A long day of Hyrox on Saturday. One of the group did open singles in the morning, which we went to support, then HV and I were up for Pro Women’s Doubles, and an evening Women’s Team Relay to top it off.

“Topless in Taipei” had been an ongoing half joking theme since the middle of 2024, so when the race dates were announced with 4 races on the same weekend (Taipei, Sharjah, Cologne, and Warsaw), there was some discussion on which race we would do – Taipei or Sharjah.

In the end we agreed to do Sharjah on the basis that: 1) It was like going to be the best destination for podiuming of qualifying – we thought the fast Asians would go to Taipei, Europeans would stay in Europe, and Dubai is a relatively “young” city, 2) We had a friend / member of the gym group, living in Dubai, and it would be a good opportunity to meet up, and maybe do a relay with her.

In the event, our calculations on the podium / qualification front was badly off – the fast Indonesian pair who had already qualified turned up in Sharjah. And two very fast pairs who had previously raced in the Open category switched to Pro. So it ended up being a very competitive field. Whereas the top pair in Taipei were 1:35:10, a time we could beat while sipping cocktails.

HV had a cold, so wasn’t feeling super fit. I was at least not having breathing problems (as I did in Bilbao), and my hip was feeling better. But I didn’t feel like I was in optimum condition anyway.

We ended up achieving yet another PB, more than a minute faster – we’re lucky we’ve managed a PB every single outing so far. Compared to our last pro doubles, our run time was marginally slower, but we shaved off almost a minute from the stations, and saved 30s in the RoxZone as I drank only once, opting to sip on my gel to lubricate my throat rather than stop for a drink. I felt kind of bad that I didn’t contribute at all to wall balls (or at least much less vs Bilbao, which was already pretty abysmal), but I had seen that the three fast pairs in our category had finished, and my spirit was kind of crushed, so I didn’t feel like pushing on when I was exhausted and also missing the target. Although the judge was probably generous and probably counted my barely-there throws. 

During our post-race meal, I mentioned at some point that my chest was hurting, and HV was like, “That isn’t good, is it?” I responded, “Nah, it’s okay. It’ll go away after a few hours. My chest is always fine when I do singles, but it always hurts after a doubles race. Because I’m running at the edge of my abilities. At least you know I’m doing my best.”

We also tried out the Team Relay format for the first time in Sharjah, doing a Women’s Relay with our gym friend who moved to Dubai and her locally-based gym friend, and fellow Malaysian. I was feeling really unwell before the team relay…. Gassy, and queasy stomach probably from too much gels, too much food post pro doubles race, general period-related gassyness, and nerves. I was also having a low grade, persistent headache, so popped some ibuprofen. 

Even though this was a “for fun” race, I was weirdly nervous, maybe because HV and AP were calculating our possible times, and looking for ways to make up for our gym friend not being a runner, so I felt some pressure to push myself. And in any case, the whole concept of a relay is that you can have a much more aggressive strategy of maxing out your effort at your run and station because you get to rest in between. And then the question is how far can one push oneself, and not blow up in a short segment?

In the end, despite our gym friend not being a runner, we did a credible time of 1:21:04, which would have garnered us a podium spot if we were in the Over 40s category, which we missed by 6 months. In the over 40s category, we would have been #2, where the #1 was a team with the time of 1:18:27, and comprised of two pairs of seasoned Hyrox athletes (the fast Indonesian pair, and the slow Indonesian pair) vs us with a pair of seasoned Hyrox athletes, and two complete newbies. 

