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Gloanna Yoga Run

There are few things I enjoy more than breaking a sweat with friends on a Saturday morning. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that after just four weekend trips to London, I would find myself enjoying a fitness event with some lovely ladies who I already consider to be friends.

gloanna runThanks to Twitter, a few of us realized that the Gloanna Yoga Run was taking place on a weekend which I was in London. A few tweets quickly went back and forth and before we knew it four of us (Charlie, Leah, Kiera, and I) signed up for the event, deciding that it would make a perfect morning and opportunity to get to know each other. Before Saturday, I had met Charlie in person during our lovely run last month, but only knew the other two ladies via more than 6 months of Twitter conversations.

The Gloana Yoga Run is a new event which was recently started in London. It brings together a 5k run, yoga, bubbly, and brunch. The organizers realized that these are multiple things ladies tend to enjoy on their weekends. Why not bring then together in a beautiful park setting and call it a Gloanna Yoga Run? Based on my experience and their marketing behind the event, I think they are definitely on to something and that the event will do wonderfully in just about any city! 

Hosted in the beautiful Battersea Park on an unfortunately dreary morning, there were multiple start times in order to manage the crowds for the run and yoga. Each start time had around 50-75 people which made everything very pleasant. Due to other Saturday plans, our group opted for the first start time, 9am, which worked very well to our advantage. IMG_2106 IMG_2107

There was no advance packet pickup so as soon as we arrived we found our way to the que in order to pick up t-shirts, bibs and wrist bands required for the brunch and yoga. The que was quite long, taking around 30 minuntes. I didn’t mind too much but for those who were in later start times, they found themselves standing in the rain for up to an hour! While this wasn’t ideal, I really respect the fact that the organizers have emailed everyone apologizing after the event and vowed to correct moving forward.  IMG_2109 The bibs which featured our names definitely came in handy since we were getting to know each other. How adorable is the bright pink and the little glo addition?

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Promptly at 9am the first wave was lead through some quick stretches and a warmup before beginning the run. On our way through the start we were encouraged to stop for a prosecco shot to kick off the fun.

IMG_2114 The 5k was a fun run which we all found to be quite refreshing. We enjoyed the two loop route, never once looking or questing our pace but instead talking and taking in the surroundings. The entire time there were volunteers along the route giving us high fives and cheering.

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When we returned to the starting area we were divided into two groups based on yoga ability – beginner and advanced. I convinced the girls to go towards the advanced tent, promising them that we could sit towards the edge in case they wanted to take it slower. I was thrilled with our decision and found the 45 minute class to be very challenging yet perfect for my sore body after Friday’s 20 mile run and the evening flight. The instructor was bubbly and described the poses constantly while a volunteer made her way through the group adjusting us deeper into the poses.

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While my form isn’t perfect I was amazed to find that I was able to hold crow pose for longer than usual as I haven’t been practicing regularly. This class definitely inspired me to research local Geneva yoga studios and our office yoga! I miss yoga so much!

After our yoga session we headed out into the drizzling rain to enjoy the brunch and bubbly portion. There was a group of tents set up for participants to wander through enjoying massages, unlimited prosecco, chair massages, Vita Coco samples, Bounce Ball samples, and finally a sushi and fruit brunch compliments of Whole Foods.  While the sushi choice was a bit random it was still a nice gesture and we each welcomed it after our active morning.

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Regardless of the weather the Gloanna Yoga Run was truly a perfect way to spend the morning with new friends. Hopefully I can help the organizers bring the event to the United States as I am sure it would thrive there!

What are your thoughts? Would you pay $50 for an event like this? If not, what would your price point be?

