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Afshan Ahmed

@afshahmed

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✍️ Journalist/ Writer
📣 Comms
🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️ Endurance athlete
[email protected]

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Recovery week = enough time to reflect on my Stockholm Marathon, a race I was convinced would be extremely challenging and, honestly, not my race because of the injuries I carried into it.

But it was.

It was because my expectations of myself changed in the lead-up. With a few injuries, the goal became less about the outcome and more about showing up, trying and seeing what the day would give me.

It was because my coach @tk_melina @synergy_sport_collective never gave up on the possibility of me running it, even if that meant having a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C and Plan D.

It was because @jmperformance_coach somehow took on my stress and worry about running with those injuries, and was there at startline, middle and finish.

It was because I had travelled for this race with friends and, even though we did not run together, their company was comforting and grounding

And for the first time, nutrition was bang on point thanks to coaching from @vicky_nutrition. Amazingly, there were no post marathon duck walks, unable to walk down stairs or DOMS. The energy bounce back has been phenomenal.

And yes, it was because this was a PB race. Can’t fault that.

“Run the race you’re given on the day,” they say. I was given a good one.

The training programme that accounted for my injuries, and interestingly included more biking and less running. The several scenarios. The run/walk strategy. The empathy of Mel. The support of our athlete community, and comfort of friends. And Jamie, always.

All of it made the day what it was.
Great day. Great outcome. Indebted. Grateful. taken in Stockholm, Sweden by @afshahmed

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4 months ago

Fika time
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#Sweden taken in Stockholm Central by @afshahmed

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a year ago

The granola 🥣 smile by @afshahmed

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a year ago

Humidity & my hair
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#srilankatravel taken in Diyasaru Park by @afshahmed

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a year ago

The only grind worth hitting repeat on

📸: @oceanichotel
#Khorfakkan #cycling #hills by @afshahmed

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a year ago

Unadulterated mirth with @wmn_moving_fwd

📸: @lpaynerenzo

#Liwa #AbuDhabi #womencycling #community taken in Liwa Dessert, The Western Region,Abu Dhabi by @afshahmed

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2 years ago

Wonky saddle, great fit. taken in Khor Fakkan, UAE by @afshahmed

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2 years ago

Not usually one for carousels, but some occasions just demand one.

Starting with this snap of me wrapped up in a coat, generously handed over by the ever-thoughtful bride @darasahab. Because if there’s one way to sum up her wedding trip, it’s joyful, a little chaotic, and made infinitely warmer by the incredible people I shared it with.

I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Congrats Dara and @mjmansour_92 , you two are absolute goals! taken in El Gouna, Red Sea by @afshahmed

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2 years ago

GOAT 30 Ultra Trail Run by the fantastic @peaks_sports was special and deserves an appreciation than my usual brief posts because…
I entered this 30KM race with a crazy 2,000m elevation gain filled with unchecked nerves and a significant fear of the steep, technical descent. But, to my own surprise, I completed it in 6hrs15mins—far exceeding my expectations, as I had anticipated finishing in 8-9hrs due to my struggles (crawling, scrambling, bum shuffling) with the downhill section.
This win feels particularly rewarding because it not only surpassed my own predictions but also gave me hope: perhaps I can start to chip away at my fear of downhill trails after all.
Of course, this has only come with all the backing, help and patience of incredible people, and an amazing run community, who’ve egged me on to bigger challenges each time, especially @jmgolfcoach , @takdvali , @adriana_fernandez22 , @ivko_fitness and @jesseakister

AND my wider @if_endurance and @racecraft_dxb sounding boards and cheerleaders.
More, more, more - there's more on the horizon. taken in Ras Al Khaima, UAE by @afshahmed

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2 years ago

We love a coffee ride - and here’s the last ride of 2024 ☕️🍪

#roadcycling#newkitday#cyclingindubai#dubairide#roadracing#cyclinginthedesert#abushelmets#kitebeach#oakleymiddleeast#oakleybike#ridewyld#cabalbikes#cabal#halmcoffee#halmcollective taken in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by @afshahmed

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2 years ago

When your perfectly coordinated race kit is the actual PB&J.
📸: @supersportsevents by @afshahmed

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2 years ago

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2 years ago