#WOTD: Workout Of The Day – Running
Mingalabar again!
Oh. Em. Gee. It’s hot or what? I don’t know about you guys but I’m literally melting! I get asked a lot – how do you run outdoors in this heat? Well, with a lot of determination and will-power, that’s for sure! And definitely a love and passion for it ☺
I usually do 2 short runs and 1 long run in the week.
For my long runs, I usually start from my apartment in Yankin and go down Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, all the way to Kandawgyi Park, and I make 2 loops around the park before going all the way back up Kabar Aye Pagoda Road again and stop at Real Fitness on Palae Road (opposite Pearl Condo). I estimate this to be about 18km. I then head onto the treadmill to do another 5km sprint intervals before running the 2km back to Yankin! Crazy, huh? But that’s what love does, no? What I do is a result of years of conditioning. If you’ve just started running, start small and increase your mileage bit-by-bit. I still recommend doing the 3 run a week regimen though- it works even if you start at 1-2km.
Long runs can be really boring but here’s a few pointers to help you out :
- Prep Your Mind: As soon as I get up for my morning run, I begin to think about what I want to accomplish- if we’re gonna take it slow & easy or are we going for a PB (personal best). You all know your body, listen to how it feels. Once I’ve set-up my mental frame, it’s easier to begin the long run ahead.
- Play Challenging Games With Yourself: At the start, when it is still dark out, I try to outrun the YCDC guy on the motorbike who manually switches off the street lights. If I am faster than him, I get street lights to light my path! You can do the same with anything, even with other runners! The point is to keep yourself honest during your runs. I also chase lamp posts or landmarks – and reaching each item which I’ve targeted would mean a small little reward like I get to slow down, I get to go faster, I get to change my music, whatever rocks your world, ya!
- Focus On Something Important To You: Because I’m in the brand and communications line, it is usually during my long runs or long swims or long rides that I conceptualize and write an entire proposal in my head so by the time I’m done with my run, I’ve a full proposal at the ready and once I get to the office, I simply type it out. If that doesn’t work for you – just stick with concentrating on one specific topic that keeps you stimulated.
- Music!!: Music helps. So, again, whatever rocks your world! Just make sure your iPod or whatever gear you’re using is fully-charged
In the meantime, this being the crazy streets of Yangon, it is also essential to have a safe run! Generally, nobody would disturb you even at the wee hours of the morning. But it is the motorists without their headlights who have absolutely no judgement of space that you need to look out for. So a few rules here :
- Make sure you’re visible. I always have my running blings with me!
- Keep your eyes on the road at all times. There’s the motorists and then there’s the potholes!
- When approaching a corner, try to stay off the tar road. Sometimes, cars just do not stop (and when they do, they never stop before the corner anyway!)
- Make sure your music is not too loud that you cannot hear your surroundings! It’s better to hear a honking than drowning it out with Eminem’s rapping!
- Carry some taxi fare with you – well, this is more my husband’s safety net when he comes out running with me (and he tells everyone who even merely suggests running with me to do the same :P)
#WOTD: Please send #Myanmore your running routine! We want people to be using the most scenic and safest routes in Yangon . Happy Running!