I was responsible for sled push and burpees. I ran my fastest 1K in Hyrox ever at 5:04, and the did a decent sled push time of 2:01. It was a too-fast run, and I pushed myself too much in the push, and I actually threw up after the race! My throat was super dry, and I felt the vomit come up my throat, so I grabbed a nearby empty cup and threw up into it. I wonder if ran a bit slower, if I would have been able to push 1:33, which get me rank #1 for the station (vs. #8 for 2:01). After throwing up, I said I would do a slower run before my BBJ station, because BBJ is cardio, so I need to conserve my capacity. So I ran a slower / more comfortable lap at 5:26, and really pushed myself during my burpee broad jumps. I made sure I always had a clear lane for my BBJs (unlike Glasgow where I kept having to switch lanes), and I kept passing so many competitors, it felt somewhat unreal – but I just kept on pushing. I ranked #1 in BBJs for women’s relay at 2:08, more than a minute faster than #2. I didn’t quite realise how fast I was going… although I almost wonder if the time was accurate given my RoxZone time after that was exceptionally long (2:19). I’m sure I paused to catch my breath after my BBJ effort because I felt like I was dying…. But did I pause *that* long? I certainly ran slower after the BBJ station, and remember slightly panicking when I couldn’t see the team member I was meant to tag, because I just wanted it to be over. HV did incredibly well too, with rank #2 for both farmer’s carry (1:23), and wall balls (3:25). HV and the other Malaysian girl ran like the wind to make up time, most of our stations were pretty decent overall, except for the sled pull.

Overall, despite the team relay format being surprisingly stressful, especially with the logistics etc, I really quite enjoyed it. Maybe because I was able to push myself for a short segment, and see how well I can do in a “sprint” format, which was pretty good.

We went out for a drink and some nibbles at 1920 to celebrate. It was a good outing overall that was worth celebrating – Pro Doubles PB, the first Hyrox for two of the girls, and a good Team Relay time. And we even met Jade Skillen, a UK Elite 15 athlete who represents short women everywhere. She’s even more petite than me, and of course truly understands the challenges of being small in a race which largely favours height. She says she trains her ski consistently and regularly, and has to be really careful to hold back on the ski, because just going 10 seconds faster on the ski can ruin the entire race for her. I feel vindicated that I always pace my ski, and feel less bad that I was third into the ski station at Glasgow, and among the last (last 3-4) out.

The next day, we had brunch at Tamoka Dubai at Ritz Carlton, and overlooking the beach, which was very filling, and fun. I liked the music and fun vibe. 

HV mentioned that one of our group has been ill for a very long time, which is weird. One of my theories, which I didn’t mention, was he might be feeling sad / crushed. I suspect that he may like her, and maybe finally discovered during the Vegas trip that she is with someone / she is not available? But I didn’t want to risk disrupting the current peace, so I didn’t say anything. After all, people like who they like, and the heart wants what the heart wants, in a way that isn’t always rational, or can’t entirely be helped. I can certainly understand that. And it is none of my business. I do think that a persistent period of illness is indicative of lower immunity, which is often not just physical, but likely also mental or emotional. So I advised him to try yoga and meditation – to no effect. After all, sadness and stress famously weakens the immune system. That, or he could have a more serious underlying issue which is compromising his immune system, which is obviously not what I would wish for him. Anyway, I’m not his mother, wife, or daughter. Not even his race partner anymore. So what does it matter to me.

At some point, I had some time to chat to my fellow Malaysian alone, and asked her what dating in Dubai is like. She said, “The men are very flakey”. I chuckled and commented, “I don’t think it’s a Dubai-specific problem. I think men are flakey the world over”, although I guess I meant more in big cities. I listened to some of her experiences, and even though her style and mine seem quite different – she’s definitely more social, outgoing, and polished, and seems less like she is looking for a “serious” relationship – we definitely have some similarities, e.g. some similar preferences, and philosophy. It’s funny how similar underlying traits, beliefs and / or values can be expressed in such different ways, possibly through the prism of our differing personalities, and result in such seemingly different experiences with men (in dating / relationships / love). Albeit she is much younger than me, lives in a different city (although we are from adjacent neighbourhoods in Malaysia – small world!), and has much different life circumstances. She seems to have experienced a run of bad luck in love recently – I feel for her. I hope she meets someone on her wavelength, who sees beyond her surface sophisticated breeziness to the person underneath, and cherishes that. She’s a lovely girly, and deserves to meet and be with someone who is right for her.

We had drinks and nibbles at our gym friend’s flat in Dubai before heading off to the airport.