If you missed my recap of the Vienna Marathon, catch up HERE!
I’m going to quickly recap what I’ve been up to the past two weeks since the race. I feel like I’ve been diligent about recovery! Here’s my recap:
Monday, April 24: Winery tours in Wachau Valley in Vienna!
Tuesday, April 25: Early flight back to London from Vienna, Iron Strength upper body strength training after working a full day.
Wednesday, April 26: Some core, barre, and stretching on Peloton, mostly rest.
Thursday, April 27: Barrecore class before work- my first time at the Barrecore studio right down the road from our flat.
Friday, April 28: Barrecore class before work, Peloton Studio tread class after work! We took the 30 minute interval run with Joslyn. Dustin even agreed to try it! It was both of our first runs post Vienna, but just 30 minutes, so not too bad.
Taking a tread class at the Peloton studio is a fun experience, but it does take a lot of time, as you have to be there 45 minutes before the class starts. So there’s more waiting around than actual running! I will probably only go back if someone else wants to do it; it’s fun, so if I have a visitor who is really into Peloton, I’ll definitely go back, just won’t make it a regular thing.
Dustin was a good sport even though the class isn’t totally his thing, but he’s glad he experienced it.
Saturday, April 29: 4.7 mile trail run with Dustin and Ruth in the Heath, 6 mile walk with both dogs on a beautiful London Saturday!
They were both very tired afterwards!
We had dinner at Berenjak Borough, an Iranian restaurant- very good! Will definitely go back.
Sunday, April 30: Barrecore class, then the “Beyond the Streets” exhibit at the Saatchi Gallery in Kensington. Very interesting!
Monday, May 1: Spring Bank Holiday! Dustin, Ruth, and I ran 7 miles together and then I ended up working most of the day; that’s what happens when its only a holiday in the U.K. (though not next Monday, as we have visitors for the coronation!)
In the early evening, we went to this “Portraits of Dogs” exhibit at the Wallace Collection in Marylebone. Really neat if you love dogs like I do!
There was a bonus exhibit called “The Queen and her Corgis.” Really lovely.
We had dinner afterwards at the Chiltern Firehouse, which is a swanky place that apparently Taylor Swift loves when she is in London, but honestly I didn’t love it- food was overpriced and only so-so. Maybe fun for a drink, but not dinner…
Tuesday, May 2: I joined my colleague again at Barry’s Bootcamp in SW1. The class is always a mix of tread and strength, like Orange Theory Fitness without the rowing. This particular class was focused on lower body, which was probably a mistake so close to Vienna. My legs were not having it!
A post-class smoothie was a nice treat though.
My legs were sore and were only more sore afterwards! It didn’t help that in the evening, I ran 8 miles. Too much for one day.
Why did I run 8 miles in the evening after Barry’s bootcamp in the morning? I made a promise to myself that I would finally try a new-to-me run club, the Mornington Chasers after Vienna, so I held myself to it.
Their meeting location is less than a mile jog from our flat. They do easy runs on Tuesdays, track workouts on Thursdays, Parkrun on Saturdays, and long runs on Sundays…Brits sure love their Sunday long runs; I much prefer Saturdays, but I may have to switch.
I am proud of myself for trying it out, but to be honest, it’s a real challenge for me to run in the evening (they meet at 7:15 pm). My work is busy later into the night and its also difficult to coordinate between Dustin working long hours and the dogs needing walks/dinner. And physically I find it harder to run at the end of the day. Excuses, excuses, but I just don’t know how often I will join during the week, but it was a really great group of people- very friendly, all different levels of runners from sub 7 min mile pace to beginner couch-to-5k runners.
There were probably 60-70 people there; at the start, members will stand up and volunteer to lead a run, saying “I’m running 6 miles at a 9 min/mile pace” or similar and you join a group that’s running something close to what you want to do and the leader will make sure the group stays together.
I know that a run club is the best way for me to build a community and make more friends, so I will have to adjust to occasional evenings runs, despite my plethora of excuses…
Wednesday: Whew, I was so sore and so tired from the combo Barry’s/Lower Body + 8 mile run, but I had promised my colleagues I would be there for a morning social run, so I shuffled slowly to work via a run commute of 4.4 miles (at about an 11 min/mile pace- slow for me, but that’s what I could manage), then joined the group for a 3 mile jaunt through St. James and Green Park, where we admired all the prep going on for the coronation this weekend.
Thursday: Barrecore before work; barrecore is another promise I made to myself (lots of promises in this post, to myself and to others, ha!) There is a studio less than 1/2 mile down the road, so I bought a package of classes and I’m going to try to go at least once a week; I did a lot more than once a week to start, but that’s because I’m not running as much right now. (Also hoping to meet some friends through barre too!)
Friday: I did an 8 mile run before work, some core and stretching on Peloton. Ruth and I ran a route through Hampstead to Swiss Cottage to Primrose; we passed by a lot of schools and all the kids were dressed up in “Coronoation” clothes- crowns and princess gowns. It was adorable!
Saturday: Coronation weekend; our friends arrived from the U.S.! You may remember my friend Julie that I used to run with a ton in Minneapolis:
She and her husband and another couple arrived in London to stay with us for three nights before heading to France for a longer holiday. So great to see them!
Sunday: The plan is to run with Julie and her friend Heather! I will come back to update this post after the fact.
Summary:
The week after Vienna: just the Peloton class and one short trail run, so maybe 7 miles of running.
