Going to Hefei next week the USA consulate pollution index is crazy high. Also going to SH (pollution is 'normal high') I figure jogging in these conditions is 'just going backwards' any thoughts?

Hotel gyms were invented for a reason.

But seriously, on an "unhealthy for sensitive groups" pollution day or below, I'll go jogging. Any higher than that, and I'll stick to exercising indoors.

The hotels I stay at, are not western brands. Even Chinese 5* hotels don't usually get the 'gym' thing (they may have a few machines but many times not worth the while)

Also, is there in a closed gym better than outdoor air? (maybe air at 20th floor is different). My thinking is exercising is pushing a lot more air through my lungs so if it isn't clean enough, whats the point?

Run ideas in SH? 15km jog (prefer one way and take metro back). Start peoples square area (have not figured out a good way to cross to Pudong from there while jogging

List of Shanghai Runs....

I run every day in shanghai and have for 4+ years. I'm still alive.

Of course, even the most diehard 40-60 cigarettes a day smoker could say the same thing after 4 years!

tb

Do you know where I can run across the river (bridge with pedestrian crossing)

depending on my perceived air quality aiming for a 1 way 15-20km run . (i'll return metro or taxi)

Well, almost everyday (of the days I am there which is a lot)

I don't know of an easy way over the bridges on foot. If you want to run and cross the river I'd just take the subway from People's Square to Lujiazui and do the entire run on the Pudong side. I ran from the new Mandarin Oriental to the Expo 2010 China Pavilion and back this weekend. It's mostly along the water and save for the first kilometer or so it's fairly empty of cars and people. You go under the Nanpu bridge. It's about 19-20K for the out and back and you can just hop on the subway after and get back to People's square.

Much better for a long run than running in Puxi where you are always dodging people unless you're in the French Concession. I'm now planning on doing all my long runs along the waterfront in Pudong, nice views, better traffic and a bit better environment. My weekday runs are from Jing'an thru the French concession but I'm always dodging people if I run the the evening.

Name one.

Can't you just run along Suzhou Creek?

You seriously think that smoking 40-60 cigarettes a day will kill you within 4 years? I have personally treated hundreds of smokers, who died from their disease -- 20-50 years after starting to smoke.

My point was that certain harmful toxins don't manifest themselves immediately. We tend to over-estimate the risk of things that harm us immediately (e.g. the risk of a 'plane crashing) but under-estimate the risks of long-term harm (smoking, pollution, global warming).

tb

But merely to indulge you...

one and more.

tb

I guess I thought wrong.
Never heard of anyone smoking 3 packs a day for that length of time. Maybe 2 as you mentioned in your links.

yes, it did kill her -- after 30+ years....http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ed-60-day.html

To put the pollution in context, however, I think even at its worst, it's not as bad as smoking 1 cigarette a day -- studies have shown smoking 1 a day will definitely reduce life expectancy (as will pollution), so it's not benign, but I do laugh at smokers who look at horror at our living in BJ!

tb