On I went, out of the wood, passing the man leading without knowing I was going to do so. Flip-flap, flip-flap, jog-trot, jog-trot, curnchslap-crunchslap, across the middle of a broad field again, rhythmically running in my greyhound effortless fashion, knowing I had won the race though it wasn't half over, won it if I wanted it, could go on for ten or fifteen or twenty miles if I had to and drop dead at the finish of it, which would be the same, in the end, as living an honest life like the governor wanted me to. -Alan Sillitoe, "Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner"

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Dilemma...

There's a significant chance I'll be in Egypt from 3 January to 24 January.

Tourist chic = totally hot. Admit it: you love the water bottle.
The Egyptian Marathon is scheduled for 28 January.

Do I extend my stay by a few days?

Additional info: last year, 12 women (TOTAL) finished the race, meaning that my chances of a top-ten finish are good.
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11 comments:

  1. MichaelThu Oct 21, 08:27:00 AM EDT

    Well you're already used to running in heat, so why not? Do you have to run in normal running clothes or do you have to cover up so you don't lead all those male runners astray?

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  2. TThu Oct 21, 08:30:00 AM EDT

    It's January - an average high of 74 in Luxor that time of year!

    I'm almost positive that clothing isn't an issue... it's held in a very, very touristy part of the country, and I haven't heard any reports of women needing to cover up. I'd probably wear capris just to be on the safe side.

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  3. MikeThu Oct 21, 09:22:00 AM EDT

    The Luxor has a very lax dress code that is usually ignored for high rollers.

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  4. Silly Girl RunningThu Oct 21, 10:02:00 AM EDT

    I would give it a shot! Honestly. You might win an award at that thing! Woohooo placing 1st AG!

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  5. kilaxThu Oct 21, 10:47:00 AM EDT

    I say go for it!

    I have always wanted to go to Egypt. I have a travel book to there, but haven't made it yet!

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  6. Liberal Arts LadyThu Oct 21, 11:04:00 AM EDT

    So crazy. Were you otherwise going to be in Luxor, or would this be an extra trip? It's not that far from the oases you know...

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  7. TThu Oct 21, 11:08:00 AM EDT

    I put my students on a plane in Cairo on the 24th, so it would be an extra trip to Luxor. Sadly I have to teach on the 30th, so no time for oases! However, I would probably get a room at the Movenpick, so you'd be welcome to spend your weekend lounging in the infinity pool and eating ice cream...

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  8. TThu Oct 21, 11:08:00 AM EDT

    You guys are such enablers - I love it!
    And Mike, the dress code for Luxor, Egypt, is sadly about as tacky as the dress code for the Luxor Casino. And, even more pathetically, being an American makes me rather a high roller when it comes to Egypt.

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  9. JLTThu Oct 21, 11:25:00 AM EDT

    awesome. i love it.

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  10. Carla @ I Run, You RunThu Oct 21, 11:49:00 AM EDT

    How many people actually run it? If you're going to be running it alone, it'd be soooo boring.

    But you know I'd do it! I have always wanted to go to Egypt. (Maybe not for work though, that wouldn't be as exciting as being a dumb tourist.)

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  11. ShelbyThu Oct 21, 12:33:00 PM EDT

    Hmm, that's a tough one because usually I'd say, Heck Yes! That's a crazy opportunity and it would be a story for people, too! But another part of me says Ehh because my sister went to Egypt a year ago and told me about many scary things there and running a marathon there means being by yourself out in the open for a bit (most likely, depending on where its ran at) and it may be dangerous for a tourist? I don't know.. I guess that doesn't really help you decide, does it? :)

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