Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

This may seem like a strange question, but how many months of the year can you run outside in places like Dharan (near Bahrein)? I know that June to September would be out, and I checked average temps. for that time of year and they look very high (around 40 degrees centigrade/100 + fahrenheit).

Riyadh has a cooler climate, overall, but if I get a job in Saudi, it will be in Dharan - which is much more humid, unlike Riyadh which is much drier.

So, realistically, those who are dedicated runners/joggers (as I am) - how many months of the year can you run for? I am thinking - maybe from October to May might be possible. Are the gyms well equipped for cross training? Are there any jogging clubs or hashes in Dharan? Anywhere to run which is away from the hectic traffic?

Thanks for any feedback.

Ghost in Korea

[Neil McBeath]

If you are a truly dedicated runner, then a liuttle thing like 40 degree temperature shouldn't put you off. You just run a shorter distance than you would in the winter.

October to May is perfectly possible in Dhahran, but under no circumstances should you try to run on public roads. The security situation in Saudi Arabia is still extremely tense. A western man, out running, would be the perfect target of opportunity. You would be setting yourself up as a target. If anything happened, you would only have yourself to blame.

Inside company compounds, you can run to your heart's content. There is a winter series of races that are arranged within the Aramco compound, and these are taken very seriously indeed by some of the competitors.

I tried running at the BAE Aziziya Compound, but I was too used to the open roads of Oman, and I felt boxed in. I ended up feeling like a white mouse on an exercise wheel, and I kept losing count of how many times I had gone round the football pitch.

It is also perfectly possible to use gyms, but I have no personal experience of that. I don't run indoors. I run so that I can look at the scenery.

[trapezius]

[007]

[ghost]

Neil - just curious. Does that mean that running on the open roads is feasible in Oman? No danger there, from extremists who might like to take the opportunity to cause some harm, or is that very rare in Oman?

Also you mention running in 40 degrees centigrade - I think that would not be good for the body. I think the top temp. I have run in was around 35 degrees in Jordan, and it was hard to replace fluid at that temp.

I am an experienced marathon runner, with best times of 32:22 (10km) and 2:30 (marathon).

Thank you.

Ghost in Korea

[veiledsentiments]

[Cleopatra]

[ghost]

Oman sounds like a nice/relaxed place for the region.

I am currently applying to a Saudi University, and if accepted, will try to visit Oman during breaks. How easy/difficult would it be to go from Dharan (near Al Khubar) to Masqat (Oman) overland?, going through Qatar and UAE? Too ambitious?

Is it possible to take buses to connect the following cities - Al Khubar (Saudi) to Doha (Qatar) - Al Ayn (UAE) - Musqat (Oman).

Looking at a map, I would estimate the distance between Al Khubar (Saudi) to Masqat (Oman) to be around 800km, and perhaps 12 hours of travel would be feasible. When in Turkey I often travelled such distances on weekends, using overnight buses. Does the same system operate in those countries (Saudi, Qatar, UAE and Oman)? Do they have interconnecting buses between the countries?

Ghost in Korea

[windstar]

assuming you hold a british, canadian or us passport, it is not a problem to cross uae border and enter oman, yet, it will cost you 6 omani rials (@2.60).

[Stephen Jones]

If you run in Saudi you will be a target for extreme motorists.

Mr. McBeath is suffering from Compounditis, a severe malfunction of the organs used to perceive reality, common amongst expats in Saudi who don't limit their consumption of gossip.

If you jog on the KFUPM campus you will have the consolation of knowing you will be run over by a superior class of Saudi.

[Neil McBeath]

Replies.

Trapezius - if you read my post and stop trying to score clever-clever points, you will see that I was referring to Oman.

Cleopatra - perhaps you should try reading the English languiages Saudi press. Even there, raids on "militants" are reported with quite surprising frequency.

Ghost - In over twenty years running in Oman I never had the slightest problem with anyone. I gave up running some routes - the Al Khod village past the University road; the road from Lansab and Ghallah - because the volume of traffic becoame so heavy that it was positively dangerous, but it was still perfectly possible to find tracks along back wadis, or tarmac roads that were away from housing areas. All pefectly safe.

Stephen Jones - OK. Have it your own way. There is no threat at all in KSA. The French tourists who were murdered because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time two years ago actually committed suicide.
And the BBC's security correspondant, Frank Gardner, was not shot in a Riyadh suburb. He is pefect health, and only uses a wheelchair to gain sympathy from the public.

[ghost]

How good is running around campus at KFUPM and are there any 'soft ground' parts (dirt tracks) that can be used? If you do a 'loop' around the grounds, how far would it be? I don't really like running in a stadium or around soccer pitches (boring).

How easy is it to get to the ARAMCO compound to take part in races, on an occasional basis? That is if you don't have a car?

Neal - I envy you, that you could run outside/anywhere in Oman. I think caution is advised in Saudi, and I will not be so fortunate. Also, I think I will have to leave my bike in Korea. I will really miss those rides in the Korean countryside, stopping at the occasional village, where the 'halmoni' (grandmothers) would give me a cup of water.

Stephen, thanks for the info.

In the hotter months, it looks like cross training and swimming are the best options. Every location has pluses and minuses. Saudi will be a challenge, but I am up for it.

Ghost in Korea

[Cleopatra]

[Griff-James]

"The only drawback of this region is the lack of Oxygen and the presence of dangerous black scorpions!"



Laugh out loud funny!

Keep it coming Sacha Baron-Cohen.

[cmp45]