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Published: April 10th 2020
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This is a challenging time for everyone. But nothing is as challenging as being trapped in another country...literally. I was planning to fly home for a week at the end of March. I was so convinced I would be there that I extended by a week so I could run the 6X Dunkin' Donut Half Marathon which was finally scheduled for the beginning of April after being talked about for a number of years. As the month of March rolled on I was still convinced I was going. Jen didn't want me to go...she even canceled her own trip, but I was insistent. It took a text from my sister and mother saying they would prefer if I didn't come. So I gave in and canceled my trip.
Seeing what was going on in the US, it's wasn't a bad idea to stay put. I was still in Dubai...able to run and walk the dog. Running was banned at first but then I received clarification from the Dubai Police that gave me permission to run solo...life was good. That was until Dubai went on a 24 hour lockdown. No one can go outside unless receiving permission to do so. If
you were given permission, you had to wear a mask. However, no running and no walking the dog (which is totally insane if you live in an apartment). There is a website where you enter your request with options of: Grocery/Pharmacy, Medical, or Emergency. The first day I entered a request to walk the dog and it was granted...Yes!! Well, apparently that was an error and the next day my request was denied. No walking the dog or there is a possibility of being fined AED2000-3000 (US$544-$816). I didn't have a choice but to walk the dog and roll the dice.
Keeping enough alcohol in the house for Jennifer to stay sane (not that she drinks that much but certain times call for certain measures) is also a bit of a challenge. When things were "normal", we would drive to another emirates up north where there is a large liquor store that has anything you could imagine and bring it back to Dubai. Now that we can't do that, we need to buy liquor here. In Dubai, you need a liquor license to buy alcohol. They have made it easier by allowing you to apply online for the license...as
well, I don't need to give Jennifer permission to buy alcohol at the moment so she can easily apply. And, of course, in Dubai you can have the alcohol delivered...so we still have options...you just need to plan ahead as there can be a wait to get your order.
Runs have pretty much come to a halt. The running group I joined now has a virtual coffee meet up on Fridays after what used to be our long run. Before the lockdown I tried to get a treadmill delivered but the building was only allowing deliveries that were an "emergency"...HELLO! ... this is an emergency. I then changed my requested and asked to have "medical equipment required for rehabilitation" delivered and was given approval. But now there is a total lockdown and I can't get it delivered so I lose again. At some point I need to get the running shoes back on since I am supposed to be running the London Marathon which was moved from April to October. Now that sounds like it will be in jeopardy to be canceled. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I was able to get a flight voucher from my canceled flight.
The plan at the moment is the fly to the US in July and stay through mid September so I can train for London. There is no way I can do it in the heat of Dubai and I refused to marathon train on a treadmill for the sake of my sanity so it will be 8 weeks of the Howard County Striders Next Step Half/Full program. Everything is on hold at the moment; however, at least until the planes are flying again as there are basically no flights in or out of Dubai at the moment.
So for the time being, we are stuck indoors but able to get fresh air by going onto the balcony. Word is that I can walk the dog now but it has to be close to the building and can be for only 10 minutes (I don't know who times that). At least that takes away some of the stress of getting fined. And we continue to try to make the best out of challenging conditions.
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