London Tradition Calling

The 32nd London Marathon.  

As per usual tradition, my feet are up, my computer on and in general my activity level hovers around nil. My 2nd two liter bottle of water sits besides me three-quarters full.  More work to be done there before the day is out. Dinner, with friends Kristin and Tarek, calls for fish - again as per my custom. So, lots of little traditions before a much bigger one.

One tradition is the pre-marathon call for donations.  This race is particularly special as I am running for the local charity Rays of Sunshine.  I am using justgiving.com to donate to them.  Last night, I got to meet a few people from the charity in a small gathering.  Genni and Olivia from the charity (and hopefully Jane Sharpe, Executive Director, whom I met on a plane in 2010) will be on Tower Bridge cheering us on.  I met Ross, a fellow runner and a veteran of the race; he is looking for a good pace; we'll see how we both do.  Thank you to the many people who have already donated.

At the Rays of Sunshine Drinks Meet Up

(The US-based charities are also still available for giving here.)

Tradition (or, perhaps, let us say history) dominates everything about London.  What makes running the marathon here so special is that Rebecca, Justin and I lived here nearly a decade ago.  So, the connection to our past drove a key reason I wanted to run this event.  Some 40,000 people will join me I am told at 9:45 AM local time on Sunday.  Of course, London hosts the Olympics this year as well (but the marathon will be on a different course.)

This trip in fact has been punctuated by history and traditions which create a tidy package of ideas for this last email blast blast/blog post.

Hyde Park Heaven

5 blissful miles in Hyde Park.  Overcast skies and cool temperatures. Numerous other runners, cyclists, dog walkers, pedestrians and a few on horseback for company.  Perfect for a last training run before Sunday's Virgin London Marathon.

Peter Pan's Statue - One of many monuments in the Park

Hyde Park contains so many paths that running there never dulls or becomes repetitive.   Turn a new corner, and you might find a statue or memorial that you never knew existed.  Another bend leads to a water feature or copse of trees.  The 350, most flat, acres anchors the Western portion of London, and combined with the adjacent Kensington Gardens provides recreation to millions of visitors each year.