This was the travelogue I emailed from London to my friends all over the world. My total time for the race was 3:33:19.
Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:50:52
Subject: Hello from London.....
Well, that was the view from above the clouds. As the aircraft pierced through the cotton balls, London's true weather was revealed. My previously sunny countenance alit with anticipation trickled away with the rain drops that slid down the same window I was peeking through just seconds ago. As the aircraft wheels kissed Heathrow's wet runway, I noticed the dark, foreboding firmament.
We disembarked from the aircraft and were bundled into a bus which ferried us to Terminal 4 where I stood in a long queue for my immigration clearance. As I inched my way to the front of the line I noticed that almost all of the immigration officers were......of South Asian descent! I also noticed that a muslim woman in her traditional attire was one of them. As far as my eyesight could travel, I noticed South Asians manning the desks at Immigrations. For a brief moment I wondered if I was at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport but my schnozzle did not register the familiar strong odor that welcomes the visitor to the Delhi airport. Nope, this was indeed Heathrow! Also, I noticed that South Asians were very visible in other establishments such as the Underground which at times made public announcements indiscernible....umm....sometimes, that is. My US passport helped me breeze past the immigrations scrutiny and then began my trek to the hotel.
My hotel was located away from the center of London but only 1.8 miles from Excel Center - the venue for the London triathlon I was scheduled to participate in. It is a new, modern hotel offering all things contemporary. Very stylish. The staff was very friendly, accommodating and customer service oriented. My room was very comfortable. The hotel is located adjacent to Canary Wharf which appears to be a swanky, relatively new, modern real estate development adorned with tall, gleaming skyscrapers and sprawling commercial complexes.
I took the Paddington Express from Heathrow (GBP 15, one way) which deposited me at Paddington Station in approximately 15 minutes. There I boarded the Underground and after changing 3 trains I finally arrived at the hotel at noon. After checking in and a quick shower, I went over to Excel Center where I got my race packet, goodie bag (sans goodies!) and the timing chip. Then I went over to check on my bike rental. Greg, of "Tri and Run", was very helpful in sourcing the bike for me which I had orchestrated from New York via email with him. Greg was a funny chap with a very British self-deprecating sense of humor. After taking care of matters relating to the bike and attending a somewhat inadequate race briefing, I began my hunt for food. I needed to consume calories for my race the next morning. Everywhere I turned, was not vegan friendly. I was disappointed. Finally, I stumbled upon a veggie soy burger which was substantial but remember, now I have soy intolerance so it didn't quite sit that well in my tummy.
After fetching some groceries from Waitrose (imagine Whole Foods but several times larger, cleaner, sleeker!) I crawled into bed at 7pm only to be awake at midnight! I remained awake for about 2 hours and fell asleep and woke up at 3am. I was out of the hotel at 4:30am and at the venue by 4:50am. Greg had mentioned that he and his staff will be there at 4:30am and so I could come and spend some time getting familiar with the bike I had rented. Well, that didn't happen. They didn't open the massive shutters to the main hall where the "transition areas" and the expo were located. Yep, it is a gargantuan facility! Massive in size! It could accommodate two race transition areas for two separate teams and the entire Expo itself. Since most of you are not triathletes, I must explain what a "transition area" is. A triathlon is a three sport event - swimming, biking and running (in that order). When we finish the swim, we run to the transition area where our bikes await us. Here we change the gear from swim to bike, jump on the bike and head out. Essentially, we "transition" from one sporting discipline to another. Similarly, when we finish the bike, we return to the transition area, rack the bike, slip into the running gear and head out for the run. Again, "transitioning" from biking to running. I must laud the Brits for organizing such a large scale sporting event involving 11,000 participants, each participating in three different sporting disciplines.
The shutters opened at 5:50am, 20 minutes late! I had to be in the water at 6:30am. There were 472 men in my wave alone!!! I got my bike from Greg, raced over to rack my bike and set up my transition area and then dashed to the swim start after climbing into my wet suit. Quite honestly, I was exhausted already.
