Running Abroad

Across the world, a vast number of running routes attract a huge number of runners every year. There has also been a huge growth in the number of destinations offering such events and marathons across the seven continents. In addition, running a marathon abroad is generally the next step for successful domestic marathoners.

Usually, the first-time overseas marathon runners head straight for New York. The place offers one of the most spectacular marathons, visited by thousands of runners each year. Quite a few of these marathons, in US and Europe also work with charities to offer packages to the running enthusiasts.

Here we list some of the most famous ones:

• Sydney Harbourside, Australia
• The Rome Marathon
• The Lakes, Minneapolis, USA
• Prague, Czech Republic
• Niagara Falls, USA/Canada
• The Great Wall of China
• The Monopoly Run, London
• Central Park, New York City, USA
• Athens, Greece
• Marrakech, Morocco
• Flora London Marathon
• Canberra Marathon
• Chicago Marathon
• Dubai Marathon
• Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town

Running abroad, especially in a hot climate can predispose you to a vast range of health hazards, starting from heat exhaustion, dehydration and even going up to heat stroke.

You can spot a heat stroke the moment you feel that you have actually stopped sweating in spite of feeling exhausted in the heat. The immediate step you should take is to move out of the sun, cool the body, take in fluids and go for a bath or a swim. In severe cases, you will stop feeling thirsty and can even pass out.

Experts warn that if faced with heat stroke or heat exhaustion once, you might be unable to handle heat ever again during your sports regime. Hence, it is extremely crucial that the onslaught of heat be avoided.

Here we list a few main precautions you can take to avoid being affected by the hot climate:

Stay hydrated: Take in many fluids. Our body tends to sweat more in a hot weather. Increased sweat leads to a greater loss of fluids. On an average, a person loses 500 to 750 ml of sweat per hour while running. This, in turn rises to more than a litre in hot and humid climate.

Hot vs. Humid climate: Prefer to run in a humid climate when you have a choice. Sweating is the bodyfs way of controlling heat build-up, which means that you will feel more comfortable running in humid weather as against running in dry heat.

Time of the day: Prefer to run in the morning hours of the day as against the midday. You are likely to face worst of sunrays in midday and the softest rays in the morning.

Skin and eye care: Use a good UV protection lotion for your skin. In addition, always wear protective eye accessories, such UV sunglasses.

A training weekend is a short duration training session held at centres specifically designed for the purpose. Such sessions are normally led by a top runner with years of experience, in competing as well as coaching groups.

For such an experience, you can visit Club La Santa, located on the west coast of Lanzarote in Canary Islands, which is also the biggest sports and activity holiday resort in the world. Such places are just the right environment for like-minded sports and fitness enthusiasts to train together in warm weather surroundings.

Many other clubs specially organize running holidays. You can choose one that suits your budget, time availability and interest levels.

Running abroad can be perfect fun if you follow a few tips and precautions in your time out.

Here we list the main amongst them:

• Plan your running schedule and activities ahead of time and confirm with the hotel or resort owner you are staying with.
• Acclimatize yourself to the environment before you start on your running regime. Travelling and change in atmosphere can make even a simple workout seem tougher
• Instead of taking a guided tour, take a running tour of the place around and discover it on your own.
• Increase the time and intensity of your running after a few days, only when you feel up to it.
• If running for an overseas marathon, ensure that you get yourself registered in time, as most of the organizers close admissions once a certain number of entrants register themselves.
• Carry all your essential documents and identity proofs with you while going on a run in a new place.
• Carry a GPS receiver or other location tracking device, if possible