Faire du Sport au Maroc

Literal translation: To make sports in the Morocco
Means: Working out/playing sports in Morocco

(Just one more reason I am not  a huge fan of French)

SO, I have had to make some adjustments to my workout routine in the past few months.  At home I would just step outside my door and go for a run around the neighborhood.  This is not advised around here, but thankfully we have a big city park down the road that suits just fine.

It is almost entirely shaded and has a loop that is roughly 2.2 kilometers.  However, there are some sacrifices to be made: dirty looks (even when almost fully covered), unabashed leering, and dirty running shoes.  I didn't realize I was so vain about my running shoes until I ran exclusively in dirt. Anyhow, more Moroccans run/walk than I expected.  The younger men wear shorts and T-shirts as runners do in the states.  But the older gentlemen wear full sweat suits- in the old-school sweat material- no wicking or jeans.  I get hot just looking at them.  The women wear the sweat suits or normal everyday attire, plus their head covering and then a baseball cap perched awkwardly on top.  Many, MANY of them run in casual shoes...like loafers and such.  I don't think it is because they can't afford them, because the poor don't have the time to run around in the park in the middle of the day.  And you should see some of the bizarre stretches/aerobic moves they do.   It is straight out of a 1970s work out video.  I truly wonder where they get these ideas.  If I were braver, I would take pictures for ya'll.

Even in the park you have to be cautious.  There are always stories about attacks, even in this park. And I have to run with music, which makes me even more wary of someone sneaking up on me.  So as I run, my head is in a constant 180 degree rotation to see who is around me.  Kind of uncomfortable, but maybe my neck is becoming more flexible??  And I'm always just a little on edge, even though there are lots of other people at the park.  Truly, if of my friends came up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder they would probably get decked.

I should also mention that I'm not really doing long runs anymore.  Joe and I have been converted to the belief in high intensity intervals and we both have been doing Peak/Sprint 8.  Ya'll, it is HARD.  Every time I feel like my heart is going to explode.  But it's good. In a painful way.

The other change is that I'm lifting weights.  I haven't really lifted since we lived in South Carolina, so that's pretty unacceptable.  Recently, one of our Embassy Marines gave Joe a book called Body by Science.  The basic premise is that you can effectively work out every major muscle group in just 12 minutes a week.  Of course we are quite skeptical, but definitely willing to give it a try with that little of a time commitment!  We are allowed to use the small weight room at the Marine House for free and the Marine that first introduced us to the book is helping me get started!  He is working on his Associates degree to become a personal trainer and fitness is his passion. He is such a huge help and I am already mourning that he leaves post in July.

So there you have it.  Thankful to at least have a park and a weight room and be in a country where people work out.

And now I have to get back to Hulu.  Last week's Grey's is calling my name.  Have a good weekend!