One of the best thing’s about mine and Laura’s challenge to run the length of every Tube Line in London is that people “get it”.
Sure, most people don’t spend their Sundays running 20, 30, 40 miles through Central London but it’s understandable in a way that, say, climbing mountains or skiing to Poles might not be.
That makes it all the more important and fun to document. The only practical way to do that as we go is through Twitter. Here are some updates from the first four runs:
Circle Line – January 10th, 15 miles, 3 hours
Big carbs, early night. Tomorrow I’m running my first Tube route. 14 miles around the Circle Line
Underneath Big Ben in running shoes facing east. 14 miles around the Circle Line and I’ll be back.
Dodged shoppers and discount jumpers in Petticoat Lane Market. Coming up to King’s Cross for a stint on Euston Road.
Can really feel that concrete on the joints. Quick water stop in Notting Hill. Due south to Kensington next.
15 miles, 2hrs 53mins and some great sights through Central London. Now where’s the nearest sandwich…?
Hammersmith & City Line – January 24th, 22 miles, 4 hours
In Hammersmith for a run. Heading for Goldhawk Road first then Shepherd’s Bush Market. Then Wood Lane, Latimer Road… You get the picture.
Crossed the Westway and over Portabello Road now back for the long slog along the A40.
Wiggled my way through an industrial estate near West Ham. Only two pages of the A-Z left.
I just ran from Hammersmith to Essex!
Victoria Line – January 31st, 15 miles, 3.5 hours
Scribbling biro across a map of London. Running the thin blue line from Brixton today.
Frost on the ground and vapour trails in the sky. Crossed Vauxhall Bridge, making a beeline for Green Park.
Lycra-clad and sweaty amongst crowds at Oxford Circus.
“Ooh, Running The Tube!” a lady from my chest as I run past on Caledonian Road. Almost makes the matching yellow t-shirts worthwhile.
Walthamstow Central. Victoria Line – Tick!
East London Line – February 10th, ~7 miles, 1.5 hours
Flurries of snow litter an orange sky. On my way to run the old East London Line
Stood shivering at the end of a dark and dodgy alley in the East End. Whose idea was this?
East End alley ways, Rotherhithe Tunnel, Tesco car park and McDonalds drive-thru. Not pretty but that’s the fourth line down.
Had to wheel my bike the whole way. Thank God East London’s the second shortest line.
