Over the past few weeks, I have run in five different countries – U.S., Germany, Egypt, Jordan, and England. This morning I slogged around London’s Hyde Park, just across the street from our Marriott lodging. Maintaining this 5,257-day running streak has been tricky of late, utilizing early mornings, treadmills, airport hallways, uneven pathways, and busy streets. I’ve only logged 40 miles in 21-days when normally this would be closer to 65. Plus, my legs have been stiff and sore after miles of touring these wonderous, worldly sights with too many rich meals aboard the Viking riverboat. In many cases, I haven’t had time to get in more than the minimum required mile each morning, keeping with the rules and regulations of the United States Running Streak Association. www.runeveryday.com, of which I’m a proud lifetime member. 

This morning I did a little over two miles through the park but got a little turned around trying to get back to our hotel. It was the longest I’ve run in nearly a week, since the 3.1-mile effort along the Dead Sea. This was after yesterday’s 2:30a treadmill mile, lots of steps lugging suitcases through airports followed by London streets, grocery shopping, and a long walk to and from the Ain’t Too Proud to Beg musical theater performance late yesterday. I also didn’t sleep very well last night with some painful bladder issues. 

The crowds were unbelievable throughout the West End streets of Piccadilly Circus, as we navigated our way to the Prince Edward Theater. It reminded me of fighting through the foot traffic in Times Square or during Mardi Gras. The pubs and stores were crawling with Brits and tourists out for a pint, fish & chips, special purchase, or just to people watch. I’d been up for twenty-hours with little luck getting a nap on the flight from Amman. Despite our lack of sleep, we still found the show quite captivating and the performers outstanding. It was a fun introduction to the London Theater District. Two more shows yet to go.

While we had unpacked earlier in the day upon arrival, I had turned on live Indy 500 qualifying coverage on SKY TV and once again failed to nod off. It was hard to believe that I could watch from across the pond, but viewership of the local event was blacked out in the Indianapolis area. Time has been confusing these past few weeks with 7-hours difference in Egypt and Jordan that changed to 5-hours upon arrival at Heathrow. By 5a it was light outside, so I got up, took some Advil, and readied myself to run. My legs were stiff and heavy as I made my way to the park where only a few other Sunday morning runners and walkers were on the empty pathways. As “The Streak” sputters on, tomorrow is another day.