Surprise yourself.

I just realized today after visiting my blog that I never wrote about the amazing half-marathon experience.  Life has been a whirlwind since then.  Forgive the delay.  It's been a while, but I remember  May 11, 2013 like it was yesterday.  It is a day I hope to never forget Inshallah.

I had an internal goal to run the race in 2 hours.  This was my secret from day one.  When I hurt my knee though, I felt that accomplishing this was impossible.  I accepted that I was being taught a lesson.  I always believed that with discipline and hard work, an athlete is able to train her body to accomplish what she strives for.  Suddenly being unable to train made me feel that perhaps I had lost sense of who is in control.  All ability comes from Him alone.  I felt that I needed this good reminder, and that it came to me in a beautiful way. I wasn't upset. I knew there would be another chance.

On race day, I was excited and nervous at the same time.  Imane picked me up with her sister.  In the car, I tried to set up the app on my phone that I had been using throughout the training period.  Every five minutes the app would report on how long and how fast I was running. For some 'unexplainable' reason, it refused to load. It had suddenly crashed - and there was no way to fix it. 

So...there I was at the race line with hundreds of other people.  Given that I had no timer, I just told myself to enjoy the experience.  "Run with a smile and heart open".  That's what I told myself.  I put on my favourite playlist and was ready to go.  Once the gun was shot, we all stormed forward. I edged to the front as fast as I could, weaving myself in between the other runners.  When I had reached a pace that I was comfortable at, I noticed that there was a man beside me.  He became my pacemaker for almost half the race - and I'm grateful that he was there to keep the momentum.  I lost him at a water stand somewhere at around the 10K point.  

It was beautiful. The weather was perfect.  Neither hot nor cold.  The scenery was amazing. Lush green trees and no cars in sight.  And, having all those runners around me was refreshing.  I ran and ran and enjoyed every moment.  Every time we came by a water stand, we were greeted with smiling faces and encouraging gestures.  It felt like luxury to be given water.  I would grab the cup, slow down a little, take a few sips, splash some on my face, and throw the cup to the side, knowing that someone was in charge of picking it up.  At one point I splashed a whole cup on my face only to realize that there wasn't water inside - it was Gatorade!!  (*note to self: check contents of cup first next race!*) 

Amazingly, my knee didn't hurt. I was waiting to feel the pain, but Alhamdulillah it didn't come. I didn't push myself either - for me, I just wanted to get to the end eventually.  Time didn't matter.

I had been running for a while, and was surprised to see the sign indicating that there was only 1K left. I wondered how long I had been going for - I had no idea.  The cheers got louder and I knew the finish line was coming up soon.  I could see the big timer but it was too far for me to read.  But then, at perhaps around 100 meters or so...I could actually read it.  I was shocked.  My jaw dropped.  It said 2 hours and 2 minutes.  "Impossible".  That's all I could think.  I  had reserve energy and I sprinted as fast as I could.  I felt like my legs were a mile ahead of my body...and a mile ahead of my mind too.  I had no idea where that burst of energy came from Subhanallah. The cheering onlookers were a huge boost.

Here is a picture of my medal.  

I still can't believe to this day how I was able to run the race at that speed.  And, as I finished I realized that the biggest lessons of all were in the end.  If He wills, it will be.  And truly, nothing is impossible.  We all have untapped inertia within us.  When we forget, or when we give up on it, we miss out on so much.  It was there all along.  Also, when we forget about the competition and run for ourselves...that's probably when the most amazing results emerge. 

Everything happens for a reason.  I feel that everything on the journey happened just the way it was supposed to.  From hurting my knee, to the app not working on race day.  As long as we never lose faith in the fact that the only limits are the ones in our own minds, we are bound to be surprised.  So - do it.  Surprise yourself.

As for those 2 minutes and 41 seconds over my initial 2 hour goal.  Stay tuned Inshallah.  From Him, one day it will be. 

