Running Inspired in Rabat

I wasn't going to write today but given the fact that exercise gets the creative juices flowing, I feel a bit compelled to write about the half marathon that I ran this morning.  About a week ago, I saw some billboards and flyers promoting the seventh annual Half-Marathon in Rabat and, given that I'm training up for an Ultra-Marathon in June, I decided to join up and use the experience to help me prepare for the mountains of the Middle Atlas.

A few things jump out at me as I reflect on a week's worth of preparation, running an "organized" event in an Arab country and how to use it to my advantage as I try not to embarrass  myself while running a distance four times as long in a couple months.

First, I like how this thing was put together, which I argue was different than most races in the States.  This one was sneakily incognito.  Having lived in this city for the past couple months, the race organizers were kind enough to me and 1.7 million others not to jam it down our throats until a couple weeks ago.  Until recently, billboards were missing, local news broadcasts didn't exist and "Rabatis" were subsequently able to live their lives unfettered by the guilt of knowing there was a race in their backyards that they wouldn't support.

Also, this thing was free.  Aside from the obvious perk of not having to crack open the checkbook, this allowed the registration to be held at several different locations convenient for people to get to.  As a result, lines at the dozen locations were non-existent or short and bibs were the only items issued after a quick ID or passport check.  My walk to the nearby park yesterday was ten times longer than the 1:33 minutes that it took to register.

The ease of registration makes me remember something one of my old mentor's tried to bestow upon me years ago when I thanked him for his counsel.  In an effort to also teach me to seek out multiple sources, he responded, "This was free, and you get what you pay for!"  Well, running in a free race has its drawbacks!  (Incidentally, his advice - both specified and unspecified - was worth more than the sum paid)

Primarily among them is the fact that the organizers thought it would be ok to start the race when they wanted rather then when they published.  Not a huge deal, but I was the third person to show up a half hour before the advertised start time and some 2 1/2 hours before we actually took off.  On the brighter side of things, the extra time provided us runners the opportunity to catch up, enjoy some festive music and digest some extra fuel. I'd put the number of participants around 700, so it was easy to spot and catch up with a dozen or so acquaintances (westerners with a couple exceptions) whom I ran into.

Along the course, hydration was limited but sufficient.  Bottled water and soaked sponges were dished out at good intervals, but fancy carbo-loaded gel packets and drinks were rightfully missing.  The course was flat and reportedly the "6th-fastest in the world" according to one of my fellow racers.  Combined with the continuously overcast sky, it felt good as I worked toward achieving my two goals: Finish under 2 hours (hey, I haven't run an organized race since August!) and have fun.

Crossing the finish line comfortably below the former, I'm happy to say that I also accomplished the latter.  More importantly, I didn't stop or walk at all, and I obtained a lot of data (kilometer splits) to help set goals for the Ultra in June.  A few secondary goals were also - and maybe more importantly - met: Keep a steady pace, leave some gas in the tank (with the Ultra in mind) and run my own race.

If you've not run in an organized event before, the last goal may need a little explanation.  Bottom line is that it's easy to get too competitive and get lost in the moment when running with others.  If you're not accustomed to running a long race, it's pretty tempting to see a faster racer whom you think you want to run with at the beginning, keep pace with him or her at a faster pace than you intended and then fade too quickly at the end of the race.  This often leads to slower finish times and, in some cases, injuries.  As such, don't try to run at someone else's pace; run at your own.  Having recommended it to one of my acquaintances before the race, it was fresh in my mind and helped me meet my other goals.

But most of all, today was a good official training start for The Cedar Marathon in Ifrane (click here for a video) and my support of wounded veterans through Team Red, White and Blue.  If you'd care to help me, click here: it's money well-spent for a cause truly deserving of it.