A new Canadian sets his feet on the path to a marathon

“Every step, every time out the door for a run is a new beginning, a new journey on the open road.”

Hussain Albeer

Hussain is a 21 years old Iraqi runner. He lived in Dubai for 13 years and in 2012 moved to Canada. He was motivated to start running after meeting Haile Gebrselassie in 2008. He was inspired after seeing Gebreselassie seemingly effortlessly float through the air.

Now in Missisauga, Ont., Hussain started training on his own for several months and did his first 3K race in 2009. In 2012, he did his first half-marathon in Dubai and finished in 2:12. Shortly after his longest race to date his running came to a halt after he tore his ACL ligament. Running was put on hold for a full year.

But with bad came the good, as 2012 was also the year that Hussain moved to Canada.

He made his comeback to running in 2013 at the Toronto Marathon, finishing in 5:20. Then, he decided to get proper coaching so he joined a local group of runners called Runners Goals, coached by William Clews.

With others to run with and a coach to guide and give advice, Hussain’s running really took off. After one year of hard training and logging miles Hussain ran the half at the 2014 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 1:23:47.

Why do you like running and how does it make you feel?

For me, I feel like running is a cure for my mind. It is where I feel free and nobody can stop me. I like running because it is a sport of passion and desire, I also like it because it doesn’t involve luck with it. Simply, you get what you work for. So as hard as you work on yourself, the better outcome you will get?

How do you like running in Canada and have you adapted to the brutally cold winters?

Running in Canada is very different from running in Dubai. In my hometown there, we are used to train on sand and lots of hills. In Canada you don’t really find lots of such places. I try to hit the trail twice a week in the summer to simulate the soft surface. I love to run in Canada to show everyone that Iraq is a safe country and Iraqi people have much more than just violence. The running community in Canada is great and very welcoming for new comers.

What are your running goals for 2015?

Currently my training is going well and my main goal for 2015 will be to run sub-1:15 at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront for the half-marathon distance. I will be doing some short races through the year as well. I also decided to add two Yoga sessions per week to my training program to stay injury free and increase my flexibility and am excited to see how that goes.

See you all on the roads or in the blogosphere.

Do you have a running story to tell?

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You can also find me on Twitter @NoelPaine or on my personal blog.