COVID-19 years 2020~22 Run Down

It has been a while since the last post was made. The usual race event calendar was suspended. Virtual dispersed race took its place through race apps. Although more people may end up running as there is not much else to do without congregating, it doesn't feel the same without huge running events. Introspectively, it has its good aspects. More people picked up walking/running exercise, runners took their time to rest and heal. Personally, I took the time to relook on what I can do running alone. 

During those times when we were permitted to step outside to run alone while most of the population is working from home, I found new goals.

• Run slow and enjoy. Not sure if my defense have been compromised already without symptoms. 
• Run in the rain with my five fingers. Took shelter immediately upon during thunder or lightning. 
• Run Fun in the Sun. Be hydrated and aware of early signs of possible heat related stress.

Running in the sun in particular was a crazy thing I did without regrets. It was an about turn for me in avoiding the sun. I have no love for running in the sun earlier. Watching Ironman triathletes' expression on TV in Kona, Hawaii during the run stage in the blazing sun on the lava fields already gave me discomfort. I also remembered the Standard chartered marathons' 10 am sun beating on my back, bringing me closer to the 'faint zone'. 

What changed? I wanted to beef up my body's natural immunity system which direct sunlight  with UV-B spectrum can help bring about. For the past 15 years, I was made aware of lowered immunity through health check. Lately, the symptoms ware more frequent and pronounced. My skin will itch simply after hot shower, my nose would run after swimming, would cough barely an hour into my bedtime. 

Benefits article: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-vitamin-d#1.-Vitamin-D-may-fight-disease

What to prepare for the running in the sun? I chose short distance of not more than 5km starting even shorter at 2km and slower building up. I would wait for no cloud cover usually around noon or at 4pm. Down a glass of water, wear a spacious singlet and  put on my wrap around sunglasses. I found the sun glasses made a psychological impact. I do not mentally feel uncomfortable due to brightness equals heat. It gets less hot when there is reasonable air flow around the body. Noon runs are usually without  breeze, so running continuously would create the airflow and less hot than near stationary. Start with a slower pace and listen to your body as always. 

After half a year of once a week UV-B sunning, the shower skin itch, bedtime cough and running nose have ceased. Of course, I can't clinically prove cause and effect and also not totally sure  of other significant factors which could have contributed. One word of caution from health articles reminder not to over do sunning oneself as it have negative effects on health.