How to run your first 10k

Make travel plans the night before; and definitely do NOT call ahead for a taxi. Clearly; the best strategy is to wander the streets in the dark for 5 minutes and split a cab with a stranger also heading to the marathon. At this point, BBM your bestie that you're now on your way to his/her house with your new-found friend at 6am. Be prepared for a text like "Sharon, we live in the UAE, don't do stuff like this". Noted.

Thank God for kind strangers from St.Catherine's, Ontario, Canada (it's such a small world)! Brian, if you're reading this, thanks for the awesome morning ride and motivation!! I couldn't have picked a better person to split a cab with. xo

Also remember to sneak in a pee at a random building to avoid the 15 minute line-ups at the venue. Be aware; the only way to do this is by convincing the security guard that you would be eternally grateful and indebted to him for such an exclusive opportunity. (I should be putting these skills toward my job search)

oh, and then you run a glorious 10kms =)

To sum it up... I would do it again. and again and again, AND I would do it harder faster stronger longer.
I definitely did not do my personal best. But, I made decent time and ran with people who gave me amazing motivation and kept me smiling through every kilometer.

Also a HUGE congrats to everyone who ran the full marathon and all my fit tweeps in Dubai. You guys are inspirational!! @bettyboodubai @bubblesdxb @missusmarshall @lovesredshoe @laida_vicente @katyvallance @donohof + all supporters.

How to shack up

I realized something today; really fit people are not in the gyms. They are the men and women out on the roads and beaches and shacks of Dubai at 5.30am, getting dirty and sweaty before their day starts. So take note all you "5-star" waste of space gyms with towel service. Get your hands dirty! That's where the true reward lies. Especially with the growing crossfit craze in Dubai,  small personal spaces like the shack have amazing potential. Providing a sense of community and friendly attention, The Shack seems like a cool place to call your own.

After reading an amazing review of "The Shack" on Time Out Dubai (yes, I get almost all my Dubai info from here), I did the morning circuit with Bruce on Kite Beach, Umm Sequim.

6.30am. - first session begins. and I am SO late and lost.. what else is new? brr its cold at 19deg.celsius. but I start strong!
...8.00am - My arms are trembling and theres lots of sweat as I push hard to get through the last minute of pull ups (assisted, I'm not that cool yet)

As I stretched, I tried to remember what happened in between. Squats, lunges, pullups, pushups, rowing, spinning, intervals, everything. That was such a fun work out! And btw, the place is quite literally a shack. Can't wait to get dirty again. Oh almost forgot, it's only 35 bucks per session!! Check 'em out on facebook here.

photo courtesy of Goal Attained.

On that note, T minus 9 days to my first 10k !!

xoxo

How to be thrifty.

If you have time to kill, but no money to burn (and you desperately need ur hair done). I have a solution for you Dubai people!

After reading about it in Time Out Dubai, I spent all of yesterday afternoon at the Formul'a academy for hair and beauty at Dubai Knowledge Village. I mean, I was literally there from 2.30 to 5.30 to get a wash, cut and blowdry. A student stylist works on your hair, while under constant supervision of trainers and other junior stylists. It feels like your a hair model. And it's awesome! The students are friendly and really open to listening and that's really important. I feel like the more experienced hair dressers lose their listening skills sometimes.. (See: How to get your hair did)

Anyways, my hair was getting super long and all I needed was a trim. I got detailed styling and blow dry for FREE. Check out their prices here!

BEFORE

AFTER

How to make plans.

You just don't.

Honestly, 2011 had very few goals. Specifically to pass my CPA exams and to figure out what I want to do with my life. Do I wanna stay in Dubai? Do I wanna go back to Canada? Do I wanna move to Madagascar? Timbuktu? Where will I get a good job, etc. effing etcetera.

I passed my CPA exams. But good Lord, I am in a full blown Quarter Life Crisis now. And it sucks sometimes, but I'm just glad I'm not alone in my QLC. Thanks to @leannemark and almost every other 20 something girl i know. I'm loving the constant reminders to live in "the now", smile, take the opportunity to just live and love.

So for 2012, I just wanna resist the urge to run away and do yoga all day on some caribbean island. I want to embrace whatever comes my way and hope that by the end of the year, things are a little less blurry.

Until then boys and girls. Take this video in :) xoxo

How to ring in 2012.

ABSOLUTELY NO detailed planning followed by

traffic followed by a 

solid 2k run, thereby

complete waste of hair and make-up

<#COLDPLAY, #COUNTDOWN, #FIREWORKS>

found some amazing ears, became a celebrity.