On attempting to do a Beijing Runaround

June 5, 2013 by |Blog|Comments (42)

IMG_6556

While I did get a chance to sorta swim in the Olympic Water Cube here in Beijing, I really also wanted to enjoy a few nice runs.  In fact, the day I went swimming the weather was beautiful, and weather-like things were also quite good.  As you can see above, it was a rather nice day!

Unfortunately, that lasted only about 8 more hours.  Why you ask?  Well, Beijing is well known as the city with the worst air pollution in the world.  Historically people may have just taken a swag at things and gone about their business.  But in today’s day and age, information on just how bad is everywhere.  In fact, it’s updated hourly here in Beijing.

See, every hour on the hour the current air quality index (AQI) is published.  There’s a few different numbers that are published, but the one most people follow is the AQI.  The lower the better, the higher the worse.  It’s color coded and relatively easy to follow:

image

Above 500 it just converts to “Beyond Index”, which happened back in January (more on that in a second).

Which then corresponds with some structured guidance:

image

The data comes from two sources.  First is from the local government at two reporting sites in the city.  And the second is from the US Embassy.  In many cases, the local government variant tends to be more ‘optimistic’ than the US Embassy – for example, the local source won’t list values over 500.  That said, I generally saw them track fairly close while I’ve been here.  And they never approached ‘Crazy bad’ levels.

image

As I noted above data is published hourly on the hour (though, it actually hits feeds at 15 minutes past the hour), and then is digested into a slew of websites and apps that people can download and track.  For me, I just used the website and updated as required.  Here’s what the numbers looked like over the course of Saturday afternoon – only a bit of uptick around 6-8PM:

IMG_1337

In fact, that’s not too bad mid-afternoon.  I looked later on at NYC and it was actually a bit higher at that point, and various parts of LA were also higher.  So, things aren’t always horrible.

On Sunday morning I was all ready to go out and run a nice 10-12 mile run.  Unfortunately, just before sunrise the numbers rose quickly and steadily, well past the ‘healthy’ or ‘moderate’ zones.  I figured that it’d get better as the day goes on since being a Sunday there would be less traffic, as it seemed to do that on the previous days.  Unfortunately, it only got worse.  And further worse.  And then flat-out bad.  This was the one time were the Chinese information had actually pegged it a bit higher at 315ish if I remember.

IMG_1352

It ended up being the highest recording I’ve seen while here.  This is what it looked like out my hotel window.  Remember, not fog, but smog.  A sorta smokey tasting smog.

IMG_1350

I was bummed, I had an awesome route planned out.  I was going to start on the Olympic Green and swing past the Birds Nest stadium, a slew of other venue, and then up into the parks north of there.  Would have been an awesome route.

Not all was lost though,  I did spend some time on Saturday within the Olympic Stadium.  These days, you can pay about $7 to go in and wander around, and it’s actually kept up fairly well.

IMG_6524

IMG_6530

IMG_6533

IMG_6549

You can even rent a Segway and ride laps around it:

IMG_6540

Or, just do as I did and wander all the way up by my lonesome to the very top decks and last row:

IMG_6562

On my planned route I would have also swung past the wall of medalists.  This wall seems quite similar to the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC, but instead lists all the Gold/Silver/Bronze medalists for each event.  Both Olympics and Paralympics:

IMG_6587

IMG_6590

Unfortunately, with the air simply unsafe, I stayed inside for my ‘vigorous activity’.  I used a rough AQI cutoff of ‘150’ as my limit for running outside.  That roughly matched with what various governing bodies recommended for athletic exposure during intense exercise.  Of course, it’s always hard to understand what someone’s definition of ‘intense’ is – but better safe than sorry I suppose.

So treadmill it was and hotel gym it was.

IMG_6765

Almost 90 minutes of warm and fanless fun:

IMG_6742

On Tuesday I was really hoping things would clear up for a long interval run.  I could still pretty much use the same route and just do it interval style.  But again, no love in the land of smog.

So, again back to the treadmill.

IMG_6785

I did learn quite a bit though about various Chinese endeavors, since the only English channel on the treadmill was the national Chinese news station.  I can tell you all about the current Presidential trip to Central America and Costa Rican diplomatic relations.  Or about the impact of talks between Japan and India.

IMG_6830

I loved that the hotel had these headphones instead of the ones that go into your ear.  I’ve never had good luck with those and treadmills.  These just worked.

IMG_6827

My Tuesday night workout ended just before 1AM.  Just the way it worked out schedule-wise with conference calls that night.

IMG_6817

During my stay I also learned that if you’re tall, you should bend down and see what exactly the difference is between the two water spouts before you put your hand under to simply feel which one was cold water.

IMG_6819

It turns out if you go down to child-height, you then see a little red ‘Don’t touch’ symbol.  I discovered that the hard way.  Turns out the don’t touch water spout is really damn hot.  Like McDonald’s coffee-pot hot.  I was a sad panda for a while.

