Achill native to fast in UAE for Ramadan

UNDERTAKING Roisin Thomas has started fasting for Ramadan. Pic courtesty of Mona Al Marzooqi/The National.

Achill native to fast in UAE for Ramadan

Róisin Thomas to fast from sunrise to sunset as part of the Muslim month of observances

Anton McNulty

AN Achill native living in the Middle East has decided to take up the challenge of fasting during Ramadan while also training for a triathlon.
In her first Ramadan since moving to the United Arab Emirates, Róisín Thomas has undertaken to fast from sunrise to sunset for 30 days as part of the Muslim month of observances.
The Achill native, who moved to the UAE less than a year ago to work as a trainer at the Haddins Fitness Centre in Abu Dhabi, says she wants to experience the month of fasting to become a better athlete and too empathise with others.
“Living here I see the workers on the streets and the carwash boys that go through hours of sweating, so I can really empathise with them. I want to experience it so I can have more respect.
“Physically through exercise I’ve gone through a lot of really hard things, trials that were really tough, but this is something that is controlled. I’m going to be hungry and thirsty, I’ve never gone hungry for more than four hours,” she said.
Ramadan started on Thursday, June 18 and will continue for 30 days until Friday, July 17. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief.
As well as exercising through the day during training classes with clients, Róisín is also preparing to take part in a triathlon in September. While she won’t be allowed to eat or drink during sunlit hours, Róisín believes Ramadan will actually help her in her preparations.
“I don’t think it will affect my training that much, the triathlon training won’t be changed as I’m doing mostly cardio. I’m going to lose power and weight,” she commented.
She also feels that going without food during the day will also make her a better trainer and she is looking forward to the challenge.
“Just sitting there, not drinking or eating, is going to be really, really hard, but I know it will make me stronger. Without knowing what it is to fast, it’s all very well for me to say ‘keep pushing’, but people are thirsty, they’re dehydrated, they can’t do ten tyre flips, so I want to know how that feels,” she said.

Did you know?
The beginning and end of Ramadan are determined by the lunar Islamic calendar