On Monday I left for a business trip to Iowa, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Our team was spending 4 days there, so I obviously packed my running gear (I am still training for a marathon right now, so I gotta keep up with those miles. And nope, I still haven’t decided between Wineglass Marathon or Chicago Marathon. YIKES! Talk about indecisive.)
Anyway I think I fell in love with Iowa. I never thought I would say that, but it is beautiful out there. The air is clean and you don’t feel like dirt is clogging your pours just from walking down the street (cough NYC cough). I do love NYC (although I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with this city), but there is something about the Midwest that is magical. Des Moines had lots of running/biking trails which I ran on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. (Who says you can’t marathon train on the road??)
Sunset on a run.
Yesterday we left Iowa to come back to NYC, and now I”m exhausted. Traveling always takes so much energy out of me, and I find it hard to get back on my “schedule”. But I have to get my energy back soon because on Sunday I am leaving for LONDON!!!! I’m very excited since I have never been before, and I can’t wait to spend some time with my family (it’s a family trip). Any suggests on things I need to eat/see/do while I am there??
I did book a ticket to the Harry Potter Tour at Warner Bros Studios right outside of London. And I’m so freaking excited. The rest of my family declined my invitation to go on the tour, so it looks like I will be going alone. Hopefully a family can adopt me on the tour (aka take a billion pictures of me with my camera).
I am a little worried about marathon training while I am in London, but I think I can get in the miles. The good thing is that my family is pretty active, and I am sure they will want to go to the gym in the morning. I plan on running outside as much as possible (I find it the best way to see everything in a city) but we will see with the unpredictable London weather.
And the NUUN Giveaway Winners are:
Congratulations Lauren and Heather!
Email me at Enthusiasticrunner@gmail.com to claim your prize!
Again, anything I need to see/eat/do while in London?
{ 13 comments }
I’m so happy you love Iowa!! (My home state!) it really is beautiful…more so in the summer. Or any season that isn’t winter, haha. The Midwest is so wonderful; I love the fresh air and wide open spaces.
Have a great trip to London!
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I would kill to go on the Harry Potter tour. I’m going to Disney in January and cannot wait for Harry Potter World!!!!!!!
Very jealous you get to go on the Harry Potter tour! I would suggest visiting the Tower of London and take a ride on the London Eye to get a great view of the city!
Love your blog by the way!
You are going to LOVE London. I am dying to go back…hell I am dying to move there!!! It is amazing! You must go to Westminster Abbey…it is magical and I would also suggest going to the Tower of London and taking the organized tour. It is led by what they call themselves “Beef Eaters” and they are really funny and add so much to the experience!
Maybe you’ll spot some olympic athletes that will motivate you?! I went on some bus tour, but seeing Beatrix Potter’s house was really crazy to me, not going to lie. Childhood authors have a big effect! Other than that, I don’t remember much because I was there on a 24 hour layover 10 years ago
You’re going to have FUN! (I did, however, see Westminster Abby and say “That’s the best Abby I’ve ever seen!” -Joey from Friends. Watch the episode before you go. It’s CLASSIC.)
“There is something about the Midwest that is magical.”—>CHICAGO!
Eat some fish and chips, browse around Harrod’s…have fun!
London is fun! My sister lives there and I was there last summer. There are lots of big parks for running, and along the river as well, but avoid the London Eye area, as it’s super crowded. Also, you have to eat at Ottolenghis- there are a couple of branches. Curry on Brick Lane is awesome as well. There is a cool tiny cinema at Aubin and Wills in Shoreditch where you sit on sofas and drink wine.
I agree about the London Eye…it is highly overrated and not that great!
Are you just going to be in the city or will you be taking day trips? I spent a term at Oxford and it was a cool place. Also there are lots of castles in the surrounding area. I also wish I had made it to stonehenge. I guess I find a lot of major cities are pretty similar (obviously i am aware they aren’t and all have attractions people like to see) and enjoy exploring the surrounding areas more…
Running in London is amazing – you’ll love it. I marathon trained in London (I lived there) and got in the most amazing runs. Use mapmyrun to plot a route. If you want to drop me an email and say roughly where you’re staying and how many miles, I’ll try and help you plan a decent route! Don’t worry about the weather – skin is waterproof!!!
Ay London is fabulous!!
I just got back from a work trip but didn’t get to see anything except the office and a stodgy bar
But I have been many times before and love it! I recommend fish and chips (salt and vinegar on the chips), and a meat pie with mashed potato. Also- run in Hyde Park!
Shopping wise: Hit up Topshop (this is nothing like the one in soho in nyc, its much better), plus Warehouse and also Primark – its kinda cheap as in quality but its also cheap as in prices so worth a look.
Have a great time!!!
Let me know how the Harry Potter tour is! I might need to do this one… and alone as well