Weight loss and a host of other physical benefits aside, running can also help to ease anxiety and uplift one's mood, as well as impart a sense of accomplishment and confidence, five UAE residents and Asics Frontrunners tell The National.
Here are their stories:
Khulood Ibrahim, social media and influencers specialist, and personal trainer
“Like many women, I’ve always been conscious about body image. I was overweight for most of my life, and was bullied in school and suffered from bulimia. I am still bullied on social media for not having the ‘perfect’ body, whatever that is!
“I’ve been into fitness and sports since I was 13, but the fact is hardly any of us look like the models in magazines. Running has changed the way I look at myself. I used to run for five to 10 minutes before my workout. Then one day I woke up and decided to skip the gym and to go for a longer run, about 30 minutes. I became addicted to the euphoria that running gave me. The mood boost after a run makes me feel unstoppable and ready to take on the day.”
Valerie Fagerholt-Ramadan, boutique manager
“I started running when I was 19, one cold and rainy autumn day in Denmark. An avid horse rider since early childhood, I had stopped riding due to various life circumstances. It wasn’t easy to start running and I struggled to run even one block, but I was determined to keep going as I wanted to lose weight. This was back before all the running gadgets had come into being, and I would simply clutch my heavy Sony Walkman in my hand.
“I started slowly, increasing week after week, until I suddenly I could manage 20 minutes in one go. I was surprised at my progress. A few months later, I signed up for my first 5km race, a charity run for cancer. Before I moved to Dubai, I ran in charity races in my region for breast cancer, Aids and Downs syndrome. Fast-forward to 2001 when I moved to Lebanon, and started long-run races with a 10km, half-marathon and eventually a marathon, all in the spirit of collecting charity funds for Children’s Cancer Centre and Braveheart in Beirut.
“But running hasn’t just been a way for me to help others, it has also been a lifeline for me mentally throughout. The chance to clear my mind with a run has helped me through some major challenges, including when I was leaving an unhappy marriage and my life felt upside down for a while. I know now that no matter what life throws at me, I have a tried-and-tested way to keep myself focused, strong and healthy.”
Jola Chudy, communications consultant
“I’m in my 40s, and fitness was never part of my life. Three years ago I could barely run a kilometre. With a two-decade career as an editor-in-chief, the only running I did was between airport lounges and client meetings. Running proved to be a lifeline when juggling full-time work with a toddler took an increasing toll on my mental well-being. Running was a form of therapy for me, transformative and empowering. I started with an app and then teamed up with local running coach Lee Harris.
“Achieving my first sub-two hour half marathon in 2020 reminded me of a self I’d temporarily misplaced: energised, passionate, focused and tenacious. Running a gruelling 50km desert ultra-marathon in searing heat, I rediscovered the confidence I needed to quit my job and fulfil a long-held dream to start my own communications consultancy.
“Seeing big results from small, achievable steps has been an incredibly powerful lesson for me. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious, I remind myself that almost nothing is as hard as that 49th kilometre running over sand dunes.”
Shaikh Fahad, digital specialist
“I turned to running because it helps me bolster my mental health and my internal thought processes. It clears my mind and enables me to feel a sense of achievement that in turn helps me feel productive. This is especially helpful during those moments of uncertainty that we all experience. I like to say that exercise is an antidepressant, and it's free of cost. Running is meditation in a movement.
“Mental health in men is something that for too long was swept under the carpet. It wasn’t considered socially acceptable for men to open up about their feelings and emotions, but thankfully that is changing. One of the benefits of running in communities is that people connect and open up to each other. During the pandemic, people were confined to their homes, many lost that connection of opening up and communicating their thoughts and feelings, which resulted in bottling up emotions.
“I’ve learnt that when I am overwhelmed with emotions, I can’t always control it just like that. It is important to make sure emotions or negative thoughts don’t consume you, and for me, running – either alone or with friends – is a way to maintain a steady balance between work and life, to make social connections face to face, and to ensure that my mental well-being is being given the same amount of care as my physical fitness.”
Ram Sadhvani, entrepreneur
“I hail from a family involved competitively in sport, so it has been an integral part of my life. I grew up playing and competing locally in badminton, squash, table tennis, basketball, swimming and soccer. At the time, running was only cross training for these sports.
“Since 1996, I have headed my own company specialising in electromechanical design and execution. My work involves loads of driving, phone calls and on-field troubleshooting. At the end of a work day, movement is a must to help calm my nerves.
“Over the years I found running was a better ‘cure’ for combating stress. During a run, I often find answers to issues and am able to reflect on myself, which lightens my mental load. Running also helps me eat and sleep better, and waking up from a good sleep raises my cognitive awareness significantly.
“My runs have become longer and more regular. I appreciate that running doesn't involve much in the way of planning, such as setting up a time, booking a court, driving to a venue or maintenance of gear, running shoes being replaced periodically notwithstanding! This has made it a sustainable and convenient activity. I just put on my shoes and head out the door on my own time.
“The activity's simplicity has added to the positive effects on my mind. It has changed my perspective at home and work. I look at and solve challenges and issues more calmly, and have started responding to problems rather than reacting to them.”
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
UAE players with central contracts
Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.
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Results
Stage 4
1. Dylan Groenewegen (NED) Jumbo-Visma 04:16:13
2. Gaviria (COL) UAE Team Emirates
3. Pascal Ackermann (GER) Bora-Hansgrohe
4. Sam Bennett (IRL) Deceuninck-QuickStep
5. Caleb Ewan (AUS) Lotto Soudal
General Classification:
1. Adam Yates (GBR) Mitchelton-Scott 16:46:15
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 0:01:07
3. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ) Astana Pro Team 0:01:35
4. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ 0:01:40
5. Rafal Majka (POL) Bora-Hansgrohe
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
The biog
Title: General Practitioner with a speciality in cardiology
Previous jobs: Worked in well-known hospitals Jaslok and Breach Candy in Mumbai, India
Education: Medical degree from the Government Medical College in Nagpur
How it all began: opened his first clinic in Ajman in 1993
Family: a 90-year-old mother, wife and two daughters
Remembers a time when medicines from India were purchased per kilo
The Transfiguration
Director: Michael O’Shea
Starring: Eric Ruffin, Chloe Levine
Three stars
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on animal trafficking
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Audi RS5
Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.