Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Flooding

While the rest of Europe is enjoying a hot summer complete with sunshine, England has seen rain almost every day since May. What has resulted is a country devastated by flooding. It is really really bad. London is ok. There is a possibility of the Thames causing some problems but overall it hasn't been as dreadful when compared to the rest of the country. There have been a few storms that have passed through and dumped buckets on us, causing mayhem and irritation, but nothing like the M5, a major highway, being surrounded by water so it looks like it is a bridge rather than land. The pictures are pretty intense I recommend taking a look.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/968625.stm

In other news I ran ten miles on Sunday and had a sub 9 minute mile average. I think. I am kind of unclear on my Google map where in Regents park I stopped but I am almost positive I figured it out correctly. This week is a rest week which I am looking forward to. It doesn't mean I stop running but it does mean not so hard or long. I move into my new flat tomorrow and seeing as how I still have to pack I should get off my computer, stop procrastinating, and get to work!

Sunday, July 15, 2007

A new home and 8 miles

This weekend I found a new flat to call home. I currently live North London. Very north. There isn't a whole lot going on up here and although I love my flat and the park across the street I feel a bit isolated. Plus all my friends live south and complain bitterly when they have to come see me. (all two times) So, I found a new place to live. It is South of the river in Clapham. I live literally minutes from Clapham common which is a huge park and the energy there is great. Lots of young people and tons to do. I will be living with one other girl and the flat itself is amazing. Hard wood floors, a washer AND dryer and it is a beautiful place. I am really excited.

Today I ran 8 miles and for the most part felt pretty good. The first part is always rough as your body warms up and comes to realize that you will be moving for a while. I have a nasty blister on the bottom of my foot (not from running) and although I managed to ignore the pain while moving now that I have stopped it is KILLING me. It hurts really bad. I am hoping tomorrow it will feel better. The last mile of my run was by far the best as I guess I realized that I didn't have to save any more energy as I was almost done. My pace was slower than last time but I am really pleased with my run over all. Now that it is over that is...

Friday, July 13, 2007

Cake and pure joy

Last night I had a moment of pure joy, something I hadn't felt since I was at the World Series game with Laura and Declan Pie and Barry hit a homer. (or so we thought. He didn't really. Still, it was pure bliss that left us jumping up and down and clapping our hands) I went to see Cake in concert last night and it was so much fun. The venue was small so I could see them up close and personnal and Cake is one of those bands that are just silly. The kind of music you play when you are cleaning your house and want something to sing along with while doing so. And Cake live is just as good as you would hope. Their music sounds great, they have energy and they are funny, just like their lyrics. Pure joy.

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Tour de France in London


I am very sorry to report that I have nothing to report. I had to work. I originally had been scheduled to work Saturday until 4:00 which left me plenty of time to catch some of the time trials. However, due to unforeseen circumstances I had to work a 12 hour shift and didn't get off work until 10:00. Boo. Had to work Sunday too. The good news is that it doesn't seem like I missed too much. Sure, it would have been exciting however there were about 2 million people there, literally, and apparently you couldn't see much. What with all the people and the riders riding as fast as they can, people said they didn't really get to see anything at all. So although I would have liked to have been there I am glad that it wasn't like the Grand Prix in San Francisco which is really a biking treat.

Today I had my first long run which in total was 7.2 miles. I ran a 9:16 pace which I was very very pleased with. (you are suppose to run at your slowest pace so this is very good for me) I decided to run someplace and take the tube home in hopes that the new route would inspire me. It worked! I ran to Regents Park and then did a loop around the park. I had a really good run. I am sore and tired but while running I felt myself being able to power through it and get it done. I really enjoyed myself and I kind of like this running stuff. I joined a running club and have my first club run this Wednesday. I am excited!

Now I am looking for a new place to live. I live North and want to move South where everyone my age seems to live. It will be exciting to move but as always, a pain!

Thursday, July 05, 2007

It sure is raining a lot

It has rained everyday while I have been home. I have been told that this is very unusual for July, even in England, and that it looks like we got our summer back in April. Sweet. It is starting to depress me.

I started my marathon training on Tuesday and I feel good about it. I like being on a schedule and knowing exactly what I have to do everyday. I have my first long run on Sunday, 7 miles, and I am a little nervous as this will be my longest run to date. I am sure it will be fine. I just hope where I am running will be flat!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Prague, car bombings and London goes smoke free

So much has happened in the last several days. Just got back from Prague where every day I heard about car bombs in London. The first one they found in Mayfair was by the first club I ever went to in London when I came here in college. (Tiger Tiger) Christi and discovered the wonder of red bull and vodka, in pitchers! Now they are trying to blow the place up! Then the next day the second bomb and then Glasgow airport! What is going on? The news here is pretty sensational but I had no problems flying home today. They weren't allowing anyone to pick or drop people off curbside but other than that it was pretty calm. The news was quick to lay off blame the Irish as it seemed highly unlikely the Irish would cause such havoc now that things are peaceful. The phrase "I doubt it is the Irish" was repeated often in initial news coverage.


Spent four days in Prague which was a lot of fun. Went with Brian who managed to miss his flight and had to take the next one the following day so my first day in Prague pretty much sucked. Walked around and then walked around some more and although I was in a great city I was pretty lonely and couldn't really do too much exploring cause I didn't want to have it all done by the time Brian got there. Prague is one of those cities where you really just wander around and relax. There is the castle of course which is amazing, and various other sites, but four days was plenty and although we saw a lot it doesn't seem like we saw that much. I feel like I don't even have that much to say about it.

We went to the castle the first day Brian got there, which is the biggest castle in all of Europe. It sits on top of a hill and it is pretty impressive. The cathedral there is beautiful and feels old and Gothic, even though much of it was completed in the 20th century. Walked across the Charles bridge a million times and every time it was packed with tourists. Mostly Americans. I discovered a reason to not travel in the summer in Europe and they go by one name. Back packers. There are college aged back packers everywhere and although I know I was one of them once I pray to God I was not as idiotic as these were. I can't say what it is that bothers me about them but they just grated on my nerves to no end. I came in contact with them mostly on my first day there so maybe my foul mood had something to do with my distaste for them, but I really found them to be a nuisance. Also went to see the baby Jesus of Prague who is said to have saved Prague on numerous occasions. This baby Jesus has about 60 different outfits made for him by people all over the world and although I found it some what entertaining Stinky kept muttering "This is ridiculous."

Our last night there we got to see a fire work display over the river which was quite possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I have to say that Prague at night was a major highlight. I think it is at its most beautiful at night and I found it difficult to go back to the hotel and have to say goodbye to it. The way everything is lit and how the light bounces off the water was really incredible.

There is also the big astronomical clock in old town square which not only tells the time but tells you which house the moon is in and all sorts of stuff. Legend has it that they blinded the maker of the clock so it could not be reproduced. On the hour the skeleton shakes the hour glass and the apostles come out and bow to the audience. It was pretty neat.

And now I am back in smoke free London, which contrary to popular belief is not that popular of an idea. Of course non-smokers are thrilled but the majority of Londoners find it very annoying. My friend Robin has been seriously distressed and feels this is the first time the government has had a direct impact on his daily life. Although I am ecstatic to be able to go to a pub and not smell when I get home I do find that London has lost a little bit of itself with the no smoking ban. I agree of course that it is a good thing but there is something very English about a smoky pub. Oh well.