But I don't want to go!

I started this morning with another spin class at Psycle and did it on nine (!!) hours of sleep which was glorious. This was the best night's sleep I've had since I got here (it was aided by Tylenol PM though) and it was much needed. Because this trip has been so go-go-go in typical me fashion, I haven't been getting home until almost 9 every night after leaving the hotel around the same time in the morning, so needless to say, I've been pretty cooked. I had debated getting up early and running before spin class but I was also desperate for a good night's sleep so I could tackle my last day here head on. Sleep won that battle.

This spin class was taught by a guy named A.D who I had heard good things about online. His energy was fantastic, his music was great, his intensity was phenomenal, and he was H-O-T. His glistening, chiseled body on the podium def kept me motivated throughout class. It was same exact feeling I have in class at SoulCycle when Trammell (swoon) is up on that podium. I'm unapologetic when I say I work harder when the instructor is hot. It's just extra motivation combined with my normal 110% effort on that bike. This class was even better class than yesterday and I was so happy I went back. I had spotted a juice shop yesterday on my way back to the tube and popped in after class today to get my usual Saturday post-spin juice. Although not free like my New York Saturday post- run or spin Juice Press (#willrunforjuice #jprunclub #juicepress), it was really good (beetroot, strawberry, banana, avocado and apple) and refreshing.  I loved having my usual NYC Saturday morning routine right here in London.

Girl on the Train

Yesterday was just so awesome that I had such a hard time falling asleep last night. I finally fell asleep at 12:30 and before I knew it, my 6:15 alarm went off because I had scheduled an early morning spin class. I gave myself plenty of time to get to the studio and was so early that I decided to walk around a bit because I didn't just want to sit there and wait. When I walked in at 7:07, still decently early, I gave the girl at the desk my name and it wasn't on the sheet. One of the other girls said it sounded familiar and that she had seen it on the 7:00 class list. Like an idiot, I got the time wrong and missed my class. I was so annoyed with myself because I never do anything like that and because I was actually near the studio by 6:55 but thought I was too early (which I would have been for 7:30) to go in.  Luckily, it all worked out and they added me to the wait list for the 7:30 class and I got in. I was in the back row-corner, very far from my front row center at SoulCycle but it was better than nothing. The instructor for the class had great energy and spoke American English which was a surprise to me. (I asked her where she was from after class and it was Vancouver.) Her music was on point and so were her cues. There were tap backs and crunches and travel-backs and obliques. So very SoulCycle-y which I appreciated. There was even a weights portion for the arms. It was a great class and I'm so glad my stupidity didn't get in the way of me taking it. I am signed up for another one tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that one as well.

Double Rainbow!!!!

Today was a great day! I didn't walk a thousand miles or see a million things, but I got to go to towns I have never been to and see things that were all new to me. There was one in particular I had wanted to see since I last left London three years ago. Because of time constraints (so much to do and so little time), I didn't get to go and see these things since they are quite a distance from London. Today I had scheduled a day trip to Windsor Castle, Bath, Lacock, and finally, drumroll please... Stonehenge. I don't know why I was so excited to see it, but I was! And it did not disappoint.

This day trip started at 7:15 this morning when I was picked up at my hotel by the tour group. I was taken to Victoria station to meet up with the rest of the group. It was quite a mix of people age-wise, they were almost all American, and there was even a group of people my age who I ended up talking with and hanging with most of the time. We all boarded the bus at 7:45 and were headed out on a full day tour. I was slightly concerned for one reason though: apparently it's illegal to use the bathroom on coach buses in England. Ummmm, not okay. But once we got on the bus, I noticed there was one (and I even sat right by it); however, it had to remain locked as long as it was in England because of that law.  I was so nervous about this that I barely had any liquids all day. Luckily I survived and basically peed twice at every stop we went to so there wasn't any emergency necessary. Phew.

Dominating the Tube

Today I did three things that I didn't get a chance to do the last time I was in London three years ago: 1) Go inside the Tower of London. 2) See Kensington Palace (and not a fake picture of it over construction scaffolding). 3) And see the Olympic Rings.  Along with a whole lot more. Obviously.

This morning started on very little sleep, as is what usually happens on my trips. I am usually so very tired at night but also so very wound up at the same time. It's hard for me to get to sleep because of the great day I had and the anticipation for the next day.  My body is tired but my mind won't stop. (Wait, how is this different than on non-vacay nights?) Even on 6 hours of sleep, I woke up to my 6:30 alarm for a run. Sure I could have slept in a bit and started my day a little later, but I like getting out before the crowds. I ran along the Thames again for a solid 5.5 miles at an 8:55 (!!) pace. I must have been feeling it out there because that is FAST for me. I could have kept going but I didn't want to overdo it with my legs because I had a lot of walking in front of me again today. This time though, I knew I was going to use the Tube waaayyy more. This time though, I consulted with one of the station guys on what my best option for payment. I ended up buying an Oyster Card and loading money on it. With the card, its cheaper than buying single ride after single ride. Lesson learned. Now all I have to do is tap it like all the locals and I'm in and out. And can re-load when I need to add more money. (The Tube system is so much more efficient than the MTA Subway system. They have certain "turnstyles" for people coming in and out so there's no congestion problem there and people always know to stay to the right if they are standing on the escalator or walking slow throughout the station. It's really amazing. New Yorkers could take some cues there.)

Snow? In April?

Well guys, I made it to London and I couldn't be happier. I had been counting down the days until this trip and could barely sleep the days leading up to it because of my excitement. I boarded the red-eye last night having taken two Tylenol PM, but I think my excitement even overrode them. I had been hoping that I would sleep the entire 7 hour flight but I maybe got a total of three hours of actual sleep. When we landed in London, customs was a breeze and I got my taxi to the hotel. Damn, that shit was expensive. There was some traffic and the cab ride took almost an hour to the hotel and cost about $150. Crazy. Ridiculous. And nothing I can do about it now. (I know it was expensive last time I was here, but not that much. Yikes.) But I had a big suitcase and wasn't going to lug it on the tube to my hotel so that was really my only option I guess. It is what it is.

Back to London!!!

Yes, yes, yes!! It's almost time you guys. Soon enough, I will be in London!! That's right, #RayRaysLondonVacay is about to go down. I am beyond excited and literally cannot wait. I have been dying to go back to London ever since I visited it three years ago on my first trip to Europe. It was by far my favorite city on that trip and I was really fascinated with it. The city was vibrant, modern, and active, plus English is the first language. I couldn't get enough of it. And I can't wait to be back. <Insert Joey Tribiani Voice> "London, baby!!"