Seems like such hard work at the moment...

[runningnearbeirut]

Well I'm back to literally running near Beirut, and it is SUCH hard work. So far I've managed to get out in the early(ish) morning when it's not actually been "too" hot, but it still feels really hot and my route seems really steep. Haven't managed to run for the full 30 minutes in any of my 3 runs so far, even though I've been going significantly slower than I was in the UK. I've been finding it SO hard to breathe and I think you'd be able to fry an egg on my face when I get back!

Next week I'll have to be out of the house by 7:30 in the morning, so I don't think I'll manage to run (and recover) before that and I'm not looking forward to running in the late afternoon/early evening - it's so much hotter but I have to be back before it gets dark at about 7 (potholes and not many street lights and power cuts on alternate evenings even if there are street lights!).

Maybe I'm just moaning. If I wake early enough on Saturday morning, I may drive down to the city and try running along the sea front. Much flatter!

(Pic shows part of the steep "down" part near the start of my route. What goes down has to go back up - although not as steeply as this!)

[sarah-b Graduate]

Wow that looks really tough - I think you have the right to moan! Running along the sea front sounds like a great idea though. Good luck!

[Beek Graduate]

Have they any gyms out there? With air/con of course?

[runningnearbeirut Graduate in reply to Beek]

Hmm, good idea thanks, although I don't know how well I'd cope with running on a treadmill - and I'd need to look for a ladies only one/session... worth looking into, but my budget is kind of tight too. Anyway, it'll be significantly cooler in a couple of months so hopefully it'll be more bearable!

[suzybenj Graduate]

Having just come back from spain - and running in the heat is not much fun - and i also had plenty of hills to contend with- but that looks like a monster. So to achieve running I broke it up - more like interval training really - say run for five -walk for one min But run for a total of 30 mins. I also did the interval speed podcast quite a lot. Not brillant - but enabled me to keep at it and feel like i was getting out there and enjoying it! I did drive to some flatter cooler runs if time permits.

best of luck

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Hi RNB you aren't moaning at all your telling us how it is and I have to say that hill and road surface does not look much fun at all. The pavements hold the heat of the day in the middle east for hours so I know how important it would be to get out first thing in the mornings. What ever you do with to regards to your running stay safe that's the most important thing. I don't think I will ever complain about our pavements again after seeing your photo. Take care.

[ancientrunner Graduate]

I feel exhausted just looking at that route- I can feel the heat. Good Luck - hope the seafront is better for you. Linda

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. Had a much better run by the sea today!