Barry Mackey competed in the Skechers 10k in Dubai on Saturday, finishing in an impressive 2nd place overall.
Barry finished 1st in the M55 category the weekend before in the Meydan 10k and impressed once again on Saturday morning.
The race began at 7am to avoid the warmest part of the day and the early start didn’t affect him as he finished second with a time of 40.35.
Barry, who came to Dubai initially for the marathon in 2020, stayed with his friends Sean and Irene McFadden who work there.
He stays with them regularly and has kept his fitness to a great standard thanks to Sean who coaches there.
“They looked after me so well and showed me all the famous sights.
“I fell in love with the place and really wanted to come back here again.
“I was also here in October for two weeks and after the sad passing of my brother Deace I decided to come again as I felt life is short.
“Sean and Irene organised an apartment for me here and Sean’s ‘Training Peak’ sessions have been a great help in the race success out here”
Barry came first in the M55 category last weekend in the Meydan 10k.
Barry is running a third 10k in 3 successive weekends next weekend in Saturday’s Expo 2020 Dubai Run.
As he prepares for what will be his last run in Dubai, he reflected on the difference in the pre-race preparations and the weather between Dubai and home.
“At first I found the weather challenging even though this is the best time of year to visit.
“The last 8 miles of the 2020 marathon with the humidity and the heat was especially challenging.
“I suppose I went in at the deep end taking on the marathon but it was such a great experience but gradually now with all the weekly training I have, I’ve become acclimatised to it.
“The early 7am starts are a big help but the humidity can still be challenging and fluids are essential along the route.
“Compared to the racing back home I suppose (the biggest difference) is the early start as you have to be up at least 3 hours for breakfast before the race start, this is for all the races as where back home we have the selection of morning races earliest being 10am and then evening races. The only time you would be up earlier is for travelling out of town for some races, half or full marathons especially.
“While the heat and humidity here can be challenging the cold weather back home can be also challenging, getting the body to warm up especially this time of year and there is also a far bigger risk of injury due to that. I find here with the heat my muscles recover so much quicker.”
He’ll be celebrating his 59th birthday on the 26th of January and is leaving Dubai the following day.
He is looking forward to getting back to training in Letterkenny with coach Phillip Connolly.
But for Barry, Dubai will always be his “home from home.”
