The Team National competing in the relay come next weekend will look substantially different from the group I originally signed up to run with.
When I stepped into the breach to join the team I was the fourth member, now none of the three who had originally suggested they would run will even be in the country next Friday.
While those three deserve nothing but eternal shame and ire for agreeing to run without checking they would be in the country first, the most recent pullout has nothing by sympathy.
Jeff, who works on projects such as Super.ae, suffered an injury while trying to run faster than his girlfriend in the Dubai 10K held on marathon day. He described it as "some kind of muscle pull or bruise" in a very confused manner when pulling out.
Luckily we were able to find a replacement, meaning we are four-strong - Ann-Marie, who is a news editor, Kara a photo editor, Nickie, whose role seems to change every time I see her but mostly involves the website, and myself -- for the big day. I have to up my distance to 6K rather than 5K as the most regular runner, but we all seem in good shape.
Jeff did the sensible thing. I would have been tempted to stubbornly run on anyway, but that runs the risk of aggravating the injury. In the past I have suffered from shin splints, a condition that can only be cured through rest. It was agonising not being able to run or play football, but taking a break ensured a full recovery.
If you are due to run in Ras al Khaimah and have any doubts or lingering problems, get them checked out by a professional. If you are not fit you will not enjoy the race and no one wins: come back next year and nail the race.
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