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No Bad Runs, Only Lessons

“The Only Bad Run Is the One That Didn’t Happen.” Last week, I signed up for one final 10km race for the year. I was excited to experience a new location in Dubai and a fresh route. There’s always a little extra motivation running somewhere different, and I was genuinely looking forward to seeing another part of the city. Not long after the start of the race though, it became clear to me that things weren’t quite right. I had a feeling early on that we were running too far in one direction, and by the time I reached 5km, it was obvious. Like many others, I turned around and headed back toward the finish line. I learned later on, after the race was complete, that the signs on the course had been removed, and many runners, myself included, kept going in the wrong direction. The race was a huge mental battle. Confusion crept in early, and running while knowing the distance might not add up properly made pacing very challenging. It was disappointing crossing the finish line knowing I didn’...
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Keep Showing Up

“The strongest commitments are the ones you make to yourself.” November was all about fitness in Dubai with the DXB 30x30 Fitness Challenge. Despite my heavy workload, some stressful moments, a bit of illness, which all lead to some very inconsistent training and a dip in motivation and discipline, it became a month where I reminded myself that showing up is everything. I kicked off the month making a return to the Dubai running scene with a 10km race on the 1st, snagging 2nd place in my age group. It felt amazing to be back on the start line, surrounded by the buzz of the running community. Two weeks later, I tackled a 15km race. Leading up to it, I had been under the weather and barely trained, but somehow, I crossed the line and was awarded 1st place in my age group. It was a huge reminder that consistency is great, but determination counts too. I wrapped up the month with a 21km run, earning 4th place in my age group, and while I didn’t hit any personal records, it felt incredible ...
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The smile you earn

“There is no better feeling than making yourself proud.” Someone recently asked me, “What’s something small that always makes you smile?” At first, I had no idea how to answer. But after sitting with the question for a bit, I realized something: the thing that never fails to make me smile is doing something I once thought I couldn’t do. There’s a special kind of joy in surprising yourself; whether it’s traveling alone, surviving a brutal workout, or pulling yourself back up after hitting one of life’s low points. My strength, especially the kind that shows up when things get hard, never stops making me proud. This weekend, my inner strength showed up again. I had a 15 km race on my calendar, and to be honest, the timing wasn’t great. I’d been sick for a few days, hadn’t exercised, struggled with consistent sleep, and had been enduring a stressful workload. Not exactly ideal race prep. Even on race morning, I wasn’t sure if or how my body would hold up; I took some meds, sipped warm tea...
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Back on the Dubai running scene

  “The beauty of running is in its simplicity; just you, your breath, and the road ahead.” After a long hiatus, I finally made my return to the Dubai running race scene! When I first lived here between 2012 and 2017, I took part in many road races and absolutely loved the local running community. Even after moving to Vietnam, I kept the momentum going for a while, completing a few 10km, 21km and even a full marathon, especially in my first year there. But as I got more into CrossFit in 2018, running gradually took a back seat. Since then, I’ve continued to run, but without the same structure, purpose, or goals I once had. That all changed a couple of months ago when I decided to reignite my running spark and even joined a few run club sessions. I’ll be honest; those group runs have really pushed me out of my comfort zone! I’ve always loved a nice, long, slow run, but short and speedy intervals? Not so much. Still, being surrounded by people who share a similar mindset, who challeng...
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Rise up: The power of movement and connection

 “It’s not about escaping your thoughts; it’s about moving through them.” Mental health is something I care very deeply about. Just like many others out there, I’ve experienced some dark moments; times filled with anxiety, stress, spiraling thoughts, self-doubt, and a lack of confidence. And while I still experience ups and downs, I’ve learned that movement, and the people who ‘walk’ beside me, help me rise up, time and time again. Movement, for me, isn’t just about fitness. It’s a way to remind myself of what I’m capable of. When I push through a tough workout or do something I didn’t think I could, it builds more than strength, it builds belief. Every extra rep, round, or kg on the barbell, along with that constant push forward…it all becomes proof that I can do hard things, even when my mind tells me otherwise. In those moments, my thoughts quiet. The noise fades. It’s just effort, breath, and presence, and that’s often all I need to reset. With that, what truly helps to keep me...
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Living Out a Dream

 “Have you ever stopped and thought: “Wow. I prayed for this. It’s here. It’s happening.”? I recently received a message from an  old student from my very first school in Canada. It was a simple note, but it sparked reflection in me about where I’ve come from and everything that’s happened over the last 15–20 years. At my age, I often look around and see many of the people ( my age ) settling down; getting married, having kids, buying homes ( A dream for many, especially women. ). And sometimes, I can’t help but  ask myself: what am I doing with my life? However, that message from my former student reminded me of something I often forget: I’ve already been living a dream. When I left my first teaching job in Canada, it was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I absolutely loved my students, and together we had built a really special bond. But at that time, I had a dream to travel the world; to immerse myself in different cultures and to learn from people whose li...
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Momentum Reset

"Momentum doesn’t just return; you rebuild it, one choice at a time." Before summer began, I was feeling a little low. The tipping point came when I found out my HYROX competition partner’s visa had been denied, meaning we wouldn’t be able to compete at the HYROX World Championships in Chicago. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t the end of the world, but I was still pretty bummed. I thrive when I have a goal, something to work toward, and for nearly two months, I’d been all-in. That training gave me momentum, purpose and energy. When that goal disappeared, so did my drive. Suddenly, my energy shifted in the wrong direction. I slipped into autopilot, stuck in the routine of daily life, work, and thought patterns that were becoming more and more negative. Social media didn’t help. It felt like everyone else was out there doing so much, and I had nothing exciting happening. I would catch myself comparing and as my thoughts spiraled, my body started responding, and not in a good way. Th...
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