The UAE’s first Du Tough Mudder event is three weeks away. For those unsure of what to expect, here are some tips from Chris James, a 48-year-old Briton who was the first person in Europe to complete 50 Tough Mudder events.
Chris James’s top tips for Du Tough Mudder
1. Keep an open mind: Too many times people get nervous and don't attempt an obstacle but once you've tried/completed it, you'll find the obstacles aren't so bad.
2. Bring a smile: Chances are you will need help on some of the bigger obstacles no matter how tough you are (they are designed that way), so smile and be positive, you'll see a helping hand soon enough
3. Keep moving: If you've just had a go at a water obstacle it's a good idea to keep moving – don't hang around. If you're waiting for a teammate then at least swing your arms and legs around, or do burpees if you're tough.
4. Leave your gloves at home: Although they can prevent cuts and scrapes on "mud mile" or other crawls, gloves don't help on and of the big obstacles. In fact they usually make things worse.
5. Return the favour: You've cleared an obstacle, with or without help – that's great. Now turn around and help the Mudder behind you, they may need it.
6. Embrace the suck. You will get cold, tired and dirty, that's the fun part, so stop trying to skip around things to keep your new sports gear clean. If you're clean at the end then you didn't do it.
7. Run, walk or crawl, but finish: Most courses are between 16 and 19 kilometres and not everyone can run that far. If you're struggling then walk or crawl but keep moving forward and you'll get there. When you're getting tired, conserve energy by walking the hills
8. Bring a change of clothes and a towel: Chances are your clothes will be wet, muddy and smelly so make sure you have something clean and dry to wear when you're done.
9. Take advantage of the strong: There will be times when you need a hand. Don't be afraid to ask for help, sometimes if you don't ask for assistance people may think you're coping OK
10. Have fun: Du Tough Mudder is a challenge, not a race, so take your time and remember to enjoy it.
10 things not to do
1. Don't feel you're alone: One of the big things about Tough Mudder is that even if you turn up on your own (usually because your friends bailed) you are joining one big team. That team includes everyone running that day, the volunteers and the crew from tough Mudder. This is important because you may have turned up a lone runner but you will go home a Mudder and part of the tribe. You're never alone at Tough Mudder unless you want to be.
2. Don't quit: This is another big one. Doing these events can be tough, but that's the point. Most people will find things that they feel they can't do. Do them anyway… You're there to push yourself and the people around you will help you through.
3. Don't be that person: This may seem odd but many people get so caught up in the adrenaline they wave a hand for help and then once they have been helped they run off to continue without offering help to others. Don't. We're all in this together.
4. Don't buy lots of brand new clothes: They are likely to get destroyed so unless you really do have money to waste use something old and comfortable that you don't mind ruining
5. Don't run through electric obstacles: Many people feel the urge to run through. Don't – unless you want to be very entertaining for everyone else.
6. Don't forget to drink: It's better to hydrate leading up to your event. Do not wait until you're on course. If you feel thirsty, then you're already dehydrating.
7. Don't jump blind: Always look below you at water obstacles and even on mud-mile because it's easy to land on someone if you don't pay attention. Both of you can get hurt.
8. Don't open your mouth: It's not a great idea to eat the mud or drink the water so keep your mouth closed and blow out when you come out of a water obstacle.
9. Don't obstruct the course: Some people may be moving faster than you so let them pass. If you're walking in a group make sure there is a passage to one side so people can get past.
10. Don't ignore the safety briefing: Some vital information will be given so pay attention. You'll have time to talk with your mates on course. If you were injured you wouldn't want to be surrounded by people who hadn't listened to the safety briefing.
healthyliving@thenational.ae
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Pathaan
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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