Morning Beach Runs

 Morning Runs!

I've been wondering about running in Dar since I found out I was going. Having recommenced giving some Running technique trainings in Utrecht and aiming to run 1000KM in 2021 I was curious to see if I'd be able to keep to my goals and my commitments. The first week went by too quickly. Or rather it seemed quick. This is partly because while locals are jogging (albeit slowly) at all times of day. The only time for someone like me who tends to flounder in humidity to run is in the mornings before the sunrise. You might say, hey! Arent runners always morning people? My answer is no I actually prefer to run after stressful or stagnant periods, as a cleanse, for my body and mind. Running in Dar is to Running in Utrecht what Bikram or hot yoga is to a simple hatha yoga class. SWEAT PUDDLES. Needless to say it took a couple days before I had worked up the motivation to wake up at 6 am and lace up. Meeting Inga a fellow researcher who is in Dar from Norway also helped to motivate. Not having to choose a route to run and following her is one less obstacle to get moving. Its amazing the mental blocks we place in our own way sometimes.

 First run down to the Fish Market along Barack Obama drive.

Leaving the house at 6 am the usually bustling city is quiet but not silent. The chirps of birds fills the air with the occasional crow of a nearby rooster. A couple of people are already on the roads trying to avoid the morning commute traffic on the way to work. A lack of infrastructure can make short commutes (30 minutes) in the city take up to 2 hours. We make our way to the coast. I tried to go the previous week but got lost. We take a left where I had taken a right and make our way to the beach. Incredible how close to the shore the house I am staying in actually is. One moment your in a busy african metropolis the next you are on the Swahili coast looking out over the Indian ocean.

Sleepy Sunrise over the beach

   Halfway point smiles

 

 Sunrise, The Heat starts to build aka 6:30 am 

in this heat 7km feels like 14km even in the morning. Time to head home and get ready for work.

A couple days later I asked Inga to show me another route. This time we headed north to Oysterbay and the neighborhood of Masaki, known for its dense population of expats and consulates. This area looks quite different from most of the city. The coast is equally if not more beautiful with the small coco beach located right in the city.

3km almost half way, the sun starts to peek out from behind a big cloud lighting up the coast with an orange pink tropical hue.

 

 

 Sweaty but smiling we reach coco beach and turn around to finish this run.

A kilometer further the sunrise starts to pop gleaming over the azure waters. We pass an abandoned first aid station. Quite random and ominous. Lucky that nobody needed first aid on this run.

        

 

 

While the pollution in the city freaks me out a little bit for long distance runs or running in peak traffic times. Running in the morning offers a little escape from all the noise and hustle in Dar. It offers spectacular views, I hope to keep enjoying these weekly as my stay continues. I even think its helping me adjust to the heat. While struggling with just existing the previous week. After two runs in the morning heat and humidity my body seems to to be convinced that it should conserve more water.

As I get home I realize my shoes are ripped! NOoOOOooOO all my good intentions, should have checked the first aid station for sutures. I will have to find a shoemaker before the next sunrise run can occur.