Running (or I should say attempting to run) when I first moved to South Asia verses how I’ve felt running after living here a year were drastically different. My attempts to run during the first few months were filled with fear, not only because cray cray monkeys sat on our front gate in the morning but also because running is just different here. I got lots of stares, usually just because the only people EVER seen running around where I live are young guys training for the army. So a foreigner running, let alone a girl, is just flat out weird. I resorted to indoor workouts– which I still love to do.
A year later, in November 2019, I tried the whole South Asia running thing again. My husband and I decided to do a half- marathon together (read a little about it here). It would be his first and my third and we were excited about getting outside as well as training together. This time, I felt more confident, more comfortable, and familiar with the people as well as the town. It also helped that we moved and there’s only been a monkey at our gate one time –praises!
I know some women who have had rough experiences running in South Asia and it’s important to be aware of your surroundings as well as smart about the time of day you run.
When I was training for the half-marathon, I usually ran in the mornings around 7:00, which worked great for me. We also don’t live on a crazy busy road either.
What I wear: I usually wear leggings and a shirt that covers my butt. I brought over some shirts that were found at thrift stores (I’ll be back for ya, hole-in-the-wall thrift shops) in the States and are a few sizes up from what I would normally wear. I’m sure there are other options out there but that was my cheap way of being sure there would be booty coverage without spending much moolah. Leggings are just super comfy and I was able to run with my phone in my pocket, which was good for safety and wonderful for listening to music, books, and podcasts.
Here were a few of my favorite things about running in the countryside of such a beautiful and unpredictable country: (explained below :-))
1. You never know what you’ll see
Every run is an adventure!
Other days it was a line of donkeys trotting methodically down the road with bells around their necks.
Some days it was a shepherdess with a heard of sheep and goats.
2. You meet the locals
We ran into our friend one day on a long run and caught up for a few minutes (and caught our breath).
One old couple started cheering for me every day as I passed their shop. I would put my hands together and say “Namaste” and he would grin from ear to ear.
My neighbor and his walking buddies often greeted us as they were all coming back from their 6 am walk and we were heading out to run.
We saw the same gracious shopkeeper on long runs who let me take a pee pit stop at the washroom in his restaurant.
I often came back home so thankful for my neighbors.
3. You learn about local life
Women here continually amaze me. They are some of the most beautiful, strong, and hardworking women I’ve ever met.
The man who hung the rugs on the bamboo poles washes people’s rugs for a living.
4. You see the layout of the neighborhood in a new light
When you walk or run in your neighborhood, you learn the layout of the land in a completely different way than if you were driving through the area. Where are the little trails off from the road? Who is on their front porch in the morning? What new restaurant do you want to try? Where are all the school kids in braids and plaid outfits waiting for the bus?
5. You start the day off with the outdoors
I understand that most places in South Asia do not look like this and therefore starting the day outdoors might look like a dusty road scattered with cars and cows.
There are days, even here, when I don’t linger outside due to the pollution but during the time when I trained for the half, most days were gorgeous and pretty clear of smog.
It always put me in a better mood and mindset for the day to start off with fresh air, morning light, and the feeling of freedom that comes when I run.
Added bonus: Getting to train with my favorite person! (Don’t worry no one was looking. #PDAPolice)