Night before race day.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I've never run this far before. And, I'm coming out of an almost 4-week running hiatus. I have worked closely with a physiotherapist to address the knee pain that I was experiencing. Where I should have been at peak training, I was resting. I have tried to follow every instruction that I got. And now...the race is tomorrow.

It is time.

Bonds with teammates, coaches and training partners are unique. Imane is my running partner.  She inspired the half-marathon idea, and was truly integral in getting me into sports in the first place.  Three and a half years ago, it was Imane who encouraged me to join her on weekly runs along the Rideau Canal...those runs were what sparked my love of fitness.  When I purchased my boxing gear the first time, I sent Imane a picture. I will never forget getting her text message saying that she couldn't stop looking at the picture.  I took so much encouragement from those words. She established boxing programs in the community where I could share my love for the sport with other women.  I am grateful that our paths crossed Alhamduillah.

I know that it will be almost impossible to meet my target time tomorrow.  But alas, we are still almost $17,000 short of our goal for the youth centre. I suppose the training will continue till we raise that $21K Inshallah.  Please do join our team...we need more of you on board.

Praise be to God, the All-Mighty, for giving me this opportunity to participate in a special event. I'm extremely excited, and extremely humbled too. Send your prayers and positive energy our way...Team 21K-4-21K looks forward to letting you know how tomorrow goes!

true champions | mind over matter

We become champions when we rise to the challenge
- regardless of where our physical bodies take us. 

I haven't been able to go for a long run since April 3rd.  A few hours after I had finished my 17km run I realized that I had hurt my left foot. My knee also started to hurt again. Reluctantly, I gave running a break for a week and a half.  Yesterday I thought I was ready. I was pumped! But, one thing led to the next and now I have a blood blister at the bottom of my toe!  

Another. break. required. 

Sporting injuries seem to be popping up all around. A close friend of mine is struggling with her knee too. And, Kobe Bryant has torn his Achilles tendon and will be on the bench for months.  The default reaction for an athlete in these situations is most often frustration.  The frustration expressed by Kobe Bryant in his Facebook status update is undeniable.  

There is a perplexing dichotomy when it comes to our bodies.  On the one hand, the onus is on us to eat well, sleep well, hydrate and exercise well.  Our bodies adapt quickly, and if we give them the right attention, we believe positive changes are guaranteed.  Our actions determine the result.  

On the other hand, when we are injured, our bodies will take their own time to heal.  They decide when it's time to go back to normal - if ever. This state of affairs can be extremely discouraging.  "How can this happen? How can things get worse especially when I am doing everything right?" We feel like we don't know our own bodies - they become foreign to us. We are upset.  We feel helpless.  Confused.  

While sickness might make us realize that we have no control over our bodies, I think it should also remind us how much power we really do possess internally.  An injury can be a huge setback.  It can make us miserable. But, that's only if we let it.  While we may not be able to speed the body's physical path to healing, we can choose to take control over our mindset; to reorient our perspective; and to have faith that there is some Divine wisdom behind the occurrence.  That choice to be positive in a negative situation is ours, and ours alone. It's much easier said than done (trust me I know, I'm struggling with this myself!) but when we get there, I think that is the point we are transformed from ego-driven athletes to mature-humble athletes.  

A true champion is one that rises above negative circumstances and sees the light...they will search for the silver lining even if everything around is dark. A true champion knows their own potential - and knows that their potential is at a plain higher than any limitations imposed by physical ailments.  In fact, we become champions when we rise to the challenge - regardless of where our physical bodies take us. 

"She must be a tomboy".

Tough sports don't make a person hard inside.

The 21K-4-21K team is made up of four girls who in some way or another are involved in sports which some claim are 'violent' or 'combative'...fencing, taekwondo, rugby and boxing. For this post, I'll focus on boxing, but the message applies to women in all sports.

