There are a variety of ways to keep fit in the Emirates and a plethora of unique events held here throughout the year.
Yas Marina Circuit’s TrainYas offers people of all abilities to walk, run or cycle around its iconic Formula One track on a weekly basis. The Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, meanwhile, has been held since 2000, with plenty of expats taking up the challenge, while the less grueling 10K road race is also entered by plenty of keen local runners.
If you’re aiming to make a step-up in your training or are targeting a more serious challenge like a marathon, however, look no further than Dubai’s I LOVE RUNNING club and their running and fitness coach, Natalia Sedykh.
The 28-year-old Russian impressively won the Marathon Des Sables this year, an event renowned for being the toughest foot race on earth. She also competed in the Golden Ring Ultra-Trail 100 in her homeland last year, as well as the Siberian Ice Half Marathon in Omsk, Russia, which was run in biting -25°C temperatures.
Although completing a 5K race for many of us would be a massive achievement, Sedykh insists most people simply don’t realise what they’re capable of.
“I only ran my first half-marathon, first marathon and first ultra marathon in 2015,” said Sedykh.
“I didn’t think that I had a talent for running or endurance races, but at some point I developed these abilities.
The main thing is to not be lazy. Believe me, there is no special, wonderful exercise or equipment to succeed. If you study success stories of various great athletes they all are different. What joins them all is a clear vision of what that person is up for, setting goals and hard work. Success lies inside each of us, you just have to realise it and decide whether you are up for it.”
There’s no doubting that Sedykh’s recent achievements are something special. The Marathon Des Sables is an ultramarathon run over a course of 254km over six days each year in one of the most inhospitable environments on earth – the Sahara Desert. Rules require you to be self-sufficient, carrying with you on your back everything you need to survive, except water.
Sedykh has also been busy during her time in the UAE, taking part in the M1 Run, a vertical race held in the Media One Hotel, as well as the Vertical Run Almas Tower, encompassing 64 floors, 280 metres – and 1,600 steps – both held in Dubai.
“The Marathon Des Sables was certainly not easy, but I just performed at my current level and did my best,” added Sedykh.
“I have knowledge about running preparation and worked diligently. I trained myself more than a usual runner, but not like a professional athlete.
“I also did the vertical runs in Dubai before the MDS. Uphill running has always been my weak point but taking part in these races allowed me to work on my uphill running skills.”
She’s only been in the UAE a few months, but Sedykh has already left quite the footprint on I LOVE RUNNING, the international running school operating in 33 cities worldwide. She is the school’s certified group and personal fitness trainer, covering all bases from running, strength and conditioning, nutrition and even children’s fitness.
More than 7,000 students from complete beginners to professional athletes have graduated from the school.
There are strict protocols runners have to adhere to in the run up to competitions, including a minimum period of training, for example seven weeks to get ready to run 10K and six-eight months for a marathon.
There are even exam-like requirements, such as finishing the final race at the end of training programme or hitting a certain time for more advanced athletes.
“Despite only a short period of being with the school in Dubai, Natalia’s athletic and coaching skills have allowed our school to quickly implement professional educational content for the benefit of our students,” said Kateryna Zakhazhay, an I LOVE RUNNING member.
As for Sedykh, despite her own personal goals and feats, her main concern is attracting more runners to the club. She hopes that some of her students will go on to replicate her feats.
“You can come to our school and we’ll be happy to help you to achieve your goals,” she added.
“People can come to our training sessions, either group or personal, and we will make sure to find the shortest path to success. We prepare athletes of all levels for their races working on running technique, strength, balance and coordination, endurance and other things.
“Everyone has his or her own unique body and mind. If someone’s willing to work hard we will offer valid and practical advice.
“My general recommendation would be to train smart, preferably with a good coach, work hard, have a positive attitude and believe in your potential.”
I LOVE RUNNING Dubai’s new group training programme started last month. For more information, visit their Facebook page or contact 050 152 0262.