2:07

Last Sunday I ran London's Royal Parks Half Marathon.  I overheard that my colleague, Paul, had just registered for the run about 8 weeks ago and signed up right away.  I've wanted to run a half marathon for a couple years now.

I have very little interest in running and actually find running to be quite boring, but there's something about completing a half marathon that is quite fulfilling.  The challenge was a fun challenge, though, and I'd love to share a little bit about the experience.

Like I said, I find running to be super boring.  I love listening to music, but a half hour of running... an hour of running... 2 hours of running is just overkill.  I might as well just be sitting in a corner staring at a wall with my headphones in.

The funny thing about running a half marathon is that one has to train for 13ish miles of running.  Unfortunately for me, I wasn't able to show up and just run.  I had to run BEFORE the event.  A slight turnoff to the whole challenge.

I don't mean to put down those of you who absolutely running.  I'll just never understand it.  The training schedule said that I was suppose to run 3-4 days a week with alternate training in between.  Uhm... no thanks.  So, I ran 2 days a week with each run being slightly longer than the one before it.  It's not recommended, but it kinda worked for me.

Anywho, enough about prepping for the run.  The truly fun part about this run is that it was through a few of the major parks in central London and around some of the fun touristy destinations.

First, a map of the run.

In my head I told myself, I just need to leave Hyde Park and get back to Hyde Park.  Once I got back to the park, it was all downhill... Ha. Oh how wrong I was.

Before the run, however, the vibe in the park was amazing.  They said about 16k people showed up for this event.  It definitely outdid the 10k I did 2 weeks before where 1,400 people ran.

The morning was beautiful.  The air was a crisp 6 degrees (Celsius) and I was wearing my glorious leggings.  Unfortunately for most of you.. there is no evidence of said leggings.

Hyde Park. 08:00 and I'm heading to the bag drop

Apparently I was suppose to register for the Blue group where Paul was.  They tried to kick me out of the line and put me with the "Purples", but I made up a white lie (Paul's cousin that flew in that morning from California just to run with my cousin).  I got to stay!

Getting busier!  Bags have been checked in and heading to the starting line.  Race starts at 09:00

Every quality event needs a marching band.

So... many.... people.  Glad we started in waves otherwise we'd be shuffling to the finish line.

A pre-run photo of the birthday boy and me.  Paul ran a half marathon on his birthday! Definition of insane.  Oh, and he didn't train at all.  I don't call that 5k jog 8 weeks ago training.  Please let me know if you're jealous of my head band.

And we're off!  Only 13 more miles to go!

First destination out of the park, Buckingham Palace.  "Hey Paul! This place is famous, right?"  To which he answered, "This is Buckingham Palace!!" Ha, thanks Paul :-) Yes, this cheesy smile is how I run/smile.  What of it?

They had the option to run around the monument.  Who runs around?? Of course you always run through a gate when presented with the opportunity.

Big Ben!  I loved that they closed down all of the roads just for us.  Once in a lifetime opportunity.

There's that weird smile again. Who cares when Parliament is right next to you!?

Better shot with the sun behind us. Benjamin Grande.

Around the 5 mile mark and headed to Trafalgar Square to say hello to Admiral Nelson.  Still going strong at this point.

Exiting Trafalgar Square.  Almost back to Hyde Park for the 6 mile mark.

Half Way there!! Still going strong.  Slowed down a bit, but still on pace to break 2 hours.

So.. 1.1 miles to go and I definitely broke down and walked a few times.  Cardio was like a champ, but my legs gave out on me and I ended up walking at the 9 mile mark and a couple times between here and the finish.

But alas!  The finish line!

Paul and I adorning our Royal Parks medals proudly.  They were made out of wood.  Clever.. Park... Wood.. got it.

And the official results.  My Nike App said I crossed the 13.1 mark in 2:06, but I'll go with the official timer set by the event of 2:07.  Yes, they thought my name was Gareth as does the rest of the British population.  There's NO "E"!! :-)

Covent Garden

Last Saturday we explored Covent Garden.  When Allie and I came to London last year on vacation, Felipe (one of my co-workers) brought us here at night after everything had closed up.  We then came back the following day and explored the market.  Covent Garden, the area underneath the Apple Market, is now a very touristy shopping area where you can pick up random trinkets like old phones, photos of London and many other random keep sakes.

I say it is now a touristy shopping area, because Covent Garden has been known as the Flower Market or Fruit and Vegetable Market for hundreds of years. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covent_Garden).  We particularly love this area because this is where Audrey Hepburn filmed My Fair Lady.  If you remember, she was the flower girl trying to sell her flowers to those passing by the market.  Knowing Audrey Hepburn was here was especially fun for little Audrey.

First, where is Covent Garden in comparison to home?

 

Covent Garden is definitely on the edge of the West End nearing the hipster East Side of London.  Due to the unique location, the crowds of people that converge here were all over the place.  Mostly, though, you'll find tourists just like us trying to experience a piece of London.

The narrow alleys that lead to the market are part of the fun.  You find yourself walking down little cobblestone roads with major retail brands on either side of you.  If you're really cool, you might shop at London's very own Ted Baker. (Not that this was meant for anybody... *cough Jeff cough*)

This blog is dedicated to you Jeff

 Next, was lunch.  Since we were here last year, they've managed to squeeze a Jamie Oliver restaurant into the middle of the Apple Market.  What's more British when it comes to British Food than Jamie Oliver?  Of course we had to go... (£29 for the two of us)

When in London, drink a pint.  It's a general rule of thumb.