The doors opened and we were directed to the swim assembly area. It was a cold, damp morning. A stiff breeze greeted us. Now, here comes my first challenge. I have done several triathlons but I still don't know how to tread the water! Here, at the London tri, we were required to jump in the water and head to a "starting point" a few meters away from the platform. This is called a "wet start", that is, we start the race while assembled in the water, as opposed to diving in the water from dry land ("dry start"). We were required to wait there, treading the water, until the gun goes off. My only alternative was to jump in the water, hold on to the platform edge until the gun goes off, and try to catch up with the rest. I did exactly that. Yes, that meant I had to swim slightly more than the rest but I had no choice. The water was very cold. The swim route was a rectangle. We were to swim to Tower Bridge and then turn back. As I turned back, I discovered that the tide was against us. Not sure why, but I felt I was swimming against the tide which made the swim back home tougher. Also, the stiff wind wasn't quite helpful either. Finishing the swim portion, I jumped onto the bike. Here comes my next challenge. Remember, I never got to try out the rental bike. The pedals and the gears were slightly different. I had to get accustomed to the new elements as I was riding in the race. Also, in the US, if one chose to slow down he or she is expected to stay to the right and other bikers are expected to pass on the left. It is the opposite in the UK which of course, I learned via the agitated yellings of fellow racers. I was getting educated as I rode the bike. Good stuff! As I rode and struggled with the new pedals and gear system, I took in the sights of London as they passed by me. The day had turned sunny by then but the winds had picked up. It had gotten very windy. My bike swayed at times. As I rode with my strength depleting along with my spirits, suddenly I heard someone scream "Deepak!!!!! Yeah!!! Deepak!! Go Deepak!!!". That was my friend Monica. She too was participating in the race but her race was to begin at noon and so she was being a spectator on the bike course looking for me. Her cheering suddenly infused life into me and bolstered my effort, pumping endorphins into the blood. I felt the spike in my effort and I peddled and peddled and peddled, harder and harder as I could. (Thanks Monica!) We went through a few tunnels, biked along the River Thames and went as far the Tower of London and beyond and then returned. The run portion of the race was the easiest for me. I finished it without much effort.
I am glad this race is over and behind me. This ends my 2008 tri season. Now I work on my marathon training. I am looking forward to the NYC race with great anticipation.
I was in London 10 years ago and I was disenchanted by it then, however, I had wondered if this visit would change my opinion. It didn't. I find London to be a busy, modern, bustling city but it lacks energy and oomph. I know, many jaws just dropped reading this but hey, it is just my personal opinion - Londonphiles mustn't take it too personally. London doesn't quite embrace you, it keeps you at bay. There is always a "chill" in the air, and here I am refering to more than just the weather. Perhaps, London's gloomy weather contributes to it, in an obtuse way. Sunny weather lends a sunny countenance. Gloomy, wet weather brings forth a grimace. I noticed, on certain days, despite the wet forecast, many Londoners were without umbrellas. They darted about with a grimace as raindrops landed on them. However, my experience at most shops and restaurants was quite pleasant. They were very polite and forthcoming with assistance. Unlike in NYC where seeking assistance from a store personnel is almost akin to embarking on an expedition for the holy grail.
Quite like the US, UK's economy too, is ailing. Real estate prices have slumped almost by 15 percent, inflation is twice than what the government previously predicted, unemployment rate is climbing and recession is deemed inevitable. Such statistics portend a rather gloomy economic future. Britain's 17-year vibrant economic growth has effectively ended, they say. Some predict that Britain's depressed economic state will last longer than that of the US. Well, none of this is news to anyone of you unless of course, you crawled under a rock many years ago and don't remember your way out from under it.
My trip to London is coming to an end. I am now at Heathrow waiting for my 5:05pm flight back to NYC. It was nice to be in London for my first overseas triathlon. It was a satisfactory experience. Will I return? Perhaps another sporting event will lure me back someday. Travel costs, especially to places like Britain are becoming so increasingly prohibitive with the Dollar sliding faster than the raindrops on my hotel window combined with the escalating oil prices. I was fortunate to find a good deal ($1,200-plus) for a 3-night and 4-day stay at a very nice hotel, inclusive of airfare.
They just announced the first boarding call for my Delta airlines flight. It is time to end this travelogue. Until next time....let's see where my restless feet take me next.
Cheers!
Deepak
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