For most of the general population, the idea of boxing might conjure up images of heavy weight champion Muhammed Ali in the rope-a-dope with George Foreman, or Tyson biting off Holyfield's ear! You might think of Rocky with his ever-expanding muscular bulk.  You may think of sweat, heavy bags and two people knocking the day lights out of each other.  That - I argue - is the 'stigma' associated with boxing.  Just as media today has misinformed many of us about so many things, boxing too is pegged with its own misconceptions. Add to the mix boxing for women, and you can almost imagine what some people assume. She must be a tomboy. Definitely masculine. Rough and tough. Stubborn perhaps. Unmarriageable.

It's so easy to think that we know.  We read the news and think we know what is happening half way across the world.  We meet a few people from a particular country and we suddenly know exactly how everyone else in the country thinks.  We take a history class and we can almost recreate the past.

We meet a female in sport, and we are confident we know 'her type'.
Just as each coin has two sides, we cannot claim to know the whole picture when we have only seen one side (let alone the fact that most of that side too is a construction!).  What side of boxing may we fail to see?  Feelings of empowerment and accomplishment? Camaraderie felt amongst coaches and teammates?  Acceptance into a community, even by opponents? Respect shared amongst athletes? Belief in the idea of honouring one's body?  Life lessons learnt through the sport? Confidence? Perseverance? Love?

I wonder if we forget that Muhammad Ali, Tyson and Rocky were all many things outside of the ring, just as a female boxer is so much more than a female boxer. I loved seeing one female boxer caressing her two-year old daughter before she entered the ring to compete.  One lady at the gym shadowboxes like an art, and her love for plants never seizes to amaze me.  We've had female boxers bake the best cookies and bring them to share.  I've met female boxers who dedicate hours upon hours to community service.  I know female boxers who are students, stay at home moms and senior bureaucrats in government.  I know a female boxer who won an award to recite her poetry to Nelson Mandela. The list goes on.

There is so much more to a person than meet's the eye.  I think we all know this...I just hope that for those times that we forget (and many of us do forget) we force ourselves to remember.  All the women in sport that I know well are strong, amazing and beautiful inside and out Mashallah. Tough sports don't make a person hard inside. 

Honour your journey | My 17km epiphany.

Honour your Journey.

This morning I literally ran the hardest run of my life.  I started fast and solid, but by the end, I had my eyes glued on my phone, just waiting to reach my target distance.  I couldn't wait to stop.  Each meter felt like it had expanded.  It was very hard.  The body is extremely resilient however.  Despite the struggle, I loved each moment. Despite the struggle, I'm looking forward to race-day.  And, as I type this now, I don't feel the same fatigue on my body. I only feel calm.  I also feel contentment.

Running has an amazing ability to make you see things clearly.  Today, as I ran, all I could think of was "honour your journey".

I was never physically active while growing up.  In fact, I remember the first day I decided to go to the gym. I was in undergrad - probably around 19 years old. I decided to run the indoor track in Hart House at the University of Toronto. After 7 minutes, I was literally gasping for breath.  While running, I kept questioning how people were able to run for longer.  My heart felt like it would jump out of my chest.  Pushing my body that hard, however, made me feel alive in a way that I had never experienced before.  I was very proud of myself.  That 7 minute run caused me to fix my slouch and walk with my back upright to my class that afternoon. I had accomplished something great, and I knew it.

Today, as I struggled near the end...I remembered that same feeling of accomplishment and my mind kept on repeating, "honour your journey, honour your journey".

I ran for about an hour and 45 minutes this morning.  Sincerely though, I don't feel that my 7 minute accomplishment from almost 10 years ago is any less significant today.  Given my lack of athleticism at that time, that 7 minutes was all my body could do, and because I hadn't done it before, I knew it was something to be proud of.  Today, my 17km accomplishment isn't anything more significant in and of itself because I've had years of practice to build up to where I am now. It's all about the journey, and our abilities should be contextualized. Otherwise, we will do a disservice to our journey.  We will steal praise where praise is due, and we will inflate praise where humbleness is due.

