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Free Workout in London – Project Awesome

Waking up early to squeeze in a workout before work is never easy. In fact, for many, it feels downright impossible.

Project Awesome, helps get London out of bed each Wednesday and Friday morning by promising them free fitness, enthusiasm and fun. Especially helpful during the rainy, cold, dark mornings one can’t help but smile when they hear the commotion coming from The Scoop, the group’s Wednesday meeting location. Similar to the November Project in the United States, Project Awesome is all about showing up and holding yourself accountable to working out regardless the weather!

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Danny Bent, an enthusiastic and spirited guy sporting short shorts and tons of muscles, makes the workout feel like a party. He brings a great playlist and speaker each week and screams the workout to the group in a non-threatening, supportive manner.  In fact, he gives sweaty hugs to all the newbies and prides himself on knowing everyone’s name!

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Each Wednesday the group completes a body weight workout that lasts 45 minutes. The workout varies but many things are consistently a part of the routine: squats, burpees, pushups and stairs. The ampitheatre lends itself to stair climbing. They are a killer workout since they are so steep. My calves and glutes were burning after just a few minutes!

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Luckily we mixed up the stairs and body weight workouts with my running over Tower Bridge. I couldn’t get over the sunshine and views yesterday morning as a group of us chatted our way back and forth over the bridge. As we passed fellow project members we gave high fives and motivated each runner to go just a bit faster.

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These pictures can’t do the energy levels justice! Everyone was smiling their way through the workout, even during the group squats which lasted almost five minutes! At the end of every workout the group takes a pictures, a fun way to document the fun. As you can see there were around 40 people at yesterday’s class, ranging in age from 10 years old to mid 40s.

If you’re traveling to London or a local, head over to the Facebook page to find out more and join Charlie and company for their weekly workout. I guarantee you will feel the burn and have a blast! They meet each Wednesday at The Scoop, next to Tower Bridge, at 6:30am and each Friday at Primrose Hill. Don’t be surprised if someone hugs you upon arrival, screams your name as you’re dashing up the stairs or invites you to coffee afterwards. This group is all about the fun and camaraderie!

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London Winter Run Race Recap

Today I ran my first race of 2015! The London Winter Run 10k was a perfect way to kick off February, support a great cause, catch up with friends, and enjoy a run through some of London’s top sights.

London Winter Run After a quick breakfast of oatmeal, banana and DailyBurn Pre, Charlie and I headed into Central London. The convenient starting location in Central London meant it only took us one tube and 30 minutes to reach the race area. On the tube it became clear that the race attracted lots of people in its inaugural year as the tube was filled with runners! Upon exiting at Embankment we headed up to the VIP area to pick up our bibs and check in with the other ladies. The organizers were kind enough to provide some of us with bibs in exchange for helping them get the word out about the race and the great cause it supported, Cancer Research UK.

The VIP area was unlike anything I’ve experienced, complete with bag storage, sparkly nail manicures, snowflake face art, sparkle lips, refreshments, and guided warm-ups. Due to the race’s wave start, we opted to stay in the warmth and start in a later corral so we could run together.  IMG_5980IMG_5982IMG_6031

An hour later we emerged, complete with sparkling snowflakes adorning our cheeks and glitter lips!

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After giving a few polar bears high fives, we reached the starting area, packed with runners waiting for their wave to begin. There were seven waves in total, each one allowing around 2,500 runners to start before cutting it off. The starting line staff did a great job keeping the crowd’s mood up with warm-ups and loud music. It was blustery and frigid at the start but group dancing helped keep us warm. Big Ben smiled down on us as we huddled together, waiting for our corral to cross the starting line. During the 30 minutes we waited it continued to get sunnier. burning off the morning clouds.

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My goal for the race was to have fun and enjoy the course, only focusing on maintaining a consistent pace. Luckily Charlie, Zoe, Leah and Laureen had the same idea! Since my goal for the day was bidding Leah farewell, I stuck by her side, letting her set the pace. The race course was well organized with volunteers supporting and guiding runners in the right direction, large signs marking each kilometer, a water station and multiple “Winter snow zones” along the course. As the Swiss Tourism Agency was one of the sponsors, there were even fun Swiss flags illuminating the tunnels!  Switzerland Flags in the tunnel IMG_6010 London Winter Run St. Paul's CathedralDue to the corral system the race never felt too crowded, even in the narrower areas where the course looped through London and sent runners turning back towards the finish area. The flat, fast course could be a great PB attempt though I highly recommend running it for fun too! In fact, I would recommend this 10k to any London runner who is looking for a fun way to get out and enjoy London during the bleak winter months.

