The Jubilee Walk London

Not having my running shoes (since my bag was still in DC), I had to manage just walking around town. But that was fine... there was plenty to see at a snail's pace.

The Jubilee Walkway is one of the official walkways in London which connects the heart of London with all the tourist attractions.

I was able to squeeze in a little bit of sightseeing between the Triathlon and my flight at Heathrow. It was nice to see East London and all the construction occurring around the new Excel Center, the future hub for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The Magnificent and Magestic Jubilee Walkway links most of London with the central, heart of London, it's financial center.

London Triathlon was Super Spectacular Fun

The happiest time known on a race track -- the completion of an olympic triathlon

I have to say, I've never seen a triathlon like this before. It was extremely well organized, everyone seemed friendly and talkative, the vendors were very helpful and offered wonderful deals and I loved how the race course ended directly inside the Expo. Which allowed me to capture some heart warming candid shots with the athletes and family. I was truly impressed. If this is what London is providing as a taste of things to come in athletics in the future, then we are in for a big treat.

There were lots of embracing and kissing scenes at the finish line -- another mark of a great race.

After seeing a bunch of happy and ecstatic participants, family and friends, it was confirmed that coming to London to observe the event was totally well worth it. My only regret was that I didn't get a chance to run -- after all the Airlines lost my running shoes.

My only regret was that I didn't get a chance to run. But I did take some notes for Cancun in Sept. And I am motivated to resume my training (when I get back in mid-Aug)

Made it into London but My Bags didn't

I made it to Heathrow, just barely.  I was literally the very last person to board the plane.  The Airlines had me on standby once again.  This time I squeezed through, but my bags didn't -- they are still in DC.

So I had a nice time with my niecey Rio and her boyfriend Luke in downtown and Liverpool, just catching up.

Now all checked into my room and wondering what I should do tomorrow for the run.  No bags means no running shoes.

Got Bumped Again, Deja vu

I didn't make it on the flight to Istanbul.  Bummer... My Airlines overbooked and I, along with a couple dozen desperate patients, were left stuck, once again in DC.

My Airlines (no, I won't disclose which one) issued me a ticket on the next flight out of Dulles -- first thing in the morning to Heathrow.  Yeah, I get to see my niece, Rio!

I am now heading to London and will get an opportunity to also spectate the London Triathlon on Sun, 2 Aug.  Can't wait..

Let's see where this adventure leads. Gotta rush, gotta plane to catch.

Heading to Istanbul

I'm heading to Istanbul on a whim and a prayer...  

After not getting a seat on the overly crowded Space-A flight to Ramstein (it was an active MEDEVAC flight), I drove back home and went back to the drawing board.

"What shall I do, now,"  I wondered.  Frustrated but still faithful.  I came up with a new outrageous plan.

I will still run in Europe.  However, there is now a new twist.

Instead of starting in Germany, I will start in Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia.  I will fly there from Dulles. I will spend a day or two there and will swim in the Bosphorus Strait.  This is the body of water that separates the European and Asian side of Istanbul.

From there, I plan to catch a train from Istanbul to Budapest and spend the night.

Next will be another train to Prague where my fun and exciting journey will continue.  My final European city, Berlin, I hope.  I have to be in school by the 16th, or else I'll be in big trouble.  (I hope my GW professor is reading this, just in case I make it back with sound body but not mind...)

 

My Plan to Run in Europe

The next major city will be Prague. I plan to be there around 3 August (sooner if I decide not to make a side trip to a small border town to Copenhagen). Yes, I would like to run across the border from town to town.

At any rate, I will keep everyone informed via http://twitter.com/runindc

Here's my 11 km run

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic center of the Czech state for more than 1100 years.

The extensive historic center of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. The Prague castle is the largest medieval castle in the world. Prague is also known as the "mother of cities', "city of a hundred spires" and the "golden city". I guess I will find out why.

Berlin: "The Hub of Culture" and my plan to Run it

my next stop (approximately 31 July) after Frankfurt

My plan is to start running from the Hauptbanhof (train station) towards the US Embassy. The reason for the run to the Embassy is because of the link to the 9 May 27-EU Embassy run in DC:

http://embassyrun.blogspot.com/

The route will be an approximately 8 mile course:

(Please refer to the Google Map above)

** The famous Tiergarten (German for Animal Garden and a large park in the center of Berlin)

** Potsdamer Platz (public square)

** Checkpoint Charlie (name given by the Western Allies to a crossing point between East and West Berlin

** Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Museum

** Leipziger Platz, an octagonal square in the center of Berlin. It is located along Leipziger Straße just east of and adjacent to the Potsdamer Platz. Leipziger Platz was reduced to ruins during the Second World War and once part of the no man's land surrounding the Berlin Wall, but has since been reconstructed in its original configuration, albeit with modern architecture.

