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9 March 10: Dubai in a Day

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Yesterday Maiki and I had an easy training day, with just a couple little runs, so we decided it was time for a Dubai field trip. We decided that we must see this place since we were just a couple of hours away by car. Here is what we found . . .

Camels, camels everywhere!

Traffic! Lots of it! Bumper-to-bumper craziness–my driving skills were definitely tested.

We stayed in the old section of town, by the port and the Gold Souk (seemingly a million and one little jewelery shops all packed in next to each other in narrow little alleys) . . . It was all quite a sight to behold.

Looking back at our photos, I see that Happy Snapper was… Read More

7 March 10: Two GCMs, One Hotel!

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What’s a girl to do?!

Record the occasion to share here with all the ladies, of course! Actually, I mean, to share with the ladies and guys, some of whom I know will appreciate the GCM scenery just as much!

For my non-triathlon friends, this is Faris Al-Sultan, who won the Hawaii Ironman in 2005 by cycling away from the field. Hence, he was a German Cycling Machine long before mine was . . . He will also be one of the top contenders next weekend in the Abu Dhabi race.

Debating the merits of fur vs. no fur . . .

I know you probably didn’t notice, but that is our hotel pool in the background! It has quickly become one of my favorite training… Read More

6 March 10: Cycling in the Desert

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The GCM came ready to wrench–complete with a new set of allen keys!

First, I wanted to thank all of you for your lovely comments and suggestions about my race and the implications of the new WTC rules. Your support means heaps to me! I also wanted to update those of you who might not have seen the news about this week’s amendment to the rules. Apparently the WTC folks quickly realized that they may soon have a protest on their hands of the very nature that you all were suggesting–as in, a pre-finishline line-up! So the good news is that this week they amended the rules to state that the remainder of the prize purse would be redistributed to those who finished within the time cutoff (which remains… Read More

5 March 10: Update from the Desert

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Thus far our grocery store/mall outing has been one of our biggest adventures. We have an awesome six-lane, 33-meter pool right here at our hotel so we don’t have much reason to venture out. Although I do have a date with the German Pain Train for three hours today, so I will be sure to bring the camera and make the Happy Snapper take some pics!

Anyways, my coconut water mission proved much less involved here.

Seven of these were about $1.50 USD, or less than the price of one back home! This is what I’ll be taking on my ride today.

The other highlight of our supermarket shopping adventure: roasted, salted chickpeas! Our favorite bean in a convenient snack form! We were so excited–might have to see if… Read More