Elite triathlete Omar Nour will be taking part in The Color Run. Caitlyn Davey speaks to him about overcoming weight gain and keeping healthy.
How did you get into triathlons in a country that doesn’t have a large tri background?
It’s pretty simple. All of a sudden when your weight balloons to 130kg when you’re just 29 years old, and you rip through not one but two pairs of pants, you take it as a polite warning that something needs to change. After a friend described what a triathlon was, I thought it’d be good for bragging rights, so I tried it out. I had no idea what I was in for or how it would change my life immediately – and permanently. I hold on tightly to the belief that if there’s a will, there’s a way.
The Color Run promotes a healthy lifestyle – can you talk a bit about your struggles with keeping healthy?
I think in this day and age, we’re so busy that we put our health on the backburner. But our health – and our life – is invaluable because we only get one shot at it! Luckily for me, training and racing is my full-time job so being as healthy as I can be each day is a no-brainer – but where I struggle most is when I am travelling or on the go. Making sure I have planned ahead of time or chosen healthy options during my trip is the only way I maintain my weight. Rule of thumb: never let yourself go for more than two to three hours without eating!
What are your greatest achievements to date?
Many would describe my losing 30-plus kilos or going from a desk job to a pro athlete as great achievements. But from my point of view, that was only the beginning. I would say most biggest achievement is my partnership with ActiveLife by Daman to change lives, to share my ‘Fat to Fit’ story and to help the youth of Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the whole of Middle East understand what it means to exercise and have a healthy lifestyle. My greatest achievement is going to these schools and making a difference to at least one student’s life.
Why are you doing the Color Run?
What I love about The Color Run is that there is a purpose for both beginners and advanced runners – a reminder that life is all about experiences and happiness can be found around every turn.
It’s called the happiest 5K on the planet. Will you be running competitively or just for fun?
It’s a colour-crazy day for friends and family. You can run, walk, crawl or cartwheel if you wish… and I plan to do all of the above!
So, what’s next on your agenda?
I’ve raced three weeks in a row. After Abu Dhabi International Triathlon, I am having a little recovery period. I’ve been working very hard on my swim this year with Hamilton Aquatics, and after my break I plan on regrouping and focusing on my swim for another solid six weeks before looking at doing some of the ITU Continental Cups to acquire points for Rio 2016.
Omar will be participating in The Color Run on March 29. Dhs140 entry, www.thecolorrun.ae.
