Continuing training while traveling can often be a challenge.  It can take careful planning searching for pools, running routes, cycling shops for rentals, and cycling routes that provide challenge and safety.  In the United States, all are attainable with some magical Google search luck and weather and time permitting.

My next trip was not in the United States though.  No, my next trip was to Saudi Arabia!

In between opening a new pizza brand, I designed for a company there, I had to find a way to work in some training.  This was especially important as my days would consist of ample amounts of dough and cheese doing nothing good for my figure or race weight unless I could find a way to burn it off.

 

In addition, the air quality in Riyadh is one of the worst in the world.  Nothing but desert dust in the air.  This would be my third trip to the region and I can tell you it is a rare moment where I can view the blue sky.  It is usually a hazy light brown and most people have a similar cough they carry around with them no doubt related to the particle fest they are breathing in.

Fortunately, my hosts are a well-diversified company that built a “compound” to house many of their foreign executives brought in to manage the various companies.  Inside the compound, I was happy to find today what they call the rec center.  For me, it was like a mini Olympic training center.  Olympic pool, strength training room, indoor track, and spin cycles.  Everything I need to keep a base or even improve.  Plus, outside particles were contained outside for the most part.

The center also includes an indoor soccer field, tennis courts, badminton courts, squash courts, and basketball courts if I got bored running in a circle or doing laps in the pool.

This will be my home for the next 8 days and it looks like I have plenty to keep me busy and in the triathlon game.  Training will be pizza powered, but at least there will be training.