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Sunday Not So Funday

Happy Sunday! For some of you the day is almost over and for others it’s just beginning. I guess that’s what you get when you write a blog in Geneva that many people read from across the pond. Our day was the opposite of Sunday Funday. We spent every single minute working on the flat or running errands for it until I left for the airport. When working to establish two homes, sometimes you have to sacrifice fun and games until the work is done. IMG_2157We turned down two opportunities to catch up with fellow London friends, including the lovely Casey. In addition, we let two tickets to Buckingham Palace go to waste because we knew that making headway on the flat was more important. Oh well, the good news is that by the time I left this afternoon the flat looked like a home. I mean, when I walked through the door Friday night our sea shipment had exploded all over the kitchen floor and counter.  But by this morning we were able to cook in our kitchen together!IMG_2171 IMG_2172The only other thing we did today besides cleaning, unpacking and organizing was take a walk through Marylebone. It turns out that the shops we needed didn’t open until noon today due to the Sunday Trading Act of 1994.  Since we had 45 minutes until the shops open, we decided to spend the time getting some exercise versus going back home. We quickly walked around the neighborhood, making our way down to the Marble Arch and through the many side streets. IMG_2175As I was leaving this afternoon, on my way to London City Airport for the flight back to Geneva, I took a second to snap this picture of the courtyard. We’re so excited to eventually enjoy this outdoor space. I look forward to many lazy evenings sipping a glass of wine in the courtyard with friends before going to dinner. IMG_2167Unfortunately I don’t have any other pictures of the flat as we were too busy working to think twice about pictures. Hopefully I’ll have more to share with you soon! Until then, goodnight from Geneva and have a wonderful Monday!  I’m counting down the minutes until my parents arrive on Wednesday! It will be so nice to have them here for two weeks!

Here are a few posts coming this week:

  • Gloana Yoga Run
  • Hartford Marathon Training Update
  • September Favorite Things (It’s been too long!)
  • Traveler Tips

How was your weekend?

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London: A Few New Favorite Spots

Today Bo and I spent the afternoon shopping for our Marylebone flat. Have I mentioned how tough it is to set up two homes simultaneously? Unfortunately for Bo, our Geneva flat was prioritized since the moving process started there earlier and is now solidly in a place where I am comfortable entertaining for girl’s night this week!  That said, the London flat is still in much rougher shape.

Luckily, during the madness better known as fighting London crowds while trying to shop on a Saturday, we discovered three new spots, each serving a different purpose.

A Few New Favorite London Spots

Selfridges: There is something to be said for the convenience of shopping in a large department store. Our list of things to buy today included everything and anything including, but not limited to a duvet and cover, shoes for both Bo and myself, a bread knife, power strip, and a UK Apple TV. Walking through the front doors of Selfridges we expected it to be most similar to Saks in New York, delivering a high end shopping experience while still having a range of brands. What was shocking and delighting was the fact that each level in the store served just about every consumer need from clothing to home goods to electronics. In addition, the customer service was absolutely incredible which was so nice given that customer service in Europe (except for five star restaurants and hotels) generally lags far behind the US.  Every single salesperson went above and beyond to meet our needs and help us in anyway possible, even when it included handing us over to another brand shop or associate. We spent more than 30 minutes meandering through their Food Hall which was more like a farmer’s market than a food court. While their prices are on average higher than John Lewis, their competition located across the street, the experience is far more pleasant and worth the extra pence, especially if you have a long list. If you’re visiting London, similar to Harrod’s, it is an experience you shouldn’t miss. Hop into their Food Hall for a delicious lunch and then spend a few hours meandering through their many boutiques and aisles, especially the shoe floor and beauty section.

The Fromagerie: In New York City we never lacked for an abundance of great cheese shops. However, one thing that we’d never seen until today was a walk-in, refrigerated room with showcased cheese. There were even cheese monger’s on hand who happily made phenomenal recommendations and allowed samples.  If you don’t want to find cheeses to take home for your next cheese plate, go for the experience and stay for a snack served in their on-site cafe which looked equally as inviting. IMG_2144The Marylebone: Maybe this bar wins points because it is walking distance from our flat. Or because we happened to walk up to the bar just as we were both reaching the point in the day when we couldn’t handle shopping or walking into one more shop. Regardless, any bar who serves cocktails in Mason jars wrapped in burlap is pretty epic, especially in London. The service was friendly and fast even though they were overflowing with customers on this rainy Saturday evening. From 12-8pm on Saturday they have 2 for 1 specialty cocktails which is quite rare for a bar with mixology as sophisticated as theirs (think house made liquor infusions and blow torches used to caramelize garnishes).  We spent an hour sitting in their outdoor seating relaxing with the bar’s flavored popcorn and sipping drinks. Not a bad way to end a long day of shopping.  IMG_2154

 

 

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