Said the lady at the Bologna baggage check in when the very polite check in desk lady asked her where her passport was. Followed up by "that bag I've just put on the conveyor belt". So began my journey home to the UK. Leaving behind Heatwave Lucifer and aiming towards London's version of summer.
My cabbie was a friendly one and complained about how hot it was and difficult to sleep at night. I smiled because I was sooo looking forward to sleeping in 18 degrees and not 28.
So Mr Smooth invited me here for a City break run and up I got. The hour time difference helped, as I was able to get out in reasonably free of commuters time. I had promised myself two things, first off I'd go to my beloved Borough Market just to see if things are back to how I remember them and not those awful newsreel shots of a little while ago. And second to try and beat my average km time, which has been hovering around the 9-10 minute mark. Now I am not obsessed by the timing, I just thought with it being cooler it may be possible.
So being back to the City a quick recap on the rules. Never talk to strangers, in fact never make eye contact even when talking to someone. Never amble, always walk fast. Black/grey clothing is de rigueur as is a stern face. Oh and the one I remember from my time working here - any runner you see jogging on the spot at junctions is called a w..k.r - under your breath of course, because you'd never say it aloud as that may risk a conversation.
I started at Barbican, out to Fleet Street, the Strand, back towards St Paul's and over the wobbly Millennium bridge. Now I am a thumper when running, I try hard to follow Oldfloss advice to kiss the ground. I knew that my running was a bit thumpy (not a real word - forgive me sheps ). At that time Blur was on the actor Phil Daniels said the immortal line "it's not all vorsprung durch technik you know" it made me smile and so old floss I softened my feet. As I finished crossing the bridge, World in Motion came on. I think I must have subliminally chosen loads of songs for running, and then Mr Smooth piped up again. I miss him on these longer runs, as I don't get to hear the liquid velvet and calm encouragement quite so much.
Borough was quiet and just coming to life, I saw the market traders I know and some I don't and took a quiet couple of minutes to say my respects. I love this City, it's dirty and noisy and frankly pongs a bit. And what do you know, there's loads of us runners around, not wearing fluoro like me all in City appropriate greys and blacks. And not one mention of the "w" word, but then to be honest, I didn't dare jog on the spot at junctions, I ran up and down until the lights changed! Oops it's in the bag - I just did the run, I broke my time record by about 2 minutes, did the longest run/walk so far, oh and I am down a shade of red - now sporting Raspberry Bellini.
Wow well done! I can only aspire to your times. Still It must have been lovely to be back in old familiar territory, not to mention cooler. Good luck for Run3 but I don't think you'll need it.
Thanks bareliz it was nice to be back, I love both and can't choose a preference. Run 3 hoping to do in Regents Park, but it is same day as flight back to Italy, so City grit may prevail
Great post! You write so engagingly, I feel as though I am there alongside you! Unlike many of the runners of London, you will never be 'grey' I suspect. Some great tracks to run to as well🙂. Well done on W6R2 - edging ever forwards! 🙂
Fab post Jan, very descriptive. Your story at the airport reminds me of our leaving Split airport a while back. The check-in lady asked a few passengers (including us) "do you have any batteries in your bag". I had no idea that the word batteries would bring so many looks of embarrassment to so many people 😉 and I somehow don't think they were thinking of radios.....
That running on the spot thing made me smile because I use to do it too until I read somewhere that experienced runners just stand there and wait. So I then did that. Didn't make me an experienced runner but made me feel less of an eejit 😏
Love the battery anecdote, that's so funny. And I didn't know the no running on the spot rule, so as today's run was the 2 x 10 minutes effort I decided I had to keep moving hence the bizarre run away from the junction, see the lights change and run back again... not easy in London with so many pesky junctions... thanks for the good wishes.
The rain clouds cleared, briefly, the run went well, I even broke into a little geriatric jog on the way back from the running track where we meet. Not pretty but I'm too old to be embarrassed.
The hash was Ok but that's probably it for another ten years, thanks for asking. Have a great day.
• in reply to
You only cook once every 10 years, it's a wonder Mrs Eslad isn't kicking you out the door. With that level of culinary expertise you could be moving on up to sausages and mash next time.
• in reply to
Wow, I do all the cooking I'll have you know, a proper modern man me. It's just ten years between hash's, that's a good word I just made up. That should make the OED.
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Okay pax. 10 years between hash's fair enough. Almost Jamie Oliver
Thanks the glamour of sheltering from the rain at Angel tube station. Can't be beaten💨💦☔️ Oh except no umbrella. And a nice chap just asked if I could get his brolly out of his 🎒 I said yes, he smiled took it and walked on. Who said chivalry is dead?
What a super post! You did absolutely brilliantly... I could just image you, all shiny and fluorescent, brightening up the greyness of the City! I simply loved it, it sounds so, so different to my running and really exciting...
Yup 4 seasons in one day, btw love the profile pic, meant to say that the other day. But in fluoro which is very Italian, so stood out amongst all the City grey termites. Clearly I looked like a tourist
Hey - I'm with you - I don't do dull colours - my running vest is bright orange- very good for these dark August mornings..... thanks for liking my monkey 🐒 and helping me upload him 👍😀🐵
Oh don't be homesick, I didn't want to make you sad.... I am a Liverpudlian living in London and Italy at the same time. I am one very lucky lady. One day you should visit again and we can run together and we can revisit the uni years ....
Great run this morning Jan, I read it laughed a lot but forgot to post a reply.
It sounds like you got your run in before the rain took hold too badly, I can imagine you thump running across the millenium bridge and getting it really swaying as everyone holds on and says 'who is that stylish athlete with the Italian tan'😊..
I have been known to run on the spot while waiting to cross over, but will stop this habit forthwith in case people are thinking I'm a Walker!😉
I hope the rest of your day was fun and that you enjoy your city break despite the rain. Its quite cold now.
Will wait to see if you fit in your Friday run before your flight.
ah so you'd be right parks are much nicer, but I'd promised myself Borough for obvious reasons. Also I can run to Borough but the parks are all at least 4-5 miles away from where I live in London, so that means taking the tube. But I did do Regents Park on Friday morning and that was glorious too. Much nicer.... oh and please take some of our heat. Today on my terrace 45 degrees.... so if you can relieve me of 8 or 9 of them I'd be delighted....
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Week 6 Run 2 
Week 6 run 2 in the bag
WK3 IS IN THE BAG!!
Week 7 Run 2 in the bag
Week 6 run 1
