So I have arrived for my annual holiday in Italy. It wont be the first time I brought my running shoes, but this time I am taking my training more seriously than I have done in previous years. As you may have already read, I am running now consistently for 2 years. My previous running attempts were not very good in hindsight, and certainly not very well planned.
It is now Monday, and my first run was on Sunday the 28th July, from Celle Ligure to Albisola, and back again. It was 5.87k in total, with an average pace of 5.47km, moving timer 34 minutes and an average heart rate on 161bpm. This by all accounts was an easy run in many ways. It was a clear 20degrees, with 86% humidity being the only downside.
Coming from Ireland, this was a hot day for me, and in preparation for this I woke at 6:30am to venture out on my routine. The terrain was relatively flat, and mostly footpath.
Italy is a wonderful place to run, especially in a nice area like this one. I would recommend to run early in the morning and keep an eye on the temperature the evening before. Make sure not to venture out during the day, unless you are an experienced runner who is used to high temperatures. What most people don’t consider in Italy is the humidity levels. 20degrees can feel like 26. During the daytime the average temperature is 28degrees, adding the humidity factor can create a felt temperature of 34degrees. This while running is an issue and one I would rather avoid.
I did not have much time to take in my views on my run. The surface was flat but there were some parts where a step presented itself without much warning. There was also an old train track through a tunnel that was dark, so I had to be mindful not to fall. There was more people out than I imagined there would be at this time. I guess they had a similar idea to me and wanted to avoid running in high temperatures.
After the run, I came straight back for some much needed electrolytes and a shower. I sipped at some water for the remainder of the day, and I did not feel 100% again until after lunch time. This is the effect adverse weather conditions can have on your body.
I avoided alcohol for the remainder of the day and tried to rest as much as possible to avoid injuries and cramps. The pain I was experiencing in my left knee miraculously disappeared and I put it down to the warm weather on my joints. I will continue to take precautions on my next run, as I become familiar with my temporary environment.
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