Training During Study Abroad

jansmiller14 wrote:

I am a D3 college cross country runner. I'm doing summer training this summer; however, I won't be running xc in the fall because I will be in Thailand for study abroad. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a training plan for while I'm in Thailand. I don't know how much I'll be able to run, but what are weekly goals I should hit to maintain my summer training? My last 4 weeks of summer training will be 60, 66, 72, and 80 miles. Given that level of fitness, what should I try to do in Thailand? The next season I will have is indoor track. I run the 800 and mile.

Well, it depends upon where you will be living. Will you be upcountry or in Bangkok? If in Bangkok your options are limited. You cannot just go out and run in the streets due to the traffic and congestion. This includes the sidewalks. You would need to train in parks such as Lumphini, Rama IX, Nong Bon, Benjakitti, and Chatuchak/RodFai.

You should be prepared to scrap most of your quality training while you are in Thailand. Especially if you are in Bangkok as the previous poster mentioned.

Just enjoy Thailand and go for some sightseeing runs. If you expect more from your training there you might get utterly disappointed.

Find out if your university has a track that’s open to use. When I studied in Shanghai and xi’an we had tracks everywhere to use. Otherwise, go easy and be prepared to stop a lot when running city streets but also use this opportunity to explore. Learn how to say your address and carry some cash. Run as far as you can and buy water or sugar on the way as needed. When tired or lost, taxi back home.

That’s what I did

I believe we will be staying at a YMCA hotel in Chiang Mai. Here's the address I found:

11 Mengrairasmee Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

You seem to be very knowledgeable about Thailand, so maybe you know this area.

I have been to Thailand several times-- the main issue is the heat/humidity - since you will be outside Bangkok you will have lots more options

https://greatruns.com/location/chiang-mai-thailand/

jansmiller14 wrote:

I believe we will be staying at a YMCA hotel in Chiang Mai. Here's the address I found:

11 Mengrairasmee Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

You seem to be very knowledgeable about Thailand, so maybe you know this area.

Finding a track can be a godsend when training in the developing world since running on the streets is so often a non-starter. Second on heat and humidity: it's just not practical to get in many quality sessions when the dewpoint is over 60 for nine months of the year. It's like running inside of someone's mouth.

jansmiller14 wrote:You seem to be very knowledgeable about Thailand, so maybe you know this area.

Yes, but mostly Bangkok as that is where I lived. Lucky for you you are staying on the NE part of Chiang Mai outside of the Gate as you could go out to the 700 year Stadium quite easily. There are three tracks out there and a lot of people exercise there in the mornings and evenings. You will find a lot of runners in that area as well. The place where you are staying can help you get the right bus or "songthaew" to get out to the stadium. Just tell them you want to go here: สนามเชียงใหม่ 700 ปี I have run out there a few times when I was in Chiang Mai and it was nice. You will be doing a lot of laps of the area to get in some distance. The complex was originally built for the 1995 SEA Games and was also used for the 1998 Asian Games.