Hello from London! And it’s race week!
monday, october 7
Today was the long-awaited moving day! Lior and I flew to London, took a shuttle service to our apartment, and settled in. The apartment is cute and in a nice area, but up several flights of stairs. My dad said I should consider this part of my marathon training…
After grabbing lunch, Lior and I went to Sainsbury’s to buy groceries and things for the apartment. In the evening we went to Mercato Metropolitano, a large food hall. It was a long, successful day (with no running).
tuesday, october 8
I’m on my own for the next few days, as Lior has a work trip to Sheffield. I unpacked, figured out logistics for garbage disposal and laundry, and tried a local sushi place (verdict: will return). I went out in the afternoon to run a beautiful 5 miles, which started in the rain, but ended with sun. I tested out the Hever 15K windbreaker, and it kept me dry on the outside, but locked the sweat inside…
wednesday, October 9
Today was Yom Kippur, and in the evening, I participated in an easy shakeout run in partnership with lululemon. The event ended late, so post-event nachos were much appreciated! I don’t think I’ll be running in Hyde Park after dark again, unless I’m with a group. In my opinion, the park wasn’t very well-lit.
thursday, October 10
Today I woke up a bit later than usual (…but it doesn’t matter, because I’m on vacation!) and went for a 5 mile run around Hyde Park. During my run, I saw wild green parakeets similar to the ones in Park Hayarkon…these birds must have evolved to deal with the cold, because there was definitely a chill in the air. I assume they hybernate? Or they’ve evolved to survive and are plotting mankind’s demise…
In the evening, Lior and I went to Taqueria, a local Mexican restaurant. The food was good, but the prices were high for the portion sizes we received.
friday, october 11
Another later than normal wake-up…I’m seriously considering starting to set an alarm next week, to get my body on more of a schedule. Today I ran 4 miles, trying out a different route in Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park. Today was my second day testing out a new hydration vest that I purchased. I think I finally have everything situated the way I like, so I can comfortably drink and the tube isn’t bouncing around while I run! Below are some views from my run!
In the evening, Lior and I went to Dinerama, another mostly-covered food hall, this time in Shoreditch. I was hangry, and inhaled my kebab.
Enjoying some gin and tonics at Dinerama
saturday, October 12
No running today–instead, Lior and I were tourists! After picking up my Royal Parks Half bib, we joined a walking tour through Westminster–including Buckingham Palace, St. James Palace, Clarence House, and Westminster Abbey. We saw Big Ben, but sadly it’s covered in scaffolding, undergoing its first reburbishment in the 160 years of its existence. Bummer! The tour was fun, and the guide shared a lot of information, without shoving it down our throats.
We then returned to Shoreditch, visiting Boxpark (a series of shipping containers turned into stores), Brick Lane (a cool street with interesting stores–including delicious vegan donuts and corned beef/salt beef sandwiches), Spitalfields Market (covered shopping area where I bought a loud, neon yellow sweater that I LOVE), and a few other markets. We then had a drink in a pub, before returning home. We cooked our first dinner in the apartment, which was tasty, but difficult because we’re working out of a kitchenette.
sunday, October 13
Today I ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon! I’m not thrilled with the time, but it’s what I trained for, and the course was beautiful. Lior and I made lunch at home, and after I napped and he worked, we went to dinner at a nearby restaurant.
total distance: 34.6 miles
This was a full week! I dealt with a lot of anxiety due to the move, and I hope that this will change/lessen as I settle in to life here.
Stay tuned! My next week involves some chill running, meeting Lior’s coworkers, and an international trip! On Saturday, I’m taking the train to Amsterdam for a 10 day trip to Amsterdam and Paris, with my friend Camille! While there, I’ll explore, eat amazing food, and run the TCS Amsterdam 8K and La Voie Royale 10K (in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris).