Challenge Mode

Melissa Woods, Qatar

Melissa Woods is an American physical education teacher living in Qatar and an ultra-marathon runner. As part of the GOALS program, Melissa tells the story of her journey into extreme marathon running and the stereotypes she has been able to shatter with each finish line.

We were in Botswana, just outside Chobe National Park, running marathon number five of the Southern African Challenge. We were several kilometers into our run when the race organizer informed us that lions were sighted near the running path, so we had to re-route. I very quickly became more aware of my surroundings and decided to run without music. Every tree rustling put me on alert until I finished the race. 

From 2017 to 2019, I completed 22 marathons in 21 different countries. I was also introduced to obstacle course racing during that time. I realized how incredibly fun and challenging the sport could be, because it brings an element of the unknown. No race is ever the same and it keeps me mentally engaged. Evenings and weekends were spent training. Holidays were spent on ‘runcations’ and traveling to take part in races and Spartan events across the globe. 

Running Back For More 

My name is Melissa Woods, and I am a 44-year-old Physical and Health Education Teacher from the USA. I have been living in Qatar since 2014 where I work at Qatar Academy Doha (part of Qatar Foundation). Aside from teaching, I am also a Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Spartan SGX coach who enjoys spending time helping others achieve their sporting goals.

While I have enjoyed playing sports such as volleyball and running track since middle school, my true love for sports and adventure did not come until I was an adult. I began running as a pastime to stay healthy. In 2017, with no long-distance races under my belt, I signed up for the Southern African Challenge which was seven marathons in seven countries over eight days as I was intrigued by the countries I would be running in. 

On the morning of the first race, I woke up with an insane amount of energy and not an ounce of self-doubt. I felt ready to go. The crisp air was still dark, and all I could smell was the muscle gel on my legs. This was soon replaced by the smell of breakfast in the lodge. It was quiet and still outside, save for a small animal chirping. We all did our own little warm-up and then headed to the starting line. 

Little did I know that my life would soon change the moment I landed and met the individuals who were also taking part in this unique running adventure. I learned the power of the mind and that the barriers I put up lived in my mindset and not in my physical body. I went on to complete a full marathon every day that week. 

A few months later, I went back for more and registered for the Central Asian Challenge and agreed to take on five marathons in five countries over six days.

Some of my favorite highlights throughout my running journey include becoming the first American woman to complete an official marathon in Iran and completing my first ultramarathon of 90 kilometers from East to West across Qatar.

The Setback

Aside from Covid-19 setting back training and races, a recent injury derailed numerous plans. As a result of not focusing on the importance of rest and recovery, I suffered eight months of therapy due to a back injury after a throbbing pain that caused me to freeze mid-exercise. I was filled with fear while meeting the doctor to discuss the results of the x-rays and MRIs. 

Recovery ended up being extremely slow. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. I felt lost and alone and I was struggling with simple tasks. I missed my gym community and without being able to workout, my whole day was thrown off. I became irritable and my positive outlook on life wavered. I did not feel like myself. I could feel my mental health deteriorating as I logged on to social media and saw fitness posts that reminded me of my struggles. 

Only recently have I been able to return to training and sadly I am still not at the same level of intensity I was before. I will continue to overcome this barrier and am learning how to adjust my pace accordingly. 

Support System 

Every running community I have ever come across, no matter the location on the globe, has offered support and inspiration. My friends, family, and gym community have also always been there to encourage me and stand behind me. While I was in recovery, they reminded me that my injury did not define me, which helped my mindset during a challenging time. Regardless of the mission I was out to complete, they never failed to offer support. 

Three individuals stand out amongst this group. The first one is the race organizer, Ziyad Rahim, whom I only met a few months prior to joining the challenge. He shared his adventure running experiences and spoke about this epic challenge and I knew instantly that I wanted to be a part of it, even if I was going to be the weakest link and the cheerleader for others. 

The second was the woman who was assigned to be my roommate during the adventure. Tee Morgan was a known runner in Doha, however, our paths had not yet crossed until I landed in South Africa. She was the one who told me that I did not come all this way just to participate in the races I always run. It was Tee’s faith in my ability that encouraged me to go for the marathons. 

The third and most special motivator is an athlete named Beth Sanden, who remarkably earned three world records following a paralysis diagnosis. Beth has completed races on all seven continents, including the North Pole and Antarctica. Overcoming a spinal injury while training for the Boston Marathon and Ironman Triathlon Hawaii, Beth was determined to defy the odds and to race once again. She was the strength I needed. I thought to myself, “there is no reason I cannot run a full marathon today. I am blessed with a capable body and need to give it a go.” From there history began to write itself. 

