Here is a little map of the run.

This entry is a little tour of London from pictures I took on my long Sunday run. The first stop was Sigmund Freud’s home near Swiss Cottage. He lived here the last year of his life after escaping the Nazi occupation of Vienna. He died one year later of cancer.

The next stop was Primrose Hill on the way down to Regent’s Park.  I stopped to snap a picture of the London Fog from the top of Primrose Hill.

On my way down the hill I ran into my friend Joyce who is training for the London Marathon. We had a chance to catch up while we ran 2 miles on the Regent’s Canal from the London Zoo to Camden Lock.  Below are pictures of the Camden Town Markets and Camden Lock along the canal.

Regent’s Canal has been one of my favourite long run locations. It’s only 2 miles from our flat and it’s a quiet escape from the buzz of the city. Some parts aren’t that scenic, but on a Sunday morning you are guaranteed to find some nice, quiet stretches to run.

The canal was built in the early 19th century as one of the many project put forth by the Prince Regent and his architect, John Nash.

One reason for bringing my phone along (which allowed me to document the run with pictures) was that I have never run past the Islington Tunnel before. Usually when I get to this 1000yd long tunnel I turn around and it makes a nice 10 mile run out and back from our flat.

Today I continued over ground to the other end of the tunnel and hopped back on the tow path.  I continued for 2 more miles, past Victoria Park.  At this point I was very close to the 2012 Olympic Park. That will be topic of my next post.

I hit the 9 mile mark on my run just as I approached the appropriately named Mile End Tube station.  I hopped on the tube for 30 minute ride back home!

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The run from Hampstead is all down hill to Regents Park. I run down Fitzjohn’s street which is a really nice street with 3 story brick homes much like the ones on our street. On the way down Fitzjohn’s you pass by Sigmund Freud’s old house, now a museum. Fitzjohn’s street, like all other streets in has very rough sidewalks made of large stones. They’ve also been patched in a million places, so you always have to watch where you’re running.

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At the bottom of Fitzjohn’s is an area know as Swiss Cottage. I swam a masters workout at this place last week. Only a 1 mile run from our flat.

From Swiss cottage it’s another mile along Avenue Road to Regents Park. Avenue Road is lined with a lot of really nice homes.

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Once at the outskirts of Regents Park, it’s easy to hop on a trail along Regents Canal. It’s kind of fun to run alongside the canal boats. At the end of the trail, just before Little Venice there are a nice set of steps to run up!

The next section was probably the least fun part of the run. A 1 mile section along Edgeware Road to get to Hyde Park. Next time I will try and find an alternate route. Edgeware is just a busy street, with lots of pedestrians and traffic.

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Edgeware Road runs right up to the corner of Hyde Park, at Marble Arch and right near Speaker’s Corner where you are guaranteed to see a few crazies!!

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Speaking of crazies, for all my triathlon friends, I heard about a race called Arch to Arc that starts here at Marble Arch and ends at the Arc de Triomphe. Only 7 people have ever finished the race which consists of an 87 mile run from London to the Dover Coast, swim 22 miles across the English Channel and then 181 mile bike to Paris……sign me up!!!

From Speakers Corner, it was a 1.5 mile run through Hyde Park and then to Buckingham Palace. Hyde Park is the venue for the upcoming 2012 olympics triathlon. 

I didn’t stay long at Buckingham Palace, there was a sign outside saying no formal changing of the guard happening today. I turned around and headed back home the same route.

Dad pinned my race number on my shirt just before the race.

We wandered down to the starting line and I asked Dad to hold my hand for the beginning of the race because there were lots of kids and parents and I wanted to make sure I didn’t lose him in the crowd.  They counted down 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…and we took off chasing everyone else.   I was doing great for about 200 yards and then all those snacks started bouncing in my stomach. I asked Dad if he would carry me for a while.   Dad seemed to be struggling carrying me all that way!   Finally I got down and started running again.  We had lot’s of people cheering along the way.  Finally with 50yds to go I took off towards the finish line. There we lots of people cheering as I crossed the finish line and then someone handed me a ribbon for finishing the race.

