Action Duchenne Race- Finsbury Park, London with Wawa

Lisa and I ran a race with Action Duchenne for muscular dystrophy in children this weekend at Finsbury Park in North London. On the forty minute tube ride we got some odd looks thrown our way at our american flag doo-rags and bright blue and pink race get ups (and probably because of the fact that I had nike shorts on in 35 degree weather). 
We were really good about running in the mornings before class last semester, but we have been a tiny bit lazy this semester (mainly me, not Lisa). So the last mile was a strugfest! I don't want to make excuses, but most of the race was UPHILL.. 

okay its an excuse, but a good one.

Luckily we had some good friends leave with us at the crack of dawn (on a Saturday morning no less). The signs Kate made for us said, "Run, Wawaa, Run!" and "Durn, Carly! You iz fast!" respectively. Kate and Aleks held up the signs as we passed them each lap (see pics below)

After a that last mile of Lisa dragging my butt through the park we finally made it to the home stretch... where I started puking twenty feet before the finish line. I'm sure this does not surprise my running pal from Arkansas, Katie Surly. Never fear- I finished the race without stopping (glad you have that visual.. huh?) We finished in under our goal time, so that is all that matters. 

We were happy gulls that we FINISHED THE RACE AND COMPLETED THE TASK! Thank you, Lord Jesus! -Acts 20:24

Back to the Grind

Leaving home this time around was harder than leaving to begin with in August. The first time, the pain of leaving my friends and family was masked over by the fear of moving, alone, to a new country I'd never been. Since I'm not exactly the best person at adjusting to new situations, going from London to small town Bentonville then back to London was a little rough. 

Its nice to be back in my normal schedule. The takeoff in Bentonville was rough, but the feeling I had touching ground again in London Town was wonderful.

I love being in a city surrounded by thousands of things to do and see. People ask me all the time what my favorite thing about London has been and I don't really have an answer- its more about just BEING here and walking around and seeing all the different buildings and architecture. Its about being a small fish (from Arkansas) in a sea of different things, places, and people to experience. 

I love the rare days when I go out on my own and explore and get completely LOST.. I need to implore that adventurous bone in my body to exercise more often.

Kate, Lisa, and I went to Hayward Gallery on Monday to see the Lights Show (click here to see the website- amazing.) It was an INCREDIBLE show. It became less about the 'art' and the 'artist' and more about the visitor's experience- and finding your relationship to the art and the light. 

In one artwork the room was broken into four separate spaces of white walls and dozens of neon colored florescent lights (first picture shown above). Each color changed the space in an all-consuming way. I could tell by our uncontrollable laughter that the endorphins in our brains were rocketing. Another work was a telephone booth sized box. You stepped inside and were surrounded by one way mirrors reflecting back at you. In the floor and on the ceiling it looked like a never ending abyss of lights and darkness (see the second picture shown above). It was dizzying and disorienting and fun! Kate wanted to go again.

Today, we went to Westminster Abbey for the noon Ash Wednesday service. It was breathtaking. We were surrounded by tourists on the outskirts of the room watching the service curiously. We sat next to the pulp that the bishop of Canterbury had preached in during King Henry VIII's rule. INSANE! 

My time here in London has been full of these experiences that make me so thankful to be living life to the fullest in such a great city. I'm going to make each week, day, and moment count!