Running In India

Seeker710

I'm a runner, training for a half-marathon. I'll be in India for two weeks and will need to keep on my training schedule....

Does anyone see any problem with me being able to run in India? Here are some questions I've got after reading many posts and most of my LP guide:

-Do I need to run early-early in the morning or late-late at night (because of the clogged streets and sidewalks)

-Am I safe running at those hours? Obviously I'd carry only minimal stuff (a basic ID card, a few rupees and my hotel key if its the kind of place that lets you keep it [versus dropping it at the desk when you leave the room]).

-Is running/jogging/walking for health even a concept there? How can I hook up with other runners to get some tips on where they run and good routes for particular distances?

Okay - that's good for now. If anyone has any input I'd appreciate it. For the record at this point it looks like I'm doing Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai/Pondicherry, Hampi and "the Taj".

Thanks

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Shikari

I think you might have a problem with dogs chasing you in some places.

ColinT

I would suggest running early in the morning, when it is less crowded and the heat is also less (6 to 7am). I recall seeing hundreds of people early in the morning jogging along the waterfront in Colaba, Mumbai. And personal safety is no problem. It's not like the West!

lostinasia

Pollution might be an issue. The pollution index in Agra when I was there in January was 248 (so shocking I recorded it in my journal). This means that the sky was brown. Over 100 is considered unhealthily polluted; my hometown, Vancouver, is usually around 15-20 and the newspapers go nuts when it's over 30-40. I live in Taiwan, and it gets pretty polluted here--I find around 70 or 80 is when I really notice the difference while exercising, and a couple of years ago I learned to simply NOT do anything intense at that level--runs become brisk walks. One thing that sucks about living in Asia... I actually check the pollution index before going out for a run or a ride.

That being said, I did see a few people jogging in the morning in Agra. I guess you do what you can.

temp

I think you might have a hard time finding smooth pavement/road to run on. Not much maintenance you know, public work, run by the govt and all that.

Safety: No fear regarding running/being out anytime anywhere in the places you're going to, except maybe Agra. The west & south are safe to be out all hours. Even in North (agra etc) the most would be being robbed. India has had among lowest crime rates degreewise & volumewise .. although that's starting to change these last 5 years (because of ongoing westernization etc).. but still pretty safe.

early early morning is best because at night you won't be able to run around because of throngs of people out.

bijapuri

try local parks , called Bagh, or Maidan, in India.

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traceyam

I second local parks. You'll see other joggers/runners there, as well as aunties in their salwar kameez and sneakers out for their morning walk. You'll be fine.

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Shannon

I had a hell of a time running in India - I was in dehradun and I think the sight of a blonde westerner running in baggy sweats was too much to take. I had boys running AFTER me - at least they got their exercise

traceyam

I was a blonde Westerner running in Delhi, and no one seemed to have a problem with it. I wasn't followed, anyway. Maybe that's Dehli, though. Or maybe I'm not all that attractive while running, lol.

AussieGirl

I was in Bangalore just last month and saw lots of westerners jogging early in the morning, before work. On weekends the roads are pretty deserted.

If you can stand the heat then I don't think you will have a problem.

AussieGirl

I forgot to add.... in Bangalore, the roads get very busy from about 6pm onwards when people are leaving work and/or heading to the shops. Also it is quite dark so you may not be seen by the cars.

There are many mozzies in Bangalore and they tend to come out at dusk.
I would stick to morning jogs, and maybe use a gym in the evenings.

Karma Queen

i think walking is more of a popular thing than jogging. a couple of my (english) housemates in bangalore used to go jogging in the evenings, and say they got quite a few stares from the locals. this may have been because, to my knowledge, we were the only western people in the area though.

walking was very popular. the local park was made up of grass and flowers with fenced off paths running around it. everyone was usually out in the early evenings, at about 6 or 7 o clock, briskly walking. my indian landlady used to change her daytime salwar kameez to a pretty sari to take her walk. dressing up seemed quite the thing to do

Seeker710

thank you to all for the input - i'll give it a go regardless. hopefully i won't have too many problems.

regards,