www.womanthismonth.com 31 August 2013 WTM: Not many Bahraini girls would pick up the sort of hobbies that you have. What drives you to take up these challenges? DZ: Honestly speaking, I’ve always been interested in broadening my sports spectrum. I go scuba diving in the summer and for skiing in the winter. I started riding only a few years ago. I don’t know whether it’s because I get bored of going to restaurants or seeing the same people over and over again. Moreover, if a challenge is presented to me, I like to go ahead and prove myself. My friends goaded me into running my first event, which was a biathlon in Bahrain. It comprised a 300-metre swim and a threekilometre run, where I was awarded the first prize. That’s how it all started. My friends then started pushing me to run longer distances and participate in bigger events. WTM: What other events have you competed in so far? DZ: I did the Bahrain Grand Prix run, where I was awarded second place in my age category. Then I did a 17.5-kilometre afternoon run across the island. Next, I ran the Seef Half Marathon, a 21.1kilometre race. Last year, I competed in my first full marathon in Dubai, which was a distance of 42.2kilometres that I completed in four hours and 35 minutes. I also ran a half marathon in Germany in 2012, which was really fun. It was literally a run up and down a mountain. WTM: What sort of training do you undertake before an event? DZ: I start training by 4am so that I can finish before it gets really hot outdoors. My regime starts with short sprints, following which I do the long distance training. It’s a ‘four times a week’ programme, which comes down to three times a week before the event. Otherwise, I do a lot of high-intensive interval training round the year to get the heart rate up in addition to weight training for tightening up the muscles. I always carry my timer and workout chart in my bag! WTM: How does your family take to your pastimes? DZ: For starters, my husband and his family have been great. They’ve been very understanding, even when I’ve passed out in the middle of a family dinner or party due to sheer exhaustion! My father was initially apprehensive that I was taxing my body too much and hurting my knees. But now, my family are my strongest supporters. I couldn’t have done all this without their backing. WTM: What has been your toughest challenge so far? DZ: It was the Dubai Marathon last November. The training was so tough on my body that I couldn’t walk straight or at all after the race was over! After Dubai, the 70.3-mile Half Ironman competition in Majorca seemed easy by comparison. I finished it in seven hours and two minutes – an hour less than I had anticipated. WTM: What sort of infrastructure is there for runners in Bahrain? DZ: I wish there were more jogging tracks on the island. There’s always a risk of stumbling or spraining your ankle on uneven pavements. But groups like the Bahrain Roadrunners provide a great support system, where likeminded people can train together. I formed some of my closest friendships with runners I met here. Also, I was lucky to be sponsored by the Shaikh Nasser Foundation for my Half Ironman at Majorca in May. WTM: What would you like to accomplish in the near future? DZ: Well, having completed the Half Ironman, the next logical step would be to go for the full version, which is a 140.6 mile event. It is a swimming, biking and running event that presents the ultimate test of body, mind and spirit. I’m aiming for the Ironman competition in Nice, which takes place in June. Of course, I will have to find sponsorship to be able to participate in this event. WTM: Do you have a role model? DZ: My role model is Michele Ajaji, a motherof-five who still competes in races and beats girls half her age. She is an amazing mother, wife, cook and human being. I really hope to be like her in the future. g
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