To Work and Back

Running to Work and Back, seemed like an ambitious idea at first but definitely not impossible. I got into exercise whilst living in Sydney where every sole is a fitness guru and the morbidly obese are expelled to the Western Suburbs, inland and away from the celebrated beeches. My '3 times a week' run generally lasted half an hour and got me into the best shape I had ever been. Because of this I'm feeling confident about getting back on the road, I haven't however, taken into account the 6 months between fitness obsessive Sydney and present day, months that have been filled with: lots more celebrating (Football World Cup, Ryder Cup, The Ashes, etc.) catching up with old friends and the unforgiving festive season. 

After Saturday's tepid start to training there was a slight feeling of dread as I packed my rucksack in preparation for the morning’s departure. My svelte and active physique of Sydney no longer exists and the prospect of panting my way along the streets of Fulham prompts me to pack a fully charged oyster card and a £20 note should I have to resort to a taxi.

Setting off at 07:00 the Sparrow has only just farted but as I'm still half asleep it's not nearly as painful as I thought it would be. The run is broken up into 3 perfectly lengthed stages which I couldn't have planned better if I'd been on the 2012 Olympic Marathon committee. Running the last 200 metres along Westbourne Terrace I suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of happiness. I believe this is accredited to a sudden rush of endorphins and for 30 seconds I'm absolutely buzzing, sprinting the final 100 yards to the office. Because of this the return home becomes highly anticipated, unfortunately it turns out to be far less exhilarating. 
Unbeknownst to me Hyde Park has a closing time and I manage to lock myself in. With nothing but the sweat off my upper lip as sustenance the only escape route I can see is to vault the spiked fence and then sprint away from the oncoming guards. Fortunately my ten a day habit at school has trained me well for these eventualities so I got home safe with just a torn trouser leg to give away the nights adventure.