The Day I Raced the World

31.08.2008

Lee and I slept in today. Had some cereal; Special K Oats & Honey (because they don't have Vector in the UK!!!!! Grrrrr...). Got organized and headed to the train station with Lee and his housemate Paul. My first time on the train! A beautiful blue and yellow train with comfortable crimson seats. Along the route into London we passed several interesting sights including MI:6 Headquarters (think James Bond). Every inch of the premises monitored by dozens of surveillance cameras. Is that a challenge?

We arrived at Waterloo Station and switched to a tube (subway). The tube was a little dirtier, hotter and more smelly than the train but still cleaner, cooler and less smelly than any LTC bus I've ever been on (you know what I'm talking about, London, Ontario friends). We exited at Leicester Square and resurfaced. We're here to meet Adam, the young man I shared a bedroom with while working at Walt Disney World. The young man who has an unhealthy obsession with Indiana Jones. The young man who peed in our closet.

It's been more than four years since I've seen the bloke. Adam chose the Odeon Cinema as the meeting place. As we waited for him outside, Lee noticed that we were standing on something quite appropos- a plaque of Walt Disney's signature! Hows that for a little Disney magic!? As we wait, my head keeps turning as I try to take in all the sights and sounds of Central London. I feel energized. Then, in the distance I see the statuesque 6'2" frame and confident stride that could only belong to one man. I couldn't help but shout, "MULLET!!" (his old nickname in Florida) and give my long lost roommate a hug.

Lee, Adam and I caught up over lunch and then headed back to the tubes. It's my first full day in the UK and I'm about to make a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Nike+ has organized the first ever global race.

The Nike+
Human Race
10km

25 cities around the world. 1 million runners.

Proceeds going to LIVESTRONG, The World Wildlife Fund and The United Nations Refugee Fund ninemillion.org (thats the one I chose).

The London race starts and finishes at the world famous Wembley Stadium: Where Queen performed their famous concert in '86. Where Live Aid was held. Where champions play.

We arrive at the stadium and it's quite a sight. With all of the runners walking into Wembley wearing their Nike+ issued red race shirts it looks like an army of red ants returning to their mound. Lee and Paul head to the spectator area, Adam and I make our way down to the pitch. This is also Adam's first time to Wembley and you can see the pure joy on his face. Adam is a big footballer (thats soccer, for my friends back in North America) and to be standing where the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham have all stood is a total honour for him.

Before the race begins, the arena gets fired up to live performances by Pendulum (incredible!) and Moby (incredibly awful!). British icon and Women's 10km world record holder Paula Radcliffe blows the air horn and we're off! With our iPods on, Adam and I look each other in the eye, exchange a final high-five and dash through the Wembley tunnel, out to the streets of London. I, to the motivational beat of "Rocky Fly Now" and Adam is bounding to "Ayo Technology" by 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake (Adam was always a little funny).

47 minutes and 29 seconds later I sprint back into Wembley and across the finish line to "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen. A fitting way to finish the race, I think.

I will never forget The Day I Raced the World.