I am in love with Primrose Hill. I cannot think of a better place in London that I want to be right now. The times I see Primrose Hill park is when I am out in the evenings on my runs. It's a beautiful park just north of Regent's Park and is still a hidden gem in the centre of London. It's open 24 hours so no locked gates and is very prettily lit in the evenings.
I've been going out for about 2 hours at a time recently and I've been doing 15k + each time. I am still not the fastest runner that does the general circuit at Regent's Park but my music helps me get to where I need to get to and before I know it two hours is up and I'm power walking up Primrose Hill sucking cold air into my lungs and feeling that lovely warm, achey glow that comes at the end of a long run. A few stretches when I get to the top and I drink in the view of the London skyline. If you haven't stood at the top of Primrose Hill, I thoroughly recommend it. It's always peaceful, calm and serene and is a really inspiring sight. I have always loved London from when I was a little girl and I used to come down to visit family but when I finally moved here and settled in NW London, Primrose Hill was one of the first places I visited and it made me fall in love with London all over again. On warm summer evenings you may even get the chance to spot the odd celeb strolling along (Jude Law, Sadie Frost and Gwen Stefani all have homes near the park) looking like any other local and I love that they are left alone to do their own thing.
I went out on Monday evening and did almost 20k and my legs were shattered at the end of my run. I still found the energy to jog up to the very top of the hill and my iPod was still going strong when I got to the top. There was nobody else around on the top of hill (which is mostly dark) and the view and the fact I had done a long run in the week actually made me want to dance. And you know what? I did! I was at the top of Primrose Hill in all my running gear, red faced, still out of breath and busting a groove in my favourite place in the whole wide world. No one was watching (I hope!) and it was exhilarating. Getting down to some upbeat tunes is really uplifting. I then laughed all the way home thinking what a sight I must have been!
I think the point I am making is that there are lots of little, simple things we can do to boost our mood. This very cold weather is not helping anyone, I am still fundraising like crazy and everything hurts from all the training but it's all worth it in the end. I keep thinking that however often I may feel a bit down or doubting that I can actually do this, something happens to lift my spirits and I feel positive and raring to go again. Not forgetting that the fact I am going out 3-4 times a week is so great for my overall health and wellbeing. I'm sleeping better, my skin is in really good condition, I've toned up a bit and do more in the day than I used to. People have been full of positive comments. even awe, that I am doing the London Marathon and you know what? Right now I'm pretty much in awe of myself to!
Until next week.
Sarah
Hi Sarah, I went over Primrose Hill on Sunday but it wasn't very tranquil, in fact it was very busy and there were a lot of runners puffing their way up the hill! I don't know if you've tried running along the Grand Union Canal (I started between Primrose Hill and Regents Park and headed west). It's a lot quieter and you can largely forget you're in London for stretches of it but you don't get that fantastic view.
It tends to be quieter midweek and the fact I go running after work when it is pitch black helps! I did go running along the Grand Union Canal but it creeped me out - no lights, bikes looming out of no-where and running near water kept throwing me off balance! Perhaps I will try again when it is lighter and I can see where I am going. Running round Regent's Park is nice but it does get a bit boring after a while as the park is locked before 5.30pm so you don't get to run through it. Bring on the Summer! Sarah
I have been going to Primrose Hill ever since I was a little girl and my husband actually lived in Barrie House which is just by the St Johns wood exit.Its gorgeous up there.I take my schnauzer Billy for a run most weekends in the summer and the view is inspiring.I worked as a district nurse around the hill for years and would eat my lunch at the top just staring at the view.
I envy you running in such a fab place.
Also in my opinion as a Greek one of the best Greek Restaurants ...Lemonia is situated just along the hill on Regents Park Rd...it must be good as have spotted Alan Sugar and Gwen Stefani dining in there with us Greeks!!!!