Very excited about this new post as it is the first one where I’ll actually be able to tell you about one of my recent runs and also because I had it featured as the first kick-starter project that Running Around with the Locals will hopefully become.

The day started really promising and very early. At 7am when I left my house the sun was already peaking out in the horizon and creating a pretty amazing and almost artistic spectacle.

I left my house, destination Turnpike Lane station where I would be meeting my partner in crime and fellow runner for the day, who also happens to be my brother. It seemed very fitting that the first person I would run with to then share with you in my first post should be my brother. Why? Because he’s been my partner in crime in many different runs already and it was actually thanks to him that I was now on my way to Ealing at 7am in the morning to run 21k. My brother is a pretty amazing individual who’s been through some pretty tough goings and who’s got some pretty badass scars to prove it. Nevertheless, he always presses on and I find it inspirational that he’s achieved some pretty amazing things and still finds the energy to work his way through the miles and also to have earned more marathon medals than me (something which I’m not particularly happy about and which I’m still yet to remedy!).

Back on the Picadilly Line, we realised we weren’t the only runners on our way to Lammas Park in Ealing. We encountered quite a few bare legged runners along the way; some still half asleep, others re-adjusting their watches (or, wrist mini-computers) and clearly keen to go and run what would possibly become their personal best.

Lammas Park, Ealing

Needless to say, once we got there, the atmosphere in the park was electric. My brother, bearded fellow in the picture above, clearly one of the runners who was still half asleep!

Having had quite an overcast week prior to the run, the day of the half was pretty amazing and sunny. Having arrived at Northfields station, we were guided towards the park by a trail of yellow ribbons, which meant that it was fairly easy to find our way to the park, but which also added a note of sobriety to the day. Once in the park, we were welcomed by some very friendly and incredibly helpful marshals who made the prelude to the run fairly enjoyable, and who even allowed me to enter the restricted bagging area to search for my bag, when I realised, about 20 minutes before the run was due to begin that I’d left my knee strap inside my bag! Thankfully, the volunteers were very helpful and we managed to find it among a sea of rucksacks, just in time!

Trapped in the melee of runners!

The course itself was really nice and tidy and I would highly recommend it. A very rewarding route, with a couple of punishing uphill slopes, but also quite a few rewarding downhill runs. Although I found the route a little bit “loopy” (in the sense that it had quite a few turns, not that it was somehow crazy) it was very entertaining. I was also surprised by the pockets of supporters that we had throughout the race and which made the miles go somewhat easier. Although the sunny weather was perfect for the bystanders, it wasn’t particularly great for the runners; some who were clearly affected by the heat, but which were seen to and attended by a really well run team of volunteers and medics who were on standby at all times to lend a helping hand when needed.

All in all, the Ealing Half Marathon was a really well run event and I think it would really suit those who would be looking to achieve a fast time and maybe achieve a personal best!

Running the Ealing Half has been the perfect way to start this blog. I don’t think I could have called it Running Around with the Locals if I hadn’t started with my local runners here in London! It was also great to do the “first” run with my brother and also a bit sad as this is possibly the last run we’ll do together for the next four months, as I’ll be setting off to South East Asia to meet some fellow runners over there. He’ll be continuing his adventures here in the UK and I will hopefully be bringing you some exciting stories from some far away lands.

Check out the whole race-day gallery below!