IMG_6821

With my run completed I grabbed some product shots for upcoming reviews.  It’s sorta nice having an empty gym at 1AM.  Nobody staring at you while you take 28 almost-identical shots trying to get just the perfect one that illustrates a given point.

IMG_6800

After that, I headed back to my room and spent hours catching up on things.  Beijing is 12 hours ahead of the US East Coast, which means you never really get a break from it.  I ended up just staying up all night, as my flight is at 6:45AM this morning (about 48 minutes from now as I type this), so I figure I’ll sleep on the nearly 11 hours back home via Zurich.

Sorry there wasn’t a Beijing Runaround this time – but fear not, I’m sure I’ll be back and “weather” permitting, I’ll be at it trying again!

Thanks for reading!

FOUND THIS POST USEFUL? SUPPORT THE SITE!

Hopefully, you found this post useful. The website is really a labor of love, so please consider becoming a DC RAINMAKER Supporter. This gets you an ad-free experience, and access to our (mostly) bi-monthly behind-the-scenes video series of “Shed Talkin’”.

Support DCRainMaker - Shop on Amazon

Otherwise, perhaps consider using the below link if shopping on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but your purchases help support this website a lot. It could simply be buying toilet paper, or this pizza oven we use and love.

Share
Tweet
Share
0 Shares
Tags: , , ,

Related Posts

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked.
If you would like a profile picture, simply register at Gravatar, which works here on DCR and across the web.

Click here to Subscribe without commenting

Add a picture

*

42 Comments

  1. Chi
    June 5, 2013 at 2:09 am #1

    Hi Ray, yes I am a guy lived in the city with worst air pollution. The air becomes worse these years. If you want to take a outdoor jogging, I strongly recommend Olympic Forest Park. Its source gate is on the subway line 8. And it is the most famous park for non professional runners. You will find 3km/5km/10km routes there and the air is normally better than outside due to the plants. The open hours are about 7:00AM~9:00PM.
    BTW, I like your blog very much and learned very useful information about running and gadgets.

    Reply
  2. Champ
    June 5, 2013 at 2:22 am #2

    good call for not going out in that air.

    Reply
  3. Mans
    June 5, 2013 at 4:45 am #3

    Grin… did those concept2 rowers had PM4’s? if they did you could have paired them with your 910XT/ant+ hrm. :D

    *wonders what your 2k time is :P *

    Reply
  4. Running Junkie
    June 5, 2013 at 5:35 am #14

    You don’t seem to having too much luck in Beijing with the workouts. But what difference does it make running outdoors or walking to tour the olympic stadium? You’re outdoors and breathing the same muck into your lungs either way.

    Reply
    • Ray Maker
      June 5, 2013 at 5:37 am #15

      The photos outdoors were from Saturday (low-AQI day), not Sunday (high-AQI day).

      That said, you’re consuming far more oxygen running at high intensity than a leisurely walk.

      Reply
    • Eli
      June 5, 2013 at 9:25 am #16

      While you’re breathing more (higher breath rate) you’re also breathing deeper. The deep breathing means the small pollution particles can get much deeper in your lungs

      Reply
    • John
      June 5, 2013 at 3:42 pm #17

      It is a bad idea to go outside at all most days in Beijing. Locals tend to wear face mask filters, but these have been shown to have very limited effectiveness. Exercise of course makes it worse, since you are breathing that much harder.

      Reply
  5. Joseph Coureur
    June 5, 2013 at 7:53 am #18

    I had the same problem with Beijing when I was in China to run the Great Wall Marathon. On the first day in the hotel I was afraid to go outside since I literally couldn’t see across the street for all the smog. I ended up with a very short run along the river after the marathon just to stretch my legs, but with the heat and pollution, I kept it very short.

    Reply
  6. Bob Quindazzi
    June 5, 2013 at 10:08 am #19

    I’m curious as to the difference in air quality indoors as opposed to outdoors. Does the hotel have a filtration system designed for the local pollutants?

    Reply
  7. Mark
    June 5, 2013 at 11:12 am #20

    Any idea why bevan Docherty is not listed on the wall for the bronze medal?

    Reply
    • Ray Maker
      June 5, 2013 at 11:24 am #21

      He is, it’s just wrapped around at the top of the next chunk – about about 2 meters higher on the next panel.

      Reply
  8. derek
    June 5, 2013 at 11:18 am #22

    Cool photos of the olympic stadium; did you use your Panasonic Lumix or the DSL? (I ask partly because I’m in the market for a smaller, non-DSL). Thanks! Love the site, I’m a regular.

    Reply
    • Ray Maker
      June 5, 2013 at 11:25 am #23

      The stadium shots are all with the DSLR (Canon 7D). Actually, everything in this post is from the DSLR (except computer screen shots). A bit of a rarity for a single post to be all DSLR.

