Running in the Tropics - Alien-Clown-Champion!

Experiencing the heat of the tropics for the first time, can be quite a shocking experience. I remember the first time I left the cool confines of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, I raced through the doors with excitement and then it hit me! The humid air stopped me in my tracks, you could almost cut through it with a knife.

With temperatures rarely dropping below 30 degrees, it hardly makes it the best conditions for running! Furthermore all the concrete, buildings and pollution within the city make Bangkok one of the hottest places in Thailand. Breeze? What's that? Something you will rarely experience within the confines of the capital. Due to the stifling heat I would recommend running at sunrise, between 6-8 a.m. or 5-7 p.m. Although I would go for the morning as there will have been a 12 hour window for everything to cool down.(Even then it's pretty hot!) The coolest time of the year is during the months of November and December, although as I write this in November there have been two cooler days and the temperature has risen again! But it does usually become cooler for 6-8 weeks!

If you are in Bangkok and you fancy experiencing a run/walk in the tropical metropolis, there are several pleasant locations to try.

Suan Rotfai (Train Park), near the famous Chatuchak weekend market, this can reached by taking the BTS Skytrain service to Mo Chit.

Benjasiri Park, next to Emporium Shopping Mall, this can be easy located by taking the BTS Skytrain to Phrom Phong.

Bang Krachao, also know as the 'Green Lung', this can be located by taking a boat from the pier at Klong Toey, or Bang Na.

Nawamin Park, this is located further north of the city and would need to be accessed by taxi!

So, by now you are probably wondering about the title 'Alien-Clown-Champion' and rightly so, referring back to the blistering heat, outside of the parks and on the backstreets, seeing a westerner hurtling along the road at pace seems to be quite a spectacle and I would like to describe the three looks I get from ongoing pedestrians:

Number One - Alien

I quite frequently get this look, as I stride by like a giraffe the onlookers who see me in this light don't just gaze, they fully lock on with a good five second stare. Often mouths drop open trying to decode what the flash of light was that just went past. Possibly the stare comes with the thoughts of "What the hell is he doing? Where did he come from? Why would he want to do such a thing in these underwear melting conditions?" My hopes are the stares are out of amazement, but the puzzled looks don't give that impression.

Image Credit: Coolvibe.com

Number Two - Clown

Now, this look is not so appreciated and doesn't happen on a daily or even weekly basis, but I usually am looked at in this manner two or three times during a month. As I stride past onlookers may point and laugh as I go through my final kilometres in the blistering heat. My initial reaction is to say: "Do one, or jog on!" Why do they need to point and laugh? Is it my peculiar stride, my rosy red cheeks, my running gear, or my stupidity for running in this climate? (trying to stay fit and healthy). Either way I have very little appreciation for this look. Oh, I almost forgot some street comedians love to shout 'run faster' or 'go go go', usually laughing as they do it while sitting on their large behinds, again it could be sincere encouragement, but it doesn't seem that way! Well at least I am providing free entertainment to other members of society.

Image Credit: Pinterest.com

Number Three - Champion

The most welcomed look out of the three and luckily the most common. I often cross paths with people on my sweaty runs around the local sois (roads) and the general consensus welcome me as I tumble by. They often say 'very good' or give the thumbs up and these little cheers make all the difference in the tropical heat, sometimes it really is a struggle and being cheered like a champ makes all the difference!

This picture was captured after a 10 mile run, arranged on the streets of Bangkok, which started at 6 a.m. helping us avoid the heat! I had cooled down for quite sometime when this photo was taken. My usual state after a run is a shade of beetroot!

Now if you are a traveller and feel like a run I would opt for a location outside of the city, the difference in temperature is staggering! Also if you wish to run without a vest/shirt it will be fine, whereas in Bangkok it really is frowned upon and you are guaranteed to get the 'alien' look from passers by.

Running near the hills or on the beach are a great option and there are a few precautions I would recommend. Firstly I would make sure you are well hydrated before you go out and take water, plus some change to buy additional bottles. The heat hear can dehydrate you rapidly, leading to agonising cramps. Fill your bottles with electrolytes prior to your run, I noticed a huge difference once I started this. Don't go to hard to early, I found out the hard way, 3k in depleted with no water, slumped in a pile on the corner of a street!

I must admit the feeling afterwards can be similar to a head gasket blowing on your car! But generally this soon passes over. Usually the feel of accomplishment overrides the exhaustion, mixed with relief!

Below are some pleasanter spots I would recommend for a tropical run:

Koh Samed - An island three hours from Bangkok

Khao Yai - A mountain, which is around two and a half hours from Bangkok

Hua Hin, a favourite of the late Thai king, about three hours from Bangkok

Well Steemians, thank you so much for reading my blog, it is truly appreciated. If you enjoyed this, don't forget to upvote and follow to see more exploring in Thailand.

(All photos in this post are originals of my own unless stated.)

Keep exploring!