Serendipitous Victory in Europe Day Celebration

I'm on the train to Edinburgh! I've been absolutely terrible about updating the past weeks, but in my defense, I've been working my hardest to engage in each and every last minute I have here. Of course, this means that not only have I been terrible about writing about old adventures, but I also have SO MUCH new stuff to write about and share. Given that this trip to Scotland is for my half marathon and then a 9 day backpacking trip with my dad, I haven't brought my computer, so I'm currently typing this out on my iPad. We'll see how soon I get tired. :-)

So far the journey could not be running more smoothly-- Got up at the lovely hour of 5:10am, had breakfast, packed a few last minute items, and "called" an Uber. Had a lovely chat with my cab driver about the insanity of London road works and arrived at Kings Cross station at 6:10am. Grabbed a coffee from Pret while I waited for my 6:45 boarding and eventually made my way to the train. Now I'm settled into my seat, comfortably chasing the sunrise as we speed away from the city towards Edinburgh. Truly could not be more excited! And now, I will present to you at least one other post!

8am on a Saturday and the train is still busy

It seems appropriate that I take the opportunity to share a running-related story. For those non-runners out there, you may or may not know that the staple of any race training plan is the "long run" which you use to increase your distance. Usually you do a series of short to moderate runs (with cross training and interval work) during the week with a long run of increasing distance each weekend. I would almost always do my shorter/medium runs right from my doorstep. This means that I've run miles and miles through London's major sites and beautiful centrally-located royal parks. However, I use my weekend long runs to explore unchartered areas that are further away. This has allowed me to see totally new parts of the city, escape the tourist/weekend crowds, and also simulate race day conditions in which I will need to be up early and travel to the start line (as opposed to just walking out my front door).

With that information in mind, a few weeks ago, I planned to do a 10 mile run along Regents Canal. It seemed perfect: just the right distance, new area, short and easy train journey... What could go wrong?!

I found the start of the route extremely easily, stopped to do some active stretching, snap a starting photo, and took off!

Starting scene (1)

Starting scene (2)

I had absolutely no problem until I reached the first major deviation from the canal way. Here I was supposed to take a .75 km detour to find where the path picked up again. Unfortunately the description provided online did not account for the road works that have completely overtaken London and I got hopelessly turned around. Unlike central London, there were no big signs directing me towards my points of interest. I took a moment to stop and ask two different people whether they knew which way to go to get back to the canal or the next street, but no one could help me.

Eventually I gave up and decided to just run! What did it matter if I followed the original route I'd planned?! I had the security of a smart phone and knowledge of native language to find my way home whenever I reached my 10th mile. So I ran.

I wound my way down totally untraveled streets and past building fronts I'd never before seen. It was a nice reminder that even though this city has definitely become home, there is still SO MUCH of it that I haven't experienced.

It wasn't long before I started to recognise my surroundings. I saw the Shard in the distance and starting heading back in the direction of central city. I was surprised at how quiet the streets were. I ran through Saint James park and then started to run into queues of people, lots of barriers, and lots of policemen. "Huh... I wonder what's going on here?"

It was as I entered the area in front of Westminster Abbey that I realised the streets were filled with people and yet strangely still and quiet. I was running, powering it out to music, but observed crowds sitting quietly along the roadside and pavement (sidewalk). I immediately stopped running and took out my headphones. "OF COURSE," I thought, " it's the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) day!" I walked towards Parliament Square, listening to the arch Bishop deliver mass through loudspeakers that were set out. I found the green in the centre of the square lined with flags. I considered my next move: I had planned to finish my run and do some admin stuff before meeting a friend, but quickly scratched that plan.  There was virtually no way I could have made it out of the area anyway, but when would I ever be in the middle of an international celebration of a huge anniversary of one of the most important historic events?

Westminster Abbey in the back

My view as I listened to the service and stretched 

I realised I was sitting right next to the statue of Churchill 

After the service ended, I approached the barricades set up along the roadside right in front of the Houses of Parliament. Everyone was buzzing excitedly about the start of a big parade! There were tons of people preventing me from getting a good view, but I waited and quietly observed. Suddenly, a couple moved away leaving THE PERFECT spot with the perfect view. I rushed over and claimed my space. 

Approaching the barricades in front of the clock tower

The view in from of me

I quickly understood why the couple had left. Even though it was literally the best possible view of this parade in probably all of London (I was right in front of the clock tower), I was camped next to this American family with two young boys (Ian and Oliver). They were probably 2 and 4 years old, but were absolutely not the problem. Their mother talked NON STOP. LITERALLY NON STOP. ACTUALLY DID NOT STOP TALKING WHILE I WAITED 1 hour and 15 minutes. I was going crazy. She felt the need to narrate every single thing that was happening, addressing the boys and her husband by name every single time she spoke. "Look Ian, there is a person walking!" (It would be a lady walking with a a clipboard). "Oliver do you see that there is a plane in the sky that is about to disappear behind the building? Where did it go? Where is it? Is it coming back yet? I don't see it? Oliver do you see it yet? There it is! Oh wow! Ian there is another one! where did it go? Where is it? Is it coming back yet? I don't see it? Ian do you see it yet? There it is! Oh wow! Ian there is another one!" She would also repeat any information that she overheard at a slightly louder volume. At a certain point I realised the issue was not that she didn't stop talking, it was that she was talking SO LOUDLY. This lovely Foreign couple next to me kept making expressions of pain and suffering. Every so often we made eye contact and offered encouraging nods of solidarity.

It took great mental stamina to stick it out until the start of the parade, but when it finally began, it was totally and completely worth it!

Finally it began

The royal guard

Bagpipes

By far, the most special part of the parade was the precession of WWII veterans. They came by in uniform with spouses and children and grandchildren. Their jackets were decorated with medals. Most came in wheelchairs, reminding us that they've seen many years since the war. Some were dancing and cheering, grinning ear to ear. Some waved and saluted as we cheered. Some had tears in their eyes. It felt like witnessing something truly magical and momentous.

This veteran had tears in his eyes

My foreign neighbors were crying, people were waving flags, a marching band was drumming away, and I got chills continuously.

This veteran was having the time of his life, waving and dancing

As the final set of veterans rounded the corner, the roaring of the crowd picked up. I left my spot with Ian, Oliver, and Paul (dad) and headed back down toward the river. As I jogged home, I considered just how lucky I had been... My deviation from the original plan had allowed me to be a part of what may be the last big anniversary of this event for many of these vets. Their service was truly world-altering.

Alright, I'm now whizzing by gorgeous scenery so I am going to look out the window. More sooooon!