So today, after bemoaning that there is only one treadmill for USG staff here, and that my intake of carbs has increased 10fold, my friend Tiare and I decided to run home from the office. This is estimated to be somewhere 6 kilometers. We sent off, much to the delight of our drivers at about 10 past six. I soon realized that Khartoum, in its own way, has presented me with a triathlon experience.
As most of you know, I enjoy participating in triathlons. I don't "race" them but I do "complete" them. They involved swimming, biking and running--in that order--and in various distances depending on the race.
The Khartoum triathlon experience is something like this:
Event 1: Extreme Focus:
Avoiding or tuning out all of the comments and beeps you get from the novelty of two white women running (and not being chased by a pack of dogs, or anyone else). I successfully completed this way in approximately 10-15 minutes.
Event 2: Traffic Dodging:
To get home we have to cross several smaller streets and two large streets. After practicing our traffic dodging skills on some of the smaller streets, we darted through traffic fairly easily on the larger streets...though as with anything, practice makes perfect and our timing on the second larger street was much better. No one was even close to us! This event was woven throughout the run home much like water breaks in a normal race.
Event 3: Combatofpollutionanddust-ism:
After about 10 minutes we were hot and sweaty. It was after all roughly 105 degrees. But the real problem was sucking in awful exhaust from all of the cars, trucks and tuk-tuks. Then you have the dust--always pervasive but more noticeable when you're sucking in air for all you're worth. About half way through I was really jonesing for some water. By the time we finished, I couldn't even make it to the third floor (where I live) without stopping for water on the first floor.
But the event was completed, and though there was no medal for me at the "finish line" we did got out for Indian food. Yum!!
Even though I'm sore right now, I'll definitely do this again. It's a good way to get rid of the stress of the office--and these days there is definitely stress. And it means that when I get home and collapse on the couch, I don't have to feel guilty about it! Note to self: next time take a small bottle of water and ipod.
Hope your exercise regiment is going better than mine!!!
Love,
Jane
4 comments:
Sounds like your adventure continues .. I'm enjoying your blog entries so keep 'em coming! Has 'My' Bob arrived? Tell him I said hi!
He has arrived!! I'll tell him you say hello and to give you a call!
I read the blog too, jane! BTW, you should be careful about jogging in all that pollution -- maybe wear a mask. I'm sure that won't attract attention AT ALL.
Try jogging in a burka...that would be really comfortable!! :)
Good for you for jogging home though....you go girl!!
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