A Day Out in London

For those of you closely following the blog, you know that I (Colleen) was supposed to run a race with the running gang from Paris to Versailles on September 28. Well, unfortunately due to a fire in the chunnel about a month ago, travel on Eurostar has become a bit of a nightmare. Eurostar was basically begging those whose travel wasn't "completely necessary" to cancel their trip and request a full refund.

The girls and I talked about it at great lengths and a flurry of emails went around...is a weekend away from our husbands and kids "completely necessary?" To some, it was. A much needed break from the routine and chaos of daily life. For me, having just returned from a five day trip to Chicago and L.A. including a night at the Emmys; I could live without Paris - and definitely could do without the 18k run!

The compromise - we'll pretend we are away. We all met at 9:30 a.m. at Jody's house and went on a very strenuous 10-mile run up to Hampstead Heath. For those unfamiliar with "The Heath" it is basically 5 miles uphill and then 5 miles downhill. It took us about one hour and forty minutes - not bad considering the steepness of the hills on those first 5 miles. After a delicious brunch at Jody's we all returned to our respective homes for a quick shower and then it was out the door to Clarence House, home of Prince Charles, Duchess of Cornwall and Princes William and Harry.


During the summer months when the Royal Family is away on holiday, Buckingham Palace and Clarence House are open to the public. It was really cool to see where they live. Clarence House is not like Buckingham Palace at all! This house is actually lived in as well as a location for the Royal Family to host state affairs. There were family photos on sideboards and on the grand piano. It was remarkable to see snapshots of Prince William and Prince Henry as babies - with Princess Diana, pictures of the Queen Mum and Queen Elizabeth. We had a great time!

After the Clarence House we went to The Wolseley for drinks and snacks...and a lot of laughs at how sore we all were from our run. We took a leisurely stroll through Green Park (mostly because our legs were so stiff!) and hopped the tube back to St. John's Wood to our friend Laura's house. She hosted cocktails and appetizers - champagne and sushi - fabulous. Then it was on to Gilgamesh for a terrific dinner. Several bottles of wine and many different tapas style dishes later we were all happy to head home and collapse into bed.

It was a great day "away" with my running friends!
Cheers.