Packing in a run

Pack. Unpack. Pack. Unpack. Pack. Unpack. See a pattern?

Yesterday’s journey wiped me out. I woke up completely sore all over. I had expected my legs to hurt from all the walking and possibly my arms from carrying two heavy bags, but I hadn’t expected my abs to be so sore … I underestimated how exhausting and painful climbing up and down all those flights of stairs plus running from platform to platform was going to be – especially after my cardio session at the gym. Oh well, I guess I got in a bit more cardio plus some resistance work. I sure am glad I worked on my resistance training before traveling – it came in handy yesterday!

Now I’m repacking for tomorrow’s trip.

Over the years, I have definitely become much better at packing light – mainly because I know that I’m going to have to handle my own bags as I’m hopping on and off trains. However, no matter how long or short the trip, there are certain things that I have to take with me … add workout wear and you’re going to need to come up with a whole new packing strategy.

A few years ago, before going on any trip I’d look up the hotel and check to see if they had a gym. Whenever there was one I’d be sure to take workout clothes with me. More often than not, I didn’t go … However, in the past 2 years, I’ve been good about going to the gym when traveling. Packing gym clothes for a 3+ week trip isn’t a problem. However, packing gym clothes for just a few days – it sure does seem like a lot of stuff to take.

So for my 2-night trip to Canterbury I’ve packed all my usual stuff … plus my running shoes, 3 pairs of socks, 3 t-shirts, 3 sports bras, 3 running capris, a pair of weight lifting gloves, my small gym bag, my heart-rate monitor, and my iPod shuffle & headphones … oh well, I guess it could be worse ...

2.5 km; 4 in; 7 kg; 30 min.

Ok let's get the academic stuff out of the way -- my presentation went really well :) I felt like I had extra pressure to do well this time because I was awarded a scholarship by BAAL ... Luckily it went by without a hitch and I survived the dreaded question and answer session afterwards. What a relief!!

I had decided to take a bus from the college campus (6 miles away from the city center) to get to my hotel (in the city center) instead of a taxi (and save on the £15 cab fare). I have to say I hate buses. I'm sure it relates back to my first experience on a London double decker bus -- late at night ... and somebody vomited and somebody else yelled 'Legs up! The vomit is rolling!' Talk about a nightmare!! Aside from feeling icky on buses, it's also the anxiety of not knowing which bus stop to get off at that makes me uncomfortable. I know. I could ask. But the bus said City Center which is where I wanted to go ... Anyway.

I got on the bus, paid the £3 fare, and sat until we got to the City Center. Now although my hotel is in the center of the city it's not at the City Center bus stop. In fact, as I later discovered, it's 2.5 km (just over 1.5 miles) away from the bus stop. Now 2.5 km is not bad. After all, I usually do at least 5 on any given day at the gym ... but add the hills, uneven pavement, 4 inch heels (stiletto not wedge) and 7 kg bag in my shoulder ... Need I say more?

There was a point (I was at the bottom of a hill) when I contemplated taking a taxi, but I told myself to just suck it up and push through. It took half an hour but I did it -- and although I'm pleased that I walked the whole way, my feet hate me right about now!

It's ok. I'll use some of my scholarship money and reward them with a great pair of shoes :)