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Palaces, Parks and Churches

Commuting to work by foot has to be my favorite way to start the day. The roads and parks are pretty much empty, the air isn't quite so polluted and I get my blood flowing for the rest of the day.

It's getting lighter out pretty quickly. Sunrise was at 6:37am, which means most of my run I could actually see where I was going. Today's 7 mile route took me from Hammersmith to St. Paul's via Hyde Park.


Just a couple weeks ago when I would run this same route, Hyde Park would be pitch black. There are very few lights in the park, which made it very tough to see where I was going...go figure! But now that the sun is up, I get to appreciate it for all of its beauty.

I entered Hyde Park at Kensington Palace, where Princess Diana lived until her death in 1997 and where Princes William and Harry were raised. Many Royals still live here today. Definitely a place to visit if you come to London.

A statue of Queen Victoria sits out front of Kensington Palace

From there, I headed to the north side of the park then headed east, going past the stunning Italian Water Gardens.

Italian Water Gardens

Following the north side of the park until I got to Marble Arch, I then heading south towards Wellington Arch.

Achilles Statue

Wellington Arch
My route from Wellington Arch to work makes me pass Buckingham Palace. Oh darn!

Buckingham Palace

I like to dissect St. James Park to get to the river. On the opposite end of the park from Buckingham Palace is the Horse Guards Parade, literally where they have parades by the Horse Guard.

Horse Guards Parade

If you go through one of the arches in the middle of the white building on the right and continue straight, you eventually hit The Thames and the London Eye.

London Eye

Then it's the home stretch for about a mile or so to work, which is right next to St. Paul's Cathedral.

St. Paul's Cathedral

By the time I get to work, I've already gotten my training done, I haven't disrupted any family time, and I'm ready to take on the day. If you haven't tried a run commute, do it. You'll love it.
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