When Haitham Al Farai got bit by the triathlon bug two years ago, his weight had reached 129 kilograms, making his friends wonder if he was really serious about getting into any kind of sports. Pan to 2018 and Haitham has already carved his niche in endurance sports and is all set to compete in the forthcoming Ironman 70.3, having reached a weight of 90kgs with the right exercise regimen and food habits and a never-say-die attitude.
He started with a Spartan race after a diet programme that focused on healthy food, natural food supplements and exercise. The year was 2016 and he was 38 years old. He was still big in the weight quarters. He had reduced to 112kgs but had hit stagnancy when he joined a cross-fit group and worked under Coach Edward, who was instrumental in helping him realise his fitness goals. He managed to finish the 5-kilometre obstacle race and soon registered for the super Spartan in Abu Dhabi, where he performed better.
But looking back, he says his weight reduction goal was mostly motivated by fitness and not any sporting achievement. He was introduced to a pre-wellness programme, which, as the name suggests, helped prepare him for wellness. With his body and mind attuned to wellness, he expanded his scope of sports and got initiated into triathlon, which was a novel venture for him. Recalling the Muscat Triathlon Club event, Haitham says, “They said it involves three disciplines – swimming biking and running. I said I can do cycling, but swimming… They said you can learn everything. And so I made it my goal to attend that event; I prepared for one month and reached the finish.”
That event stoked his interest and he decided to take it further. “With discipline, with persistence and with focus on my goal I trained and placed newer targets for myself. I registered for another event and, as they say ‘when you go, go big’, I immediately registered for Ironman,” he explains.
He consulted people who had previously done Ironman; his colleague recommended a training plan, which he undertook with the help of Coach Edward. He got a new racing bike and, in between that competed in two other triathlons in Oman. The Ironman was to take place in Bahrain in November 2017 and he pushed himself from May to October 2017 to reach his target. He achieved good results in the triathlon events at Millennium Resort Musannah and Shangri-La Hotel and felt he was ready for Ironman, despite niggling doubts about the place and the possibilities. “It was a very tough call, but I managed to finish the race in 6 hours! I would say it was a good achievement, considering that professionals finish in 4 hours or so,” states Haitham.
It was, perhaps, his athletic background that first pushed him towards this sport. He used to play football and also do runs, but from 2002 to 2016 all that stopped owing to his busy life as a businessman. However, weight gain led to a host of health problems – he was prediabetic and had high cholesterol, in addition to joint pains brought on by weight. “I could not sit properly or even pray…sometimes I prayed on the chair. Travel in economy class was horrible as I was huge and the seat so small. I had to shell out more money to sit in the business class…” he recalls.
Things are back to normal and his fitness routine has proven to be a magnet for others to follow, including his family. His keen interest in endurance sports got others interested and he took a personal interest to reach out to others and encourage them to join in. For, he believes the sport is an institution in itself… “It is my lifestyle; I will be fit always. I am now 40 years old but feel better than when I was 30, even 20,” he quips.
Haitham’s six children are finding ways to match up to their dad’s routines and his friends are seeking his advice on things related to fitness and the sport. Bolstered by his experience and acquired knowledge, he is now keen to establish an academy that provides consultation services among a host of other services. “We have already registered and the near future will see the opening of the first triathlon academy in Oman,” he states, proudly.
This sports academy will be aimed at adding value to the community’s health. Plans are on to bring professional coaches and trainers to help members. And, as a first step, small courses will be organised shortly with the help of his friends in the local clubs. Following that, there will be two registered camps which would be open for locals and foreigners, thereby opening avenues for more travel and tourism opportunities.
It is his strong belief in fitness that pushes him to help people make a lifestyle change. At the Global Biking Initiative in Europe in July this year he realised the importance of willpower and determination in covering 920kms in 7 days. He relies on his diet plan and the daily training routine from 5 to 7 am every morning, which sees him cycling on the road, running on the beach or swimming in the Sultan Qaboos Stadium pool, in addition to gymming once a week. As far as his food is concerned, he says the plate should contain 4 important items – protein (25%), good carbs (25%), healthy fat (10%) and vegetables (40%). He advises staying away from food for 4 to 5 hours between two meals to avoid insulin spike.
“It is all about the right way of living. Personally, I am a different person today. It is all about loving your body and respecting yourself. When you love yourself you will love everything in life. You will be merciful,” states Haitham.