:(

Running yesterday was a bad idea. I felt my ankle steady during the run but today it hurts so much at places where it shouldn’t and the ankle is swollen again. I think my mind knew that it wasn’t ready because by the pain I realize I pretty much put all the pressure on my other side. People also called me crazy today, several times for hitting the running field again. Moreover, I feel extreme stiff both in my thighs, damn … this is 2,5 weeks without training. I think I may gave up on my plan to run the 8.3km on Dec 11 and put running aside for another 2 weeks… :( Health first, right?

Run!!!

This afternoon my dad told me to pick up his shoes from the Plaza and I was thinking that I might go for a power walk before since I desperately ‘crave’ active exercise. (the term belongs to SkinnyMinnie (: ) The weather was ugly, very foggy and wet but I put on my workout gear just in case. I spent the last two days reading online material about running after injury so I won’t lie that that was my goal. I did a thorough warm-up but I was afraid of the leaves on the already slippery pavement. First I aimed for 4 times 5 minute run, 3-4 minute walk. I was very careful. Right after I started running I realized that my ankle didn’t feel weird at all, just a little powerless which is no wonder after 2,5 weeks rest. So, I ended up running 2 times 15 minutes, with a 3 minute walk in between just to be sure I wouldn’t push my current limits too hard. The second 15 minutes were a bit faster but I tried to calm myself, don’t freak out, you’re running! Again! (:

So I didn’t want to risk to do a longer workout. I might calculate the distance later (approx. 4,5km I guess) but I’m still thrilled. It was quite sentimental, since my workout finished with the song, Whatever it Takes by Lifehouse. Now I’m enjoying a warm tea and put a bag of ice on my ankle just to prevent any swollenness. I try to take it slow, but … YAY! (:


Edit: I calculated my run and it was 4.35km (2.7miles). Post injury, it's not that bad.

Running Budapest by night

This week was quite optimal for running. Finally I could find the time to catch up on my c25k schedule and even more, I managed to find a running buddy! The idea was very random since I’ve been feeling the lack of motivation towards the lonely workouts. Now, motivation hit me again!

So after our cruel Wednesday evening class with a dedicated friend we decided to hit the pavement on the lovely Andrassy street. I wish we could find a place with trail but since last week it is already dark around 5pm and Andrassy street is relatively the most lighted place we could come up with. On the other hand usually when I’m running in Budapest I mostly run on the riverside of the Danube, where are hardly any people to notice, usually runners or walkers. But with Andrassy street and Oktogon that was a totally different thing. It was funny that we were worried about stepping out into the crowd in our running gear. Oktogon was crowded but then when we were running beside the old diplomatic buildings it became nice.

I was surprised to realise how much we could run without stopping. We ran from Oktogon to Heroes’ square, then into Vajdahunyad castle, and then back. With some calculations it was a 4.52km (~2.8miles) all together, interrupted with 2 smaller walks if I remember well. 30 minutes later we arrived back to the apartment as two energetic bombs. Seriously, it felt amazing! We decided that we would make a habit of this running get-together.

Two days later my legs weren’t so tired so I went for a run on Friday, and I plan to go for an other one in half an hour. However, I did realise since the local temperature is getting lower and lower I really need to buy some warm thing for my ears. Any ideas? Also, please if you know any good mapping application or site for measuring running distances, please drop me a line, it would be greatly appreciated. Cheers. (:

Awake.

Run!

It’s amazing that in running how a person’s stamina can improve in such short term. I remember my first run, I hardly could jog through the 8 * 1 minute sets. I kept checking my watch that how an earth could 60 seconds last an eternity.

However, my fears (knee problems?, am I too heavy to run?) are still on the surface but despite all of this I always look forward to the running days. I found a great training for those who haven’t run in a long time and it seems to cooperate with my annoying (I’d love to believe unnecessary) fears. I thought I’d share in case somebody’s interested (you can also follow my progress):

On the other hand I am very lucky because in Budapest I live on the bank side Danube and nearby there’s a gorgeous running place. It’s not that crowded, less smog because there are no traffic-heavy roads and streets (only an urban train). The view is so lovely I can never get bored of it.

However, I wonder what is going to happen in the next few weeks. We’ve been lucky with the weather so far, amazing indian summer days, lovely sunshine. But chilly days are coming soon...

The first run

So, I know I've been whining about running for a while and since my workouts got a bit neglected today I finally went for it. I found a quite nice 6 week training schedule for 5k, I plan to pursue that one.

It was ... great, but hard. Luckily my legs weren't that heavy as I expected so I could actually run, but it was tiring. I did a 10 minute warm up power walk to the lakes, then 8 times 1 min running 2 min walking. However, it occured to me many times if I ever could run again 10 minutes (I'm not that brave to write down 30 min) without stopping. Right now this seems so far away.

But I also came up with some conclusions for the next workout:

• wear different pants. The one I wore today just wasn't designed for running.
• don't wear my contacts. 'E' suggested this practical one in an email, and today I did realise her point. There were so many people out at the lakes today, just sitting and chatting and only a few runners. I don't care about them, but it's better not to see them. (:
• my iPod shuffle was a great idea to buy. I had an iPod classic but in March I bought this for running. It's a shame it was its first time in action.

Okay, got to go back to study. :(

The science of the ideal weight

Yesterday during my workout I was thinking about running again. But I have doubts that maybe with this much extra weight I'm carrying now it wouldn't be the best idea to start at the moment. I checked out some running schedules a couple days ago and looked for any advice for overweight people. Hardly found any but I read an interview with Sarolta Monspart where she said her training schedule would be optimal for anyone who's maximum 15% overweight.

Okay, here comes my second problem. When I started to have weight issues I was only 16 years old so I cannot compare my ideal weight to those times. I set 66kg / 145lbs as a goal only because two years ago when I lost weight that was the lowest I reached and I felt good at that point. And of course I had to name this blog something. (: Anyway, I googled some weight calculators just to have some aspect in this topic.

Fitness Online calculates with frame size, current weight, gender, age and height. But according to the manual I think my frame size is right between middle and small. So with small frame size my 'ideal weight range' is between 123 and 136, with medium frame size between 133 and 147.

Halls.md calculates with age, gender, height and weight. According to this site my 'ideal weight' is exactly 145.

Health Status says (based on gender and height) that my ideal is supposed to be 143, but the recommended weight range is between 127 and 159.

Health Central (variables are frame size, height, weight) says with the option small frame size that the ideal weight range for me is 138 - 151.8. With the option medium frame size it's 148 - 162.8.

As a comparison, my current BMI is 27.5 (overweight), the goal BMI (for 145lbs) is 22.7. (normal weight)

So as a conclusion I may say that 145 is reasonable in my case. Somehow I think my ideal weight (not theoretically but from previous experience) is below that. But, don't forget the reason I started this whole calculation thing:

if I say that my ideal weight is 145, that means 15% overweight is 166.76 lbs. Right now compared to 145 I'm 21% overweight.

It may sound weird that I calculated so much for something but I used to run and I'm still reading a lot about running. I'm not afraid of my legs, I just want to be careful with my knees. I spent so many time without exercise and I don't want to make a big mistake. Am I too strict to myself?

***

Note: I don't give a damn about the scale numbers actually, I just want to feel good and comfortable in my own skin.