Category Archives: London

Friday Favorites (Favourites) #7 – London Edition

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It’s already Friday and it’s the start of my 3rd day in London. With Josh at work yesterday and today, I’m trying really hard to not exert myself. I love London and would love to walk all around the city like I did the last time I was here, especially since the weather is so nice but I am reminding myself that I don’t want to be tired and repeat what happened in Chicago. We have a couple of days in London after the race, so hopefully I will be well enough to sightsee then. Regardless, I’m loving my casual time in London and attempting to keep my marathon nerves at bay.

Carb loading

It’s too bad I can’t be as creative with food options, but I am enjoying the hunt for carbs in the city.

Smoked haddock risotto with spinach and a poached egg

Smoked haddock risotto with spinach and a poached egg

Steak and arugula (rocket) pizza

Steak and arugula (rocket) pizza

Mushroom and arugula (rocket) filled pasta with mozzarella and pesto sauce

Mushroom and arugula (rocket) filled pasta with mozzarella and pesto sauce

Light walking around the city

I walked all around the Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street area the last time I was here but it just never gets old. It’s a short walk from our hotel and I ventured in that direction for lunch yesterday. I love the architecture of the buildings and double-decker buses. I just really love London.

Such neat architecture on Regent Street and beautiful blue sky

Such neat architecture on Regent Street and beautiful blue sky

I love the buses. I'm a dork but they look cooler than the MTA ones.

I love the buses. I’m a dork but they look cooler than the MTA ones.

Morning yoga in the hotel room

Josh had to carry my new travel yoga mat in his suitcase since mine was overweight. I needed to keep up with my morning yoga routine and was too lame to just use a towel on the hotel room floor, hence the travel mat. It folds nicely into a suitcase but is still two pounds and when every pound matters, two pounds is still too heavy. However, I love it and works perfectly over the carpeted room floor. In addition to yoga this morning, I was able to foam roll on it a little as well.

See the iPad/YouTube set up and me being a dork taking the picture in the mirror?

See the iPad/YouTube set up and me being a dork taking the picture in the mirror?

Short run and Hyde Park

It’s fun to meet up with someone you know in a foreign country and go for a run. James and I went on our short run yesterday afternoon in gorgeous 60 degree weather in Hyde Park. There was so many people out on bikes, horseback riding, and just lounging around.

I love the phone booths too.

I love the phone booths too.

New Hyde Park Gardens

Hyde Park Gardens

Just chillin’

And for now, I’m just chillin’, getting caught up on the blog, work emails, and relaxing.

View while blogging, except all the toast is gone now since I am carb loading.

View while blogging, except all the toast is gone now since I am carb loading.

Happy Friday and weekend everyone!

London Marathon Expo

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First, congratulations to all Boston Marathon runners from Monday! Especially my coach and teammates, Brian, Carol, and Amanda who set a new PR! I loved watching all the coverage on TV and tracking everyone virtually.

IMG_2814Sorry for the delayed post. It was a busy week at work. I worked 9 straight days and in the middle of that, I was furiously trying to pack and organize everything for the race (and P.S. packing in a rush is a bad idea, I already realized that I left a couple of items at home). We made it into London yesterday morning and after a short stop at the hotel to check-in, grab some lunch, and a short nap, our first stop was the expo.

IMG_2815I love London and how it easy it is get around. We made it to ExCeL in 30 minutes from Central London. I’m very glad we went to the expo on the first day as it wasn’t terribly crowded. I picked up my bib, timing tag for the shoe, and kitbag easily. We walked through the whole expo and I even partook in some of the picture spots and booths.

IMG_2816I loved seeing the World Marathon Majors exhibits especially the one with the finisher names of those who participated in London and the other World Majors. Someone will need to run the London Marathon next year and send me a picture of the wall with my name on it. I took a picture of everyone who finished all the majors. That’s a big goal of mine, though I’m sure it will be a little while before I make it on that list. Also, there was a booth for a virtual mile on a treadmill for the World Major Marathons. So cool, too bad (or maybe better for me) I didn’t have running shoes on otherwise, I would have accumulated too many extra miles yesterday.

IMG_2817I purchased the jacket that I was eyeing (I will share a picture when I wear it after the race). I even sampled the Lucozade (Gatorade equivalent) and water that will be available on the course. After spending almost 2 hours walking around, we were both exhausted and made our way back for dinner.

What a great first day in London. More to come!

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