After a quick drink of water, I relaxed in my “chariot” admiring my ribbon.

I didn’t have long to bask in my accomplishments before Dad and I took off for his race.  I just enjoyed the scenery and snacked some more while Dad pushed me past lots of people.  At one point he seemed to be struggling and I said words of encouragement “Don’t slow down Daddy!”    Dad did pretty well, we finished 2^nd overall in the baby jogger division. 

Finally after we were done racing and Dad was done talking to all his friends we went over the the snack table and grabbed a bagel with cream cheese to take with us to the playground. Then we went over to the playground and I used up my remaining energy sliding and swinging and climbing before it was time to head home and take a nap.   Dad decided he needed a nap as well after our big morning!

My race number and ribbon are now proudly on display in my bedroom!

Kevin

A Note from Dad:  The day after the race, our triathlon club had a meeting and Kevin and I got a “father and son” award. Here is the recap from the club meeting:

“Awards:
Dave won the Peet’s Performance of the Month prize for his "father-son double" at the Jenny’s Light 5K.  Dave paced his son Kevin through the Kid’s Race, then pushed him in the stroller division of 5K race.  His time was fast enough for 4th in his age group (against guys without strollers) and earned him some free coffee!”

Here is a link to the results

Now you’d think there would only be a few crazy people out there willing to join you for that kind of “celebration”. Below are 10 people who knew what they were getting into and all seem to be smiling prior to the start.

(left) Eduard, the birthday boy is showing everyone how it’s done. (right) Fred and Staffan make it look easy.

Here is a nice shot from the bleachers of the whole group coming around the track with Fred and Eduard leading the way.  Thanks to Conrad for taking such great pictures. See everyone next year for 43!

Probably the biggest news in the last month is that I’ve been practicing my walking.  It’s obvious when my parents are encouraging me to walk…so at those times I revert back to crawling just to annoy them.  My Dad did capture me once last week with the video camera doing some of my best walking. See the video clip below.

I’ve also been busy with lots of activities. I ran in my second race a few weeks ago. The Jungle Run 10K. Mom utilized her Ironman shape to push me in the baby jogger.   Dad was in front of us and even made the local Los Gatos newspaper (a picture about 1/2 way down the page). Below is a picture of us at the finish line.

Last week was a busy one. I had several play dates over at our house with some of my Mom’s friends.  I enjoyed showing them all my toys. It was also nice to have some new friends to play with. My Mom and Dad are great…but I see them A LOT!!

It was also my 11 month birthday last week, according to my parents. They made a big deal over it even though I have no idea what they are talking about. They dressed me up in a nice outfit and spent about 45 minutes in the front yard making me pose in all sorts of places. To the right is my favorite. What my parents won’t tell you is that I fell off that stool about 5 times into the dirt and they kept picking me up and brushing me off for another attempt.

This past weekend we took a trip to the beach in Santa Cruz. I had been to the beach back in April when my Mom was training for her Ironman, but to be honest I don’t remember much about that trip.  This time I really enjoyed the sand. My parents put me on a blanket when we got there but I thought that was boring and made a mad dash into the sand and dug my hands (and face) right into that stuff.

My Mom decided to work more hours at her job at Motorola. I can’t imagine why, but I guess she likes what she’s doing there. So, there’s this new woman that comes and plays with me two days a week. It’s awesome! She is really nice and gives me lots of attention (which is just what I need). I think Mom and Dad were very lucky to find her.

Other than that I’ve just been enjoying time with my parents around the house and learning new tricks. I’ve just started pointing in the past week, I’m not really sure what it’s supposed to mean…but I point at everything and make my parents tell me what it is I’m pointing at.  I’ve also learned to imitate answering the phone. I pick it up and put it to my ear..but I never seem to hear anyone.  I’ve also been enjoying our newly landscaped backyard. Dad and I race on our hands and knees across the grass. I usually let Dad win, I don’t want to make him feel too old…yet.

That’s it for now, I’m due for a diaper change and it’s nap time!!