Victory Laps 

What instantly drew me to extreme and endurance sports was the unique sense of adventure they delivered, particularly knowing that no two events are the same and there is an immense unknown factor in what to expect. While you may have an idea of most obstacles in an obstacle course race, you never know where exactly they will be located throughout the course or what challenges the terrain or weather may bring. These sports are symbolic of life as we are constantly dealing with bumps in the road that may steer us in new directions and on paths we had not anticipated.

I launched the QAD Run Club after seeing the number of students who expressed an interest in running and who were eager to participate in local races. Our break time sprints across the playground quickly turned into track sessions and continued to grow. Any time I was on the playground for recess duty, they wanted to run with me or ask me to watch them race their friends. They would beg me to show them how to do push-ups, burpees, and pull-ups. Fitness was a huge part of my classroom culture. I created a fitness zone for brain breaks and would often take the students outside in the garden. We celebrated classroom successes with a victory lap around the playground.

I love to see the responses of my students when they see that their teacher is a strong woman and can do things that their young minds believe only men should be able to do.

Students as young as four years old wanted to run and school and club competitions were being introduced at local events. I wanted to show them how much fun sports could be. Soon after, students signed up to attend weekend races and one of the first graders even took first place in the competition in one of the series. 

I attended some of the ladies-only sessions that Oxygen Park hosted twice a week, and I would chat with the women and invite them to upcoming races. They would always ask if the races were ladies only and most said they would love to come, but only if men were not allowed. They did not feel comfortable having men in attendance or watching the race. I could see the importance of these ladies-only spaces, and eventually, I do wish to help organize the first ladies-only race series in the region. 

The Path Forward 

Qatar has created a pathway for sports across the country and I wish to be an integral component in achieving this vision. I see parks, running paths, and bicycle lanes increasing. Technology is used to build facilities that can be used year-round. Athletes are provided with ways to enhance performance and improve training sessions while fans find ways to engage and support them. Most importantly, I see the pathway promoting diversity and inclusion in sports, having categories for not just both genders, but also for adaptive athletes.

A variety of factors have contributed to the shift in running participation from expats to locals. Running clubs and organizations have become more abundant and inclusive as Qatari athletes come forward and speak about their achievements in sports. The prolonged restrictions due to the pandemic led more people to want to get involved. During Covid-19 while gyms were closed, outdoor sports such as running and biking, became extremely popular. 

Additionally, event organizers began to urge, and later enforce, athlete dress codes that were more culturally aligned. This has allowed everyone to feel more comfortable and to build a strong sense of community. For many, running has become a family sport. It is something that all ages and abilities can take part in. The youngest runners at many events are only three years of age!

Making History  

Sports are important for women in my community because they provide empowerment and confidence, in addition to stress relief and a sense of accomplishment. Through sports, women can develop skills, learn self-discipline, challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes, as well as build friendships and establish community. 

Playing and coaching sports has taught me determination and grit while building camaraderie, a desire to persevere, and a sense of balance to my life. Participating in male-dominated sports allows me to deconstruct the stigma of women’s sports as inferior. 

I felt this impact most notably when I ran the I Run Iran marathon in 2019, where we made history as men and women ran together in an official race for the first time. Goosebumps filled my body from the moment I arrived in the hall to collect my race bibs, all the way to the finish line. We all, men and women, hugged one another at the end as we celebrated each other.

It gives me a positive mindset and mental toughness that pushes me further into challenge mode.

Opportunities for women and girls to get involved in sports in Qatar have been increasing at a steady pace. In the lead-up to and following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, women-only training sessions and events are becoming more popular. Parks are closing and offering ladies-only nights. Gyms have increased their women-only classes and are offering a wider variety of sessions for girls of all ages. When larger events come to Qatar, planning discussions are in place to ensure that women will be provided with equal opportunities. 

On And Off The Field 

My future ambitions include training as many adults and children as I can. One day I would love to open my own training academy which would include a running track, a full gym, and obstacle equipment. I want to provide unique, functional training for all. Providing women and girls a safe place to receive training and develop their skill set is essential. 

I would like to see programmes established for women that focus on health and well-being. Health education needs to be embedded in schools and students should learn about the importance of nutrition and making healthy choices and lifestyle changes. Schools should be more inclusive for girls and all sports should be offered to both girls and boys. 

To support this, I want to continue to work to get schools to include culturally appropriate activewear as part of their PE and sports uniforms. I would like to see my student athletes provided with uniforms they are comfortable and confident in both on and off the field.

And for me, my next sport of choice will be Hyrox, which is considered the World Series of Fitness Racing. It will require battling through yet another injury and getting back into top shape!