Sometimes when we see an athlete, or hear about someone who goes to the gym regularly, we might be envious and wish we were able to do the same. We might look down upon ourselves because we feel we are less accomplished physically. All I can say though, is honour your journey.  Where you are physically now is as a result of unique life circumstances and decisions overtime.  Assess your progress with only one point of reference: yourself.

Quite frankly, I only started really paying attention to physical activity about 3 years ago.   The body is quick to learn and you get out of it what you put in.  Set yourself a goal, make an internal promise, and work towards it.  That should be all that matters.  If we all had the same starting point, it would make sense to compare our physical accomplishments to those around us.  But we all have different starting points...from past activity, to unique bodies and family history, to our life's struggles - extremely different starting points.   When you decide to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle, it only makes sense to look inside.

Praise be to God for the ability, energy and opportunity to be where I am now in my fitness, and for my amazing morning epiphany.  Let's all remember to look inside, and honour our journey.

Change it Up | Interval sprints!

I've had a few conversations about running/jogging with people recently.  Some say they love it, some say they can't stand it and get very bored, and some say they get tired too fast.  One thing to keep you enjoying what you are doing and to maximize benefit for your body is to change things up a little.  Instead of going for a jog one day, why not try some interval sprints?
This is what you do...first, warm-up for about 5-8 minutes at your regular pace. Then, set an interval timer to beep every 10 seconds.  Sprint for the first 10 seconds, then do a slow jog/walk for the next 10, then sprint, then slow jog, etc.  If you repeat this 10-20 times (depending of your level of fitness), you are bound to feel that you put in a hard workout.
What interval sprints do is keep your heart guessing!  When your heart-rate stays the same - which is something that happens when you run long at the same pace - it is good for endurance.  But, your body can get used to this overtime and any benefit will begin to plateau.   With interval sprints, your heart has to speed up and slow down very quickly in a short span of time. This is amazing for your cardio and the more you do this, the more fit you will begin to feel.  So...instead of a long run at the same rate, why not go for a short interval run instead?  Make sure that for those 10 seconds when you sprint...you REALLY give it your all!

Runner's Tip:  There are tons of applications you can download on your smartphone to help you with interval sprints.  I use IntervalTimer on my iphone.  And, if you prefer to run without carrying something, use lampposts on the street.  Run from one to the next, then slow jog to the following one.  Word has it that this is what Muhammad Ali used to do!

Training with the Furys!

Mombasa with the Furys

I didn't run yesterday but I did go boxing Alhamdulillah! It's been real tough trying to find time to get to the gym while working on my dissertation...so I was excited to be there.  Worked on some hand-pads with the coach and some sparring drills, then did speed punch-outs on the heavy bag and some heavy bag flips! Lot's of fun Alhamdulillah.  As I was finishing off, the Fury cousins, who are in Ottawa for training camp, came in for some INTENSE sparring!  Amazing to watch them.  For all our 21K421K followers, I asked for a picture!  I find the size difference amazing Subhanallah! :D

Limit the excuses.

So it turns out that I didn't end up training at the gym.  I got too caught up with something I was doing at school, and by the time I decided to head to the gym, it was already too close to a meeting I had to attend.  I got home around 10.30pm.  Because I had made a commitment though, I decided I should still try to do something.  Everyone should own a skipping rope, a few dumbbells and I'm sure everyone has a mirror!  Although it was a very half-hearted workout and I didn't even break that much of a sweat, I was able to use my available resources for a few rounds of shadow boxing, some pushups, and did reps of triceps dips on a low lying table that I have (didn't skip because of the knee).  All this to say, limit your excuses when it comes to staying active.  Even if it's 'not a real workout', something is better than nothing. 

Loving the mission.

I love the fact that I am running for a bigger goal Alhamdulillah.  Every time I think of not training although I had intended to, I think of my nieces and how I'm running for a Youth Centre which Inshallah will be of benefit to growing Muslim youth in Canada, just like them.  I'm having some knee pain which I think was exasperated from worn out running shoes, but I hope to find some time today to run a little.  Might actually train in the school gym...haven't used that service in years!