interviewed by Amanda Nimon Peters
Personal details
Name: Tracey Watson
Nationality: Yorkshire British
Marital Status: We’ve been married for 3 years, after spending 15 years trying to work out if Al is the right guy for me. I forget our wedding anniversary every year (which is lucky because so does he)
Occupation: Very busy mum without a fulltime maid
Life stage: Confused
Most impressive party trick: Sitting on Al’s shoulders and being able to climb through his legs and back onto shoulders without touching the floor. (Try it after a few beers, a good way to get injuries)
Dream holiday: Any holiday would do - just needs to have a kids’ club
Thoughts on Dubai
Years in Dubai: 3
Where else have you lived: A lot of places in the UK, a year in a tent in Africa, slumming it in Central America.
3 best things about Dubai: A cleaner; a babysitter; great lifestyle
3 worst things about Dubai: It’s kind of made up; quite a lot of arrogant people; not being able to swear or gesticulate at stupid drivers.
What is your recommendation for a great night/day out in Dubai: XVA gallery for some peace and a good book + some great art.
Favourites (include why)
Favourite sports person: Ellen Macarthur, tiny British solo round-the-world sailor who showed the guys how to do it in the vendee globe. Also Alison Hargreaves, who climbed loads of mountains solo regardless of the flak she got from the British press for leaving her kids behind.
Favourite food: I love all food, but Spanish tapas is a favourite especially if I have not had to make it.
Favourite drink: white wine (do I need to say why to this one Amanda?)
Favourite book: Most recent is Time Traveller’s Wife. (How would you feel if your husband kept time travelling at the most inconvenient times and did not come back for 20 years ... seriously, I recommend it)
Favourite cultural activity: trying to paint ....
General knowledge (WITHOUT reference material, i.e. no internet, reference books, calculator etc).
What is the largest stringed instrument in a classical orchestra? Double bass - but not sure if that is a classical orchestra.... second guess would be cello but now I am wondering how big a harp is ... uh oh.
In which sport could you find yourself in a headlock? Wrestling with my kids
For which chemical process do plants need CO2 and sunlight? Is it: a) osteoporosis, b) photosynthesis; or c) asexual reproduction .... I reckon it depends on the type of plant. If it has bones is has to be osteoporosis, otherwise would have to be sexual reproduction.
How far is it to the moon? A long way (technical answer)
Across your life...
What is you most embarrassing moment: Jumping into a calm swimming pool, in front of a hushed audience at the under-15 syncro-swim competition just BEFORE I was supposed to. Then having to get out and start again. Wasn’t really very synchronised! ...And lots of other things I won’t tell you about.
What is your greatest achievement in life: Convincing a guy that he did not want to shoot my husband.
What is your motto for life: A bit corny but it used to help ... ‘ I am not a failure because I don’t succeed, I am a success because I try’.
What gets you out of bed in the morning: the fear of not having done the kids’ packed lunches the night before.
What is your worst habit: I don’t have any .... but perhaps drinking too much could be seen this way....
What are you afraid of: Dying (sorry but it’s true)
What is your worst nightmare: Carrefour on a Friday
Running and sport
Why do you run: To get out of the house and away from the kids
How many years have you been running: Since I was 12, but had a few years of sabbatical in the middle...
How many kms per week do you run: Varies enormously. Last year 40k tops, this year up to 70k.
Favourite racing distance: Half marathon
Best ever race: Either my half marathon PB (1hr 25m) where I felt like I was flying: don’t know what happened, still trying to do it again!...or the tough-guy winter assault course + 8 mile run, which was just fun and bonkers (think: swimming submerged under a bridge in ice cold water and you get the picture).
Worst ever race: 3-legged-cross-country 10km race tied to my brother - I had to put up with him being 6 foot tall, and running too fast for me. We got round in 52 mins and I threw up at the end.... unfortunately still tied to my brother.
What training do you hate: Long runs on my own
What training do you like best: speed sessions (weird, I know)
What advice would you give a fellow runner: Doesn’t matter how ‘good’ you are, just be in it to do better than last time
What is your 'must have' piece of running kit: umm ... my trainers .....
What other sports do you do: no time for anymore right now :-( ... used to do triathlon, and a LOT of rowing at university.
