bar on the car ride over. I also munched on some raisins and almonds about an hour before the race was due to start, and against my better judgement, drank a lot of water.
The race
I picked up my number and t-shirt then went to change.
I then got talking to some of the Bahrain Road Runners, who had organised the race. They were all so unbelievably friendly and welcoming, and put me at ease instantly. One of the trainers even introduced me to a few girls who he though would be around my pace that I should look out for during the run, which made me feel a little better as I thought I was way out of my league by the look of some of the older runners there.
(Please excuse the squinty face. Sun in my face + no make up etc.)
We then boarded buses which would take us to the start point, on the other side of island.
The bus ride was about 40 minutes long but I passed the time by chatting with a few of the team’s long-time members who shared stories and advice about the trail. My nerves were getting worse but talking to them definitely helped.
Once we got to the starting point a good 20 of the runners sprinted into the distance and proceeded to relieve themselves, which was both hilarious and painful to watch as I realised I desperately needed to pee. Being female however, there wasn’t much I could do about it at that point. I did a quick warm up, stretched, and before I knew it we were off.
So how did it go?
The first 20 minutes were HORRIBLE.
First of all I have no idea what I was expecting with the terrain- but running in the desert is not easy. If you’ve ever tried running on a sandy beach, that’s pretty much what it was like. Add in a few weeds and a lot of stones and that’s what I was dealing with. That combined with the anxiety that I wasn’t running fast enough and the fact that my left headphone kept falling off my ear filled me with a feeling of dread that I wouldn’t even last 5K.
But eventually, it got better. I managed to stop psyching myself out and convinced myself that it really wouldn’t be the end of the world if I came last. I got into a good rhythm, my headphones magically stayed put and actually started to enjoy myself.
After about 7K or so, the terrain drastically improved, and we even got to run on road for a while.
I’m happy to say I ran the entire race, and only stopped twice to get water. I also learned that downing an entire bottle in less than a minute is probably not the best idea but kept going despite the overwhelming feeling that I was going to be sick.
My mom snapped a less than attractive picture using her phone.
I finished the whole thing in 1 hour and 48 minutes, which I’m happy with. The winner (who I believe is an olympic runner for the Bahrain national team) finished in 53 minutes, and the last person finished in 2:30.
Even though food was the last thing that sounded good I refueled with water, some fruit and a little later, some of these:
There also served dates and gahwa (arabic coffee), I forwent the coffee but had some dates. Once we got home I passed out for a good 30 minutes, then had some green juice which worked wonders. Dinner was some ful mudammas with some ezekiel bread.
***
Overall, it was a great first race and I’m so glad I took part. I definitely wasn’t expecting the terrain to be so challenging (needless to say my feet were thoroughly wrecked by the end of it) but I’m proud of myself for pushing through and running the entire thing.
I have to say the event was so well organised, and I genuinely can’t get over just how friendly and helpful the other runners were. Everyone I met was great and we were joking around like old friends by the day’s end. This definitely won’t be my last Bahrain Road Runners event.
I also got a t-shirt that says “I ran across Bahrain”, which, I think is pretty cool.
I’m still pretty sore, so I’ll be spending the next few days recuperating before I take to the streets again, plus I’ve been told you’re supposed to rest for every mile you run after a race anyways.
Fellow runners – what was your first race experience like?
Any good recovery tips?
Sounds like such an amazing race! Congratulations!!!
Thanks!
Wow this race sounds amazing: Way to go, Nada! it wasn’t the most ideal race in terms of weather and surface but you nailed it
! As you’re recovering, try yoga or swimming…it’ll help loosen your legs!
That is fantastic! I didnt realize your hometown was Bahrain. Now you can say you have conquered the entire thing
Well, at least crosswise I can
Well done Nada, that race looks incredible! My first race was the Great North Run! It was brilliant but it was more getting my head around all the race organisation. I wish they have served dates at the end of it though like your race! Recovery for me is always a gigantic green smoothie with lots of nut butter!
Thanks Laura!
That race sounds awesome! And lots of pretty scenery to look at – I have to have that to distract myself from the fact that I’m running.
How unusual they had post-race chickpeas – I wish they would do that in the States!
For recovery I like to move a little to workout soreness – something low-impact like a stationary bike – and lots of green smoothies with protein and banana for soreness.
The scenery definitely helped – at one point we ran through camping grounds and people came out to watch which was nice.
I dream of the day that I can finish a race and buy chickpeas as a post-race snack
Congratulations on the race– that terrain looks incredible!
great job on finishing! That is such a big accomplishment. I have been several smaller races, mostly 5ks and that is plenty for me for now, haha. It’s fun to have an event to “train for” and be apart of something cool like that. I’ve been wanting to do another one…maybe after Winter!
Thanks! It’s definitely great to have something to work towards and I’m feeling a lot less apprehensive about my half in March now.
…chickpeas as post race snacks
…desert terrain racing
your blog is not only a vegan treasure chest, but also offers such a unique cultural perspective. Just wanted to say I love reading it! keep it up girl!
Maddie – thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad you enjoy reading it as much as I do writing.
Wow, which means I narrowly missed seeing you at the race. This was on the 9th I think.
Awesome of you to finish this race. Mighty proud *pat pat*
Thanks Anita! The race was actually last Friday on the 16th – perhaps you’re thinking of another BRR event?
Wow, well done – that’s incredible. I could barely manage running round the block without keeling over… I’m so impressed. Even more impressed that you ate chickpeas afterwards, that’s awesome
Amazing! Congratulations!! x
I adore that you refueled with chickpeas.
They were definitely the highlight of the day – and I got a 20 minute massage so that’s saying something!
That is awesome – not many people have run a race that hardcore for their first, certainly not me!! Congratulations!! =)
Thanks Heather!
That really does look like a challenging race – great job! I also love that you fueled up with nutritious and delicious eats. A lot of people ignore/skip this part of race day preparation.
Wow, 17K for your first race? Way to go! And I can’t believe they had dates at the end, we always get crappy chips, bagels, and bars! Congratulations, I’m glad it went well!
Thanks! And that said, they also attempted to hand out mini mars bars at one of the check points – you win some, you lose some.
[...] Post race mani-pedis with the mama [...]
What a race! I’ve done a fell race before but I could never run through the desert – I wilt in the heat and wouldn’t make it 5K, let alone the full distance. Amazing
xxx
[...] I got a chance to put all my training to good use when I took part in the grueling 17K cross Island race in Bahrain. I’m glad to say that since I committed to running the half, I’ve kept up running [...]
[...] on grass is not as easy as I thought. Granted, it’s nowhere near as hard as running on sand – but it’s no walk in the park (pun!). Ended up doing 4.7 miles rather than 3 – it was [...]