Running in Bruge and Amsterdam?

Coming from someone who freaks out if I skip the gym more than 2 days in a row, don't worry about running -- you're on vacation for a reason! To relax! Plus, you'll spend hours walking and probably cover more miles than you could ever run.

Last time I went to Moscow, I was there over 2 weeks, and ate probably twice as much as I do here. When I came back, guess what? I actually lost a couple of pounds. Most likely because the food was less processed, and I was walking, walking, walking every day. I know everyone's body is different, but I don't really think you'll gain 5lbs.

Pamela, i totally agree with Anna, in all my past trips to Europe, i came back i had lost close to 5 pounds each time, and i ate and drank everything i wanted. The amount of walking and climbing to the top of everything, makes up for the food and drinks! Have fun!

My amsterdam bruge paris trip was a great weight loss success, despite not trying too. I ate chocolate breakfast lunch dinner. I drank the thickest heartiest beers. I ate pomme frites with globs of mayo. I ate waffles loaded with the most sugary stuff. I did not deprive myself what so ever. That was a 10 day trip. I came home 5 lbs lighter. Traveling is exhausting to begin with and may be made worse by extracurricular exercise. Save the disipline for America, baby!

Congrats on the weight loss. I would agree with the rest of the responders. While on your vacation (which sounds great, by the way), you will be doing enough walking, step climbing, and standing to burn off the calories. I also ate anything and everything and came back just as I left. I am a runner myself and actually was sore the first couple of days of my vacations from all the walking and stair climbing (you use different muscles, but use muscles non the less).

If you are really worried about it and are feeling like a blob once there, perhaps you could rent a bike a couple of the days (you could bike in sandals or boots). The Low Countries are great for biking and you'll kill two birds with one stone (a little touring and a little exercise).

Thanks for the suggestions. I really, don't want four pairs of shoes! ; ) I love the idea about biking. And I too have lost weight in the past, but in the past I wasn't working out this much already. Pam

I haven't gone running in those cities, but only because I haven't visited them (yet).

I'm a runner, though not the over-the-top high-mileage kind. But I LOVE to run on vacations. I typically wake before the rest of my family, so that's my chance to get a run in and see parts of the city, or countryside that we haven't explored yet. I usually run at about 7 am, and at that time, even the big cities tend to be relatively quiet (in Paris, it was me and a garbage man outside Notre Dame; in Florence, I saw the sun rise over the city from Piazza Michelangelo in the company of the vendors just beginning to set up). I tend to stop a lot to admire the views, and usually only run 2-3 miles. I check out places we might want to visit later in the day, or stores, or restaurants.

I really don't run on vacation to stay in shape, but it does help with that, as well, of course. I also find that because of the different posture in running vs. walking, it helps loosen my muscles after days of walking throughout the day. AND after a big meal the night before, my digestive system seems to like all the bouncing around before I load it up with more great European food!

The down side, as you note, is taking the extra pair of shoes. I don't wear sneakers except for running, so I rarely wear them on vacation any time other than when I'm running. But I've realized that for me, they're a vacation necessity. One option, depending on your shoe situation: If you don't already own walking boots for Scotland, you could consider buying trail running shoes (especially if you might wear them after vacation). They would work for walking in Scotland, and while not perfect for running on streets, they would work for that, too, and you wouldn't have to take 4 pairs of shoes.

Nope I have good walking boots, and i wouldn't really recommend going for anything lighter. The trails that we hit are rocky and wet so there's nothing like have a good water proof boot with a thick sole to keep you going on boggy path that is headed up to the rocks. ; ) You raise an excellent point, though, about a different view of the city in the AM. That when I had been thinking that I would run if I did.

Pam

Hi Pam, I say bring the running shoes! I do triathons and when we went over the pond I took my shoes with me for morning runs. It was fun. Good running shoes don't weigh that much. Here's a thought. Buy a pair over there. It could be a adventure.

P.S congrats on the weight loss. 20 pounds is awesome!

All the best, Monte

If a guy can sneak a point of view in here:
A) Don't plan to purchase shoes on your trip unless money is of no concern. We just returned from Bruge and Amsterdam and we particularly noted that shoe/sandal prices were very high.
B) Both of these locations have wonderful areas where you would enjoy your workout.
C) Is it possible to forego the closed toe shoes? In a pinch (unlikely - when are you traveling?)you could wear the running shoes.
D) You're right about the beer. Also try flemish stew in Bruge.
Enjoy!