If any one has any suggestions of other neat places to add to the run, or if anyone would like to join me on the run or meet up with me at any of the historic sites, please send me a note (via this blog or via twitter)

I will be tweeting at major stops, so you will know where I am in my run. (I heard there's good WiFi there)

My username is http://twitter.com/runindc

Let's see how this goes...

Possibly a Crazy Idea but I'm Running (or swimming) Anyway: Frankfurt Lake

Read more!

I've come up with a crazy idea, but I'm doing it unless God or Country stops me.

Remember last May, four intrepid souls decided to tackle 27 EU Embassies and cover seven distinct DC communities covering 12 miles in just over six hours:

http://embassyrun.blogspot.com/

The most challenging aspect of this run was not actually the run but the fun of having to participate in the food, arts and craft and meet the staff from over a dozen embassies

Indeed, there were a lot of remarkable people and places that we greeted and visited that grueling, action-filled day May day in the friendliest embassy capital of the world.

But probably the most memorable (due to our circumstances) were Germany (where we kicked off the joyous event), Hungary, Czech Republic (because it was a long, rugged trek through narrow, curving streets and a heartbreak hill through a very densely forested part of town to get there.)

And finally, Austria, because of the gracious embassy staff who celebrated our completion with a warm reception, warm embrace and a round of chilled champagne.

Well next week, I'm catching a Medevac hop from MD to Germany. Coincidentally, the other three countries that I will visit on my Eurorail ticket will be Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary -- the last three embassies towards the end of our May day 27-Embassy trek and the ones that we worked really hard to reach.

So here is the first part of my schedule:

First, I should arrive in Germany by Fri, July 31st. (That's if I don't get bumped off the flight in the Azores)

Frankfurt

I'm actually catching a train from Ramstein to Frankfurt.

Will run from the Airport/Train station to the Langener Waldsee.

My goal is to do a small loop for about 1.2 miles then run around the lake which should be both paved and cobbled ground.

(I need to find a place to secure my backpack while I swim)

Then I'm going to run back to the station and then catch a Eurorail train to Berlin for the beginning of my adventure. Yes, this was just a teaser and a sample of more to come.

Please stay tuned to see what I have planned for the rest of the Five Country Trip ...

Possibly a Crazy Idea, But I'm Running Anyway:

Berlin: "The Hub of Culture" and my plan to Run it

Proposed Itinerary: 1--13 August

I am reaching an important juncture in my life. This fall, I will complete 20 years of active duty service in the Navy and will be moving on in my life.

Berlin, the old capital of Prussia and the capital of the reunited Germany,  will be my next stop (approximately 31 July) after Frankfurt

My plan is to start running from the Hauptbanhof (train station) towards the US Embassy.  The reason for the run to the Embassy is because of the link to the 9 May 27-EU Embassy run in DC:

http://embassyrun.blogspot.com/

The route will be an approximately 8 mile course.

(Please refer to the Google Map above)

** The famous Tiergarten (German for Animal Garden and a large park in the center of Berlin)

**  Potsdamer Platz (public square)

** Checkpoint Charlie (name given by the Western Allies to a crossing point between East and West Berlin

** Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Museum

** Leipziger Platz,  an octagonal square in the center of Berlin. It is located along Leipziger Straße just east of and adjacent to the Potsdamer Platz. Leipziger Platz was reduced to ruins during the Second World War and once part of the no man's land surrounding the Berlin Wall, but has since been reconstructed in its original configuration, albeit with modern architecture.

If any one has any suggestions of other neat places to add to the run, or if anyone would like to join me on the run or meet up with me at any of the historic sites, please send me a note (via this blog or via twitter)

I will be tweeting at major stops, so you will know where I am in my run.  (I heard there's good WiFi there)

My username is http://twitter.com/runindc

Let's see how this goes...

I've come up with a crazy idea, but I'm doing it unless God or Country stops me.  

Remember last May, four intrepid souls decided to tackle 27 EU Embassies and cover seven distinct DC communities covering 12 miles in just over six hours:

http://embassyrun.blogspot.com/

The most challenging aspect of this run was not actually the run but the fun of having to participate in the food, arts and craft and meet the staff from over a dozen embassies

Indeed, there were a lot of remarkable people and places that we greeted and visited that grueling, action-filled day May day in the friendliest embassy capital of the world.  

But probably the most memorable (due to our circumstances) were Germany (where we kicked off the joyous event), Hungary, Czech Republic (because it was a long, rugged trek through narrow, curving streets and a heartbreak hill through a very densely forested part of town to get there.)

And finally, Austria, because of the gracious embassy staff who celebrated our completion with a warm reception, warm embrace and a round of chilled champagne.

Well next week, I'm catching a Medevac hop from MD to Germany.  Coincidentally, the other three countries that I will visit on my Eurorail ticket will be Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary -- the last three embassies towards the end of our May day 27-Embassy trek and the ones that we worked really hard to reach.