Top 5 | Training strategies for the random run I just signed up for

Hi there!

I've been busy and up to some exciting things this past week. Norway, Mexican Food, Bazaar: Inspire conference, and, perhaps most terrifyingly, signing up for a run!

I ran a half marathon nearly 2 years ago, and hated it. I felt proud, accomplished, and could check it off my bucket list. But my training was haphazard at best, and I was not prepared when race day came. Luckily I wasn't injured or in too much crippling pain following the race, so there is that haha. 

But now I've signed up for a 13k run, that coincides with my visit to Ontario for family time. And my family is running it too! So that immediately makes the run even more enticing to me. And, to be honest, since moving to London my exercise regime has been nonexistent. 

I'm focussed on learning from my mistakes, pacing myself (haha, figuratively and literally), and thinking of my training as holistic and something I can be doing every single day. That comes to form for me in a number of ways:

Learnings from the Road

Hi!

I'm writing to you from Birmingham, a Crowne Plaza to be exact, and I may or may not be enjoying a complimentary G&T from the club lounge.

If I've learned anything from travelling for work it's this:

Humpday Post | Mid Afternoon Jaunt

Happy Humpday!

This afternoon the weather was a balmy 24 degrees, a little humid and sort of overcast, but overall really lovely and, above else, no rain.

I stumbled upon a little park called The Calthorpe Project, hidden off a main road in North Clerkenwell/Islington near my office. There's a cafe that uses vegetables grown in the park, and they take unused food to create compost to go back into the garden. Full circle and very sustainable.

There are ping pong tables (paddle and balls available for use), tons of little parks and play equipment, and a shop with lots of little herbs, flowers and plants available to buy. There were a number of beautiful mosaics on the tiles, and tons of fun being had. I even saw a cat chasing a mouse - which struck me as incredibly British but maybe I'm just being weird...

Here are some shots from today:

Weekday Inspiration | Energy

London Transit on a Monday

Hiya!

Happy First Day of Summer! Though you would never know it by the way London's weather is behaving. This morning the rain was plentiful and strong, everyone on the street sought shelter with their umbrella, and I practised my ninja skills by avoiding all those pointy sticks and rain dripping off everyone's 'brollies'.

I can't complain about my commute at all. It's a mere 30-35 minute trip from home to work, with one transfer and an entire ride taken above ground. Even on a rainy day, it's nice to get that extra bit of daylight and keep my circadian rhythm in check. The wonderful thing about London is ease of transport (delays, cancellations, and construction aside!). I know people who live in Zone 6 - which is wildly far from the centre - and they can make it into the city in 25 minutes flat. There is no shortage of transport options if you have an Oyster card and a bit of extra time to cushion for delays.

Today's rain made my commute a little less than awesome, though still a wonderful time all in all.

Top 5 | Random Questions I Googled Today

Here's a short and sweet list of my more random thoughts throughout the day.

#Fridaybrain

5. Who is Daphne Javitch? 

Job Love | 3 Take Aways from My Visit to London's Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising

“Design is intelligence made visible” – Alina Wheeler

Considering the omni-presence of product packaging, it’s only natural a company would spend years, sometimes centuries, perfecting this critical marketing medium. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit London’s Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising in Notting Hill. Though not a large space, this non-profit cultural body has a well curated collection of consumer products spanning many industries.

As I admired 120 years of commercial package design showcased through a labyrinth of well-lit cases, 3 thoughts stuck with me.

Read on for my take aways from the Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising...

Architectural Bake-Off in Fitzroy Square

There is so much going on in London!

I remember feeling that way about Toronto, too, it seemed that every single weekend there were at least 5 cool things to check out, new gallery exhibitions, concerts, trivia nights, film festivals, park parties. Other than a few die-hard extroverts, I think it's safe to say my friends and I fell into a content pattern of drinks, food, and movie nights with only the occasional out-of-the-ordinary Toronto experience.

As a newcomer to London, I'm focussed on keeping track of all the cool stuff and actually going to some of them! (Feeling very grateful for Time Out right about now!) Last weekend was the architectural bake-off in Fitzroy square, a competition that pitted 8 architecture firms against each other as they tackled the building of an iconic London structure using cake!!

Read on for all the delicious details and pics.....

Top 5 | Stores I Love in London

Today, I want to write to you about London retail!

As a retail specialist, obsessed with customer experience, there's a special spot in my heart for stores. Okay, and I really enjoy shopping, some could say it's a sport I've been perfecting for the past 20 years (yikes, I feel old!).

Since arriving, London has introduced me to many new stores. They are too delightful to keep to myself, and I can only hope some of them make the hop across the pond to Toronto by the time I move back.

5. Argos
Full disclaimer - I live above an Argos and the insane convenience factor is a big part of the charm - but not the only reason it's on this list, obviously. Argos offers the old school method of catalogue shopping, modernised for the way of the future. Walk into store and there is no merchandise. Seriously, it's a storefront full of anchored iPads that is always packed full of people buying random things that appear magically from behind the service desk as soon as the order is placed. Why don't we have one of those in Canada?!

What I Ate | Pie Minister

Hiya!

I have the blessing of working close to Leather Lane Market, a vibrant collection of epic street vendors, food stalls, random collections of clothing sold for questionable prices (as in, this must have been robbed off a truck, no?), and the odd arts/design shop.

On this overcast Monday, the British staple meal of 'pie' was beckoning to me.  Our very first day, catching a taxi from Farringdon station with all 6 of our suitcases, Henry and I received a great lecture from our taxi driver about pie. He waxed lyrical about the deliciousness, variety, hearty health benefits of this tried and true English fare. You can have it with chicken, steak, pork, lamb, veal, even some peas and mash for those who refuse to indulge in carnivorous delights (C'est moi!).

I've walked by Pie Minister many times, their adorable little yellow bird logo has always caught my eye. I noticed they have Meat Free Monday special on their vegetarian pies, and decided today was the day I officially become something of a British stereotype.

I ordered the 'Heidi' pie, with spinach, goat cheese and sweet potato, along with a side of mashed potatoes and red wine gravy. Wow, wow, WOW! Hot, flavourful, difficult to cut so I just removed the top and scooped out the insides hehe. It was delightful! I was especially obsessed with the red wine gravy, which added a hint of sour flavour to the ultra rich creaminess of everything else.

I give Pie Minister 8/10 - though it's a big too heavy for everyday eating. I should also note the whole meal cost £5.40, which is decent but not the best I've found in the neighbourhood.

Hope you're having a wonderful Monday!