I’ve had the pleasure of pacing for Tracksmith the last 3 weeks. The Turkeytrot celebrating Thanksgiving the two Saturdays past and two progressively longer runs last Sunday and this. I’m always reminded how much I enjoy running with other people whenever I do these things. I’ve been pacing a 9 minute mile group, a really nice pace to run at allowing me to chat and find out about the people running alongside me. I’ve met runners who’ve completed from 40 odd to over 70 marathons (which is a huge accomplishment) alongside runners who’ve just moved over to London and are looking for company and someone to share a run with.
I’m a big fan of Tracksmith, their product and how they approach presenting themselves to the world, so it was an absolute pleasure to be asked to help pace by Amrit (someone who I’ve run with for nearly 20 years now from old Nike Run Club days). As the new London community manager I’m certain he’ll use his passion for running to organise well received and well organised running events.
We have met at Workshop Coffee in the centre of London. Last week started with a 10 mile loop, taking in Tate Britain, over the Thames to Tate Britain, back over the river and gradually back to Workshop, unfortunately hitting Buckingham Palace at the changing of the guard which was utter chaos, for a much welcomed espresso and pastry (I love a cake and post run this is much appreciated). This week we ran for slightly longer – around 20k – down to Battersea bridge, over, round Battersea Park and then back up through Pimlico, Hyde Park and skipping through Christmas shoppers for a good run. The frost on the plants was beautiful, as was running past the Serpentine at 10:15 this morning. There really is something special about running in freezing conditions when everything has been covered with frost and it feels like the world has stopped in a moment of time.
It also felt particularly special for me as it was my last long run in London for the foreseeable future as we move to Westgate on Tuesday. I cannot wait for this to happen – equally being able to run through London on a beautiful Sunday winters morning, a fitting and welcome way to punctuate this chapter of my life. I’m looking forward to doing one last track session at Paddington tomorrow morning. The last in London and first of Boston training, again a really appropriate way to draw a close to one thing and whilst opening something else in the same space.