Everyone in our group enjoyed it and the snowflake medals we received upon crossing the finish line! London definitely gives out more race medals than Switzerland!

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After the finish we met the rest of the group at Bill’s Restaurant for brunch. Leah did a great job organizing and due to placing our food orders in advance, we each had delicious food within minutes of sitting down!

IMG_6024 IMG_6037 IMG_6038I’m so thankful that Leah’s organization and support of the London fitness community helped me meet so many inspiring ladies! The Team Naturally Run community is so supportive and perfect for anyone in London looking for group fitness and running support!

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Brunch in Notting Hill

This weekend Bo and I had the opportunity to spend a few hours discovering a new neighborhood, Notting Hill. Our friends Casey and Joel just moved to the neighborhood and insisted that we stay in their flat versus getting a hotel for the Thursday and Friday.

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The area was just as charming as the movie Notting Hill made the world believe over ten years ago when Julie Roberts and Hugh Grant charmed its streets. Coffees in hand, we spent a few hours wandering through the famed Portobello Market on Portobello Road, tucking into antique shops and consignment shops in between exploring the market’s many food and antique stands.

IMG_3009[1] IMG_3022[1]IMG_3028[1] I gave into the many trends, buying a black wide-brimmed, felt hat that will make me feel perfectly chic when Bo and I explore Florence in a few weeks. I fell in love with Jonathan Adler’s bright decor, trying to convince Bo that we needed everything in site, especially the vibrant cashmere throws. Bo and I both were in awe of the meat and produce selection at Daylesford Organic Market. We decided that a pheasant, four sweet potatoes, fresh bacon and some pumpkin needed to make its way back to Geneva, thanks to the friendly staff who helped vacuum seal it for the trip.

When we weren’t shopping and exploring, we were spending our time in a few of Casey & Joel’s favorite neighborhood restaurants and coffee shops.

Eat:

Granger & Co.

Walmer Castle

Mike’s Cafe

Sip:

Talkhouse Coffee

Each of these spots was delicious, though Granger & Co was the only one at which I remembered to take pictures to document the experience. I’ve become so accustomed to using my regular camera when we travel that these days I forget to take pictures altogether if I don’t have it with me.

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Granger & Co was recommended to us by four different people who knew we were staying in the Notting Hill area this weekend. The Australian restaurant has a reputation for serving a mix of delicious, healthy dishes alongside Australian favorites. Upon walking through the doors at 9am on Saturday we encountered a restaurant whose warm, bright colors lit up the gloomy day and was popular enough to draw a crowd even on a rainy, early Saturday.  Bo nor I have ever been to Australia, so we didn’t know what type of food to expect for Saturday brunch. After being escorted to two seats at the bar, we realized that making just once choice would be difficult. Everything on their menu sounded delicious!

IMG_3017[1] We decided to order a few different dishes to share so we could taste something for each part of the menu. We started with coffees and a Bills Beet to share. The juice’s combination of beets, carrots, fennel and apple was unique due to the fennel. Gone in seconds, we both loved the combination and vowed to add it to our home juice repertoire back in Geneva.

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Neither of us could be decisive so instead we splurged with a combination of savory indulgence and healthy. After a week of travel I was craving lots of fruit, so the chopped fruit bowl was an easy decision. Loaded to the brim with fruit and finished off with a dollop of Greek yogurt, Bo and I decided to share this as an appetizer.

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For our main brunch dishes, Bo ordered the Full Aussie while I chose avocado toast. The Full Aussie left us wanting more, bringing together traditional breakfast staples such as scrambled eggs, with Australian spices and techniques. The eggs were so fluffy they were served as a tower and the mushrooms and tomatoes both included hints of cumin and miso. Unfortunately, the avocado toast was a disappointing choice, lacking flavor and so crispy I could barely bite or cut into it. In addition, the avocado was not ripe so spreading the slices was virtually impossible.

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While I wouldn’t order the avocado toast again, everything else at Granger & Co. was delicious. There were so many great options on their menu that the corn fritters and ricotta pancakes, just two of the dishes that caught my eye,  have us yearning to come back soon. Whether you’re looking for a quiet breakfast or a group brunch spot, Granger & Co is perfect for all ages and dietary needs. As the restaurant doesn’t accept reservations unless you’re a large group, going early is a great option. They’ll gladly serve you a juice or coffee from their bar while you wait!

Return or smile politely? When you order something that ends up being so bad you barely eat it, do you return it when the waiter or waitress questions you or smile politely, stating that you just aren’t hungry?

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