      Reply
  9. Efraim Shaw
    June 5, 2013 at 2:33 pm #24

    I just purchased the TS4 for my cross country ride. I’m practicing taking pictures like you do: on the run or ride!

    Reply
  10. Alex
    June 5, 2013 at 9:00 pm #25

    Where is Kiwi Bevan Docherty on the wall for medals?

    Reply
  11. Jase
    June 5, 2013 at 9:16 pm #27

    I feel your pain Ray. Living in Shanghai I’ve cancelled a heap of runs and rides.
    Over a year, not as bad as Beijing though…

    Reply
  12. Harri
    June 6, 2013 at 4:46 am #28

    The air quality here sucks. On a side note, I think the Chinese and US use different scale for the AQI. I usually follow the PM2.5 concentrations, and they track each other really well. However, Beijing is totally awesome for road cycling! The very nearby mountains offer amazing roads with very little traffic. Also the air quality there is almost always a fair bit better. Drop me a note and if you have time on your next trip here would be very happy to take you for a ride!

    Reply
  13. Erlingur
    June 6, 2013 at 10:11 am #29

    All DSLR – even the workout bunker selfie?

    Reply
    • Ray Maker
      June 6, 2013 at 3:10 pm #30

      Yup, even that. :)

      Reply
    • Eli
      June 6, 2013 at 3:20 pm #31

      And still not a low enough f stop so the background could be slightly out of focus with the treadmill in crisp focus while your legs could be slightly blurry from a slower shutter speed? Then the eye would be more attracted to the motion blur part. :-p

      Reply
    • Ray Maker
      June 6, 2013 at 4:14 pm #32

      Yeah, I only gave it about 3-4 shots of trying to take it pre-run. Each one required getting off the treadmill, adjusting, getting on, running, finding the framing or stride note quite right and repeating. Eventually I decided for this purpose it was ‘good enough’.

      Actually, one time the bottom of the lens due to the bouncing – bounced onto the belt I thought the camera was a gonner, but the 7D is heavy enough it stayed put, though the lens now is ‘well smoothed’ on the bottom of the lens rim.

      Reply
  14. Matt
    June 6, 2013 at 3:50 pm #33

    Hey look at that!! An Erg (rowing machine) in the background. You don’t see those too often. Amazed that Concept2 is sitting in a hotel in China!

    You want a killer workout, give one of those a try sometime. also awesome for recovery if you are ever nursing a running injury!

    Reply
  15. Lars Kudsk
    June 8, 2013 at 3:46 pm #34

    Hi Rainmaker,

    I follow your blog and I must say that I am very impressed with all your many travels. I really like your blog and learn a lot from your posts and I am always well entertained. Don’t misunderstand me – I believe what your are writing but I was just wondering: In the above post you write “…as my flight is at 6:45AM this morning (about 48 minutes from now as I type this)…” – how it’s possible for you to reach your flight within 48 minutes in a city like Beijing (a lot of traffic and a big airport)?

    Reply
  16. Lars Kudsk
    June 8, 2013 at 4:04 pm #36

    ahhh stupid me. I thought you were on the hotel while writing the post – airport wifi make sense and is pretty useful :o) Thanks for quick response

    Reply
    • Ray Maker
      June 8, 2013 at 8:14 pm #37

      I started writing it at the hotel, took a taxi, and then finished writing it at airport. Unfortunately, the WiFi was too slow for everything to upload before I had to get onboard, so didn’t publish till Zurich some 10-11 hours later. :(

      Reply
  17. Chen Yang
    April 22, 2014 at 10:22 am #38

    Why do you believe the air quality indoors is much better than outside? Is there any science facts?

    Reply
    • Ray Maker
      April 22, 2014 at 11:18 am #39

      Uhh, yeah, it’s pretty well proven. Starting with fact that most businesses (and residences) have air filters designed for exactly that purpose. Heck, even the Chinese government recommends staying indoors because the air quality is better.

      Reply
  18. David
    March 22, 2016 at 6:30 pm #40

    I know this post is kind of old. I didn’t see anything newer. But have you ever done a run around at the Beijing airport? I’ve got a layover there in a few days and was wondering if it could work out logistically. (I know you’ve done it at other airports).

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Ray Maker
      March 22, 2016 at 7:10 pm #41

      No, never done one from the airport. Only from the downtown areas a few times.

      That said, in looking at Strava, there appears to be a ton of segments perhaps 1-2KM to the West of the airport, which is usually a good indicator of a good spot to run.

      link to strava.com

      Reply
    • Dr D
      March 22, 2016 at 7:34 pm #42

      @David – another good source of places where folks run (or bike) is from strava labs. I just pulled up a view of runs around Beijing International Airport – link to labs.strava.com

      I hope this helps too.

      Reply