Two weeks after Vienna: a bit more running- about 35 miles.
Ruth and Matilda are coronation ready!
We probably won’t bring them with us to the festivities as it’s going to be very crowded, but I did buy them coronation cupcakes from a dog-bakery in Kensington!
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner; check out their blogs to connect with other fitness bloggers for workout ideas and inspiration!
How exciting to be in London during the coronation! You’ve gotten to experience all kinds of modern day history since you’ve been there!
I would not be able to do those evening runs–I always say that if I don’t workout in the morning, it doesn’t get done. I’m just too tired at the end of the day!
Yes! I love being part of historical events, even if I was never a super-fan of the royal family (I mean, I’m interested, I watched the Crown and have read some books, but never would have sought it all out, so its fun to be here!)
Agree on those evening runs…so hard!
What a fun time to be in London! Evening runs would not fly for me either just too tired. Always fun to try new things and meet new people.
Yes, it’s fun to try new things, but not sure if evening run clubs are sustainable or not…I’m trying to figure out how much I’ll change my schedule to make friends 🙂
How amazing to be in London for the coronation!
I would not rearrange my life for an evening running group. It is just not a good time for me.
It sounds like Peloton studio classes are more of an event than a workout — fun to do for a special occasion but too time consuming to be part of your routine. It’s cools that it’s so accessible to you though!
It’s been fun to be here for history!
The Peloton studio classes are VERY much an event- a scene really!
I agree with everyone that evening runs are hard! I think it would especially be hard for you because you work later hours. I will say I feel amazing after an evening run (on the rare occasions that I do them) and sleep great. You had a lot of fun activities this week- the Peloton studio class sounds like a fun experience (although I can see why you wouldn’t want to do it too often.) I’m interested to hear more about these barrecore classes- how long is each class? Is it similar to Peloton barre classes with added core? i… Read more »
Ha, you are right- I did feel good after the evening run and slept well post shower, but it’s really hard to motivate myself to do them. I would skip a lot more than I do in the morning!
Barrecore classes are 50 minutes- it starts with arms & light weights, then quad work, glute work, then core! Its an all over decent workout- and some stretching mixed in there too after working each muscle group. I like it!
You are doing a great job exploring different fitness venues! I bet the coronation was exciting! That Beyond the Streets exhibit really sounds interesting. When I was coordinating our local All Elementary Art Show, the art teacher had a unit about graffiti. It’s fascinating to think of it more as an art form than just vandalism. I certainly have a new appreciation waiting at railroad crossings, admiring the various artwork as it whizzes by 😉
You are so right Kim! I hadn’t really thought about graffiti as art, but this exhibit opened my eyes! A lot of artists actually started as graffiti artists too, which was cool to learn about.
I used to sometimes run at night (because, groups) but really it’s not my cup of tea either.
I had no idea you had to wait so long for your live Peloton class!
Being able to view the coronation — even though I’m totally not into that – but still, it’s a once in a lifetime chance!
Exactly! Run clubs are so often in the evening. But its really tough for me for all my various reasons (excuses!) 🙂
It was cool to be in London for coronation weekend, the city was buzzing!
I bet it’s wild to be in London at this time!
Fun that you got to try a Peloton class in the studio. I love that you’re trying so many different fitness options while you’re there.
Thanks Michelle! I’m trying my best to explore the city with fitness!
How cute are Ruth and Matilda wearing their coronation scarves. 🙂 I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend with your friends!
Ruth and Matilda are pretty tolerant of all their photo shoots 🙂 I had such a lovely time with my friends!
What an exciting time to be in London! And right on the heels of a trip to Vienna with a marathon. Fun.
Love the girls in their scarves! I’m sure they loved their cupcakes!
They LOVED those cupcakes/pupcakes. But they love all the treats 🙂
I love the photo of your two dogs sleeping – so cute!
I have never done a live class in the Peloton studio – it’s almost impossible to get into any class that I want – but I hope to get there one day for a strength or bootcamp class with Jess Sims.
Thanks Kim! Ruth and Matilda have become besties, especially with their shared experience of moving to London!
It’s a lot easier to get into the London Peloton classes than NYC!
So much great recovery. It’s hard to know sometimes though what will be ok and what will make the legs feel like lead. So did you move to London? I know I’ve been out of action for a while so clearly I missed that. You can go to parkrun now, everyone is crazy about it in London (and the UK in general). I actually already reserved a hotel for next year’s London marathon (pathetic? smart? could be both) and made sure it’s near a parkrun I’ve been meaning to go to. Oh yeah, we’ll go even if we don’t get… Read more »
Yep! We moved here in July 2022. Almost a year already!
Totally agree about evening runs.
Maybe see you in London next April?
wow I am so out of it then! that’s crazy it’s almost been a year! I’ll definitely give you a shout when we are in town.
Super cool that you are over there with the coronation happening! And how fun that your friends are visiting too! It is nice to have a day of rest after the long run on Saturday and not have to go to work sore, but I do think I used to run on Sunday’s also. Sunday runday, right? That is interesting about the Peloton and having to be there so early. It does make sense though so they can have it all organized and camera ready.
The coronation was a unique experience. I hope to be here for more in the future! 🙂
A good recovery and how lovely to have your friends over. Our running club does a 4 miler at 7pm on a Tuesday which is OK (though I’m leading the 5k option at the moment and not even running that far) and then a 10k on a Thursday at the same time which gets me home too late for comfortable dinner and bed. So I hear you there!
Thanks Liz!