Half marathon preparation: Preface

Signing up for Burj2Burj marks the beginning of my next challenge. Following a friend’s wedding week in Tbilisi, I returned to Dubai determined to commit fully to marathon training. That has meant heading out at 4 a.m. to run through Business Bay and along Jumeirah Beach before the city wakes—even with temperatures exceeding 35°C.

The commitment extends beyond running. I have been improving my cooking, tracking my macros and following upper- and lower-body gym splits throughout the week. Each part of the routine supports the same goal: developing the strength, endurance and discipline needed to complete the marathon.

Returning to work will inevitably test this structure. My plan is to maintain four 4 a.m. gym sessions each week, with three days of focused cardio placed between them. The real challenge will not simply be completing the training, but building a routine that remains sustainable alongside the demands of a new academic year.