Let me preface this article: I AM NOT A RUNNER. Yes, I enjoy exercising, but my numerous knee problems have lead to a strong distaste for “pounding the pavement”, aka going outside and running. However, my disdain for running ended on September 17th when Liz Lash convinced me to go on a run. I thought I would be running two miles (something my work outs on the elliptical trainer had taught me to do), but 5.2 miles later I was still going. I don’t know how I didn’t collapse, I don’t know how my muscles didn’t scream out in agony, but I do know that running throughout London is a surreal experience. In these past three weeks I have developed a love for running, and a love for exploring “hidden” parts of the city.
1. The London Zoo
On the first day of now many running excursions I was bewildered, flabbergasted, and all around confused when I saw two huge camels about fifteen feet in front of me. I immediately assumed they were fake, but as I ran closer I realized my initial assumption was far from true. These huge, glorious animals were not more than five feet away from me, and only a short wall separated my running path from them. I had to stop (which at this point I was happy to do), and take multiple pictures. Originally, I had no idea what I was seeing, and couldn’t comprehend why there were camels in the middle of the park! Later I realized that I was running right behind the London Zoo. Now this pathway and vantage point has allowed me to see camels, aardvarks, and African hunting dogs.
2. Camden Market
Okay, okay, so this isn’t really a hidden gem of London and is something all tourists go to, but running through this market multiple times has given me a new perspective. Since I never run the exact same route twice I have seen (what I assume to be) all of the different vendors with their local delicacies, and have smelled some of the most amazing foods. Yes, it is extremely difficult not to stop when cookies the size of your face are two feet in front of you, and when you spy the most unique cuisines, hundreds of jewelry stands, and vintage clothing stores (no, I don’t know how I kept running). In summary, Camden Market is UNREAL. It’s someplace I look forward to spending some quality time at this semester, and hopefully will get a chance to try ALL of the food stands that I have jogged by.
3. Regent’s Park and Hyde Park
I have combined these two parks as they make up the majority of my running experiences, especially since running on the streets of London is a literal death sentence! Regent’s Park is your typical suburban park with football (soccer) fields, biking paths, and families everywhere. This park is HUGE, and I have gotten myself lost twice (thank you Google Maps for steering me back on track). There are children playing, dogs without leashes, and people enjoying the outdoors. By overhearing conversations (my headphones burst in the middle of a run one day) and observing others, you can get a true sense of the British culture and the family lifestyle. On the other hand, Hyde Park is easy to navigate on foot, and centered on a pond. Local restaurants surround the pond, people rent out rowboats, and there are swans galore. In the morning Hyde Park is quiet, but around 5pm this park is busier than ever with people walking home from work, picnicking, and enjoying the day. Running throughout these two parks has given me a sense of the people and their daily lives, and it is a weirdly calming experience (yes, three weeks ago I NEVER would have used calming and running in the same sentence).
4. The Canal
The canal is the start and end of my most used running route, and it provides both misery and ecstasy. Trees hover over the narrow sides of the canal, and riverboats are docked everywhere. If you go all the way down the canal – and by all the way down I mean miss your turn so you end up two miles away from where you have to be – you get to Little Venice. This area (which I didn’t even know existed) has waterside cafes, eateries, and pubs surrounding the canal. The restaurants are all decorated in earthy tones, and it is fairly quiet in the mornings. Even though I was slightly panicked about how I had ended up so far from my destination, the serene environment countered my nerves and I was able to take in the beauty that is Little Venice.
I don’t know if I’ll continue to run once the weather gets colder and rain becomes an hourly occurrence, but I will continue to explore the hidden gems of London, the unknown landscapes, and get a sense of what it truly means to be “abroad.”