Salmon for the gentleman. Pizza for the lady.  Per the norm.

Allie showing Audrey where daddy and mommy were last year for vacation. 

From there, it was time to walk around and explore the surroundings.  Also, we read somewhere there was a rad coffee shop nearby that we had to go to.  I do love me a good latte after a salmon filet.

Directly outside the Apple Market

We found this place from our tourist walking cards my sister bought me.  It is a quaint confectionery... Allie came out empty handed. :-(

The Royal Opera House aka Covent Garden.  At the moment they're doing Don Quixote. 

It's not the coolest photo as I forgot to get a picture inside the coffee shop.  It definitely was a rad coffee shop for the extremely hip.  They welcomed me with open arms and provided me with an amazing latte.

 We also got some amazing gelato from a place that was also recommended on our little tourist cards.  Unfortunately no pictures as I was extremely busy consuming my frozen dessert as quickly as possible.

So how does one end their day out and about?  Over sized Italian food.

Lastly, I do want to note we did most of our exploring with our new friends Justin and Dayna.  Justin works on the development team for CAKE and has recently moved to London to expand his team in Europe just like I am.  We've got a lot of traveling and exploring planned out and we're very excited to have fellow Americans with us in London.

4 Vessels | 6 Centuries

For the last two weeks, Allie and I had her parents visiting with us.  Although they did much touring around while I was at work, Robert and I took a day trip to the coastal town of Portsmouth to explore the British Navy.

First question. Why?  Good question.  Robert is passionate about the Royal Navy and a huge fan of Admiral Nelson. 
Second question.  Who is a fan of Admiral Nelson?  Well, besides the British, Robert Maxwell.  Nelson is extremely famous for defending the British against the French in the battle of Trafalgar, which is why he has been hoisted above a large tower in the middle of Trafalgar Square in the center of London.

Beyond that, Robert is an avid sailor and competes in local races.  You mix your love for sailing with a man who was on the front line with his men and you get a Nelson fan.

So, how do you get to Portsmouth from London?  You take a train for about 2 hours. Don't believe the "1 h 32 min" lie that Google is telling you below.










So, the title of the blog is kinda fun.  We went there with anticipations of seeing the HMS Victory.  This is THE ship that fought the battle of Trafalgar under Admiral Nelson until it was brought back to harbour.  It was on that ship where Nelson was shot and eventually died.
What we got, however, was a whole lot more.  Here are the ships we got to see:
1) HMS Illustrious
2) HMS Warrior
3) HMS Victory
4) HMS Mary Rose

As we were in line to purchase our tickets, the kind woman mentioned, "If you run to the end of the dock right about now you'll be able to see the HMS Illustrious taking off for Gibraltar."
Uhm, sure.  What's the Illustrious?

As we're getting to the end of the dock, I begin to see this massive grey ship making its way through the harbour.  It's one of England's only aircraft carriers.  Amazing!  The even cooler news is that the Illustrious is being retired soon due to British budget cuts.  It was literally going on what could be it's last mission.

Check it out.

HMS Illustrious is the second of three Invincible-class light aircraft carriers built for the Royal Navy in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Good bye!!

 Right next to where we were standing, however, was the HMS Warrior.  The HMS Warrior was considered to be a hybrid due to the fact that it was one of the first steam powered battle ships that still had sails.  This ship was also historical because the hull is made out of iron, as opposed to wood. It's amazing how these types of ships don't look like they would be very large once you get on them.  Oh how wrong I was.  These ships are humungous and would often carry more than 800 men on them.  Simply amazing.

Check out some shots of the HMS Warrior.

Robert coming across the HMS Warrior for the first time.  I'd say we were both impressed.

Two sets of wheels that controlled another wheel.  4 wheels to turn this beast.

Robert amongst the rows and rows of cannons.

The coal room.  More coal = more steam = faster you'd go.  I know, I'm brilliant.

So, we've seen relatively new and now a ship from the 1800's.
Next, is the HMS Victory.  This is where I fail.  I don't have a picture of the ship from the outside!!!  I was so taken back by the ship on the dry dock and staring at it's 104 cannons that I didn't take a picture of the outside.  You'll have to ask Robert for a quality photo if you really care.  Or, you can simply do a Google Image search.  Well, that's a good idea actually.  Here's the Victory from the outside.

Photo cred goes to somebody on Google.

 However, I did snag some other pictures of her.  Check them out.

So this is a significant moment in Robert's life and, of course, my settings on my camera were off and I was pressured to get a rad picture in the 2 seconds I had.  This is one of 3 cannons that still exist on the Victory.  The other 101 were removed for weight issues while the ship is dry docked.  This cannon, however, was confirmed to be at the battle of Trafalgar.  AND, Robert was given the opportunity to pull the trigger and pull the string.

This one speaks for itself.  Nelson was shot on the quarter deck and was then brought down to the belly of the ship for surgery where he later died. 

The Victory, in many aspects, was very similar to the Warrior.  It's amazing to me that the style of fighting did not change throughout hundreds of years.  Point some cannons out of small windows and hope for the best.  Just crazy to me.

Lastly, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that they just finished a brand new museum at the harbour for the HMS Mary Rose.  The Mary Rose was a battle ship commissioned by King George VIII in the 1500's and eventually sunk off the coast of the UK.  It was discovered in 1982 and pulled out of the water for restoration.

I was baffled they were able to recover shoes, cannons and even whole skeletons of both a dog and a sailor.

Check it out.

They have the different levels of the ship in a dry room.  Amazing how they're reconstructing it.

A dog discovered by the door of the Captain's room