Estheisy’s running journey began after moving to Dubai and looking for a way to stay active while meeting new people. What started as a simple step outside her comfort zone soon grew into a genuine passion, fuelled by the friendships and support she found in the running community, eventually leading her to complete the New York Marathon.
Now running three to four times a week and embracing races for the experience as much as the challenge, Estheisy is motivated by community, mindset, and the belief that you’re capable of more than you think. We caught up with her to talk about her journey and what keeps her moving forward.
- Tell us a bit about your running journey – how did it all begin?
- I had moved to Dubai without knowing anyone, and my job is very sedentary, so I wanted to meet new people while doing some kind of sport. That’s how I found a running group and decided to join. I didn’t enjoy running at first, but over time I completely fell in love with it.
- What does running mean to you personally?
- Peace of mind, confidence, and the reminder that you can do anything if you really work for it.
- What’s been your proudest running achievement so far?
- Running the New York Marathon. It wasn’t my personal best, but I had the best experience during the race.
- How do you approach motivation – especially on tough days?
- Having a community that motivates you to push forward and encourages you makes all the difference. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people really helps during the hard days.
- What does your typical training week look like?
- I usually run three to four times a week, depending on whether I have a race coming up. It’s normally divided into one interval session, one or two easy runs, and one long run.
- How do you prepare before a big race – mentally and physically?
- Physically, I go for a shake-out run, eat well, and rest. Mentally, I always try to have a clear reason why I’m running, especially for long distances, and I keep that in mind throughout the race to keep moving forward.
- What’s your number one tip for runners looking to improve performance?
- Follow a training program, either in a group or individually. And don’t be afraid to ask more experienced runners for advice, the community is usually very welcoming and willing to help.
- What’s your go-to recovery routine after a long run or race?
- Stretching, a shower, eating well, and proper rest for the rest of the day.
- When things get tough mid-race, what keeps you pushing forward?
- Like I mentioned, I try to set an intention or a reason for running and keep that in mind. I think about all the time I spent training and remind myself that I’m capable of this. The mind often wants to give up first, but the body can do much more, so I keep pushing and prove it to myself once again.
- How has the running community impacted your journey?
- Immensely. It was the reason I ran my first half marathon and my first full marathon. The community motivated me to join, train, and supported me all along the way. It really made the difference in me falling in love with the sport.
- What do you think makes the UAE running scene unique?
- How diverse it is in terms of nationalities and cultures, yet so aligned in supporting and helping each other, regardless of different goals or running levels.
- What advice would you give to someone starting their running journey?
- Find a community, it will make a huge impact. And to remember it’s a race with yourself, not with others, so go at your own pace and don’t rush the process.
- What’s your must-have piece of running gear or tech?
- My running belt from Naked—not sponsored, hahaha, but I’d love to be their ambassador one day!
- What are your running goals for the year ahead?
- I haven’t fully set them yet, but right now I’m just enjoying the sport, the community, and joining races for the fun and atmosphere.
- What excites you most about The Run Show coming to Dubai?
- Being around other runners, discovering new running communities, and exploring new gear or companies in the industry that could positively impact my performance.