BLOG: From Walpole to London Olympics: Last Day in London

Well in less than 10 hours I will be on my flight back to Boston. Seems like yesterday I was writing my first blog entry before arriving here in London for the Olympics. Time sure does fly when you are having fun.

For my last full day in Great Britain, I spent time in Teddington, about a half hour train ride outside of the heart of London. Here, my friends Emma and Kate took me around the suburb, showing me all the must see spots.

To start off the day, Emma and I went for a walk in Bushy Park, one of the nation's most scenic areas. While inside, we saw many packs of wild deer with giant antlers. You could get so close to the animals, you could almost touch them! Coming to London I never thought I'd see massive deer so close to the city.

Bushy Park is also where some of the world's best distance runners come to train when they are in Europe. Its vast flat greenland and endless trails make it a runners haven. Late in the day, Kate and I went for a half hour run on the trails, passing the Kenyan Olympic team as we entered the park. Listening to Kate tell stories of how the best in the sport have trained on the very same paths as I ran along got my adrenaline pumping. I wanted to race then and there!

Speaking of the world's best congregating in Teddington, after we stopped for lunch we walked along the main street of the town, peering into many of the elegant shops lining the street. Only moments into our walk did we run into two of Great Britain's Olympians from last week's games in Jo Pavey and Scott Overall. Good friends of the Reed's, we stopped and chatted for a bit.

We also spent some time at Hampton Court Palace, which is an amazing palace and garden adjacent to Bushy Park and the River Thames.

One of Teddington's most famous faces is Mo Farrah, the double Olympic champion who was one of the biggest stars for Team GB at this year's games. As is tradition in Great Britain, when an athlete wins gold at the Olympics, one mailbox in his or her town is painted gold in their honor. Passing Mo's gold box, we had to stop for pictures.

To cap off the fun day, the three of us ate at a traditional curry restaurant. Earlier in the week, I thought I got the full curry experience when at Whole Foods with Emma and Kate. But this full course, delicious meal blew it out of the water. I've really grown on the spicy food, something I was hesitant to try at first.

I want to extend a gracious thank you to both Emma and Kate for being such great tour guides and welcoming me with open arms. They made my time here in Great Britain that much funner, making sure I experienced all of what London had to offer.

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As I write this post, I think back to all the amazing memories I have gained over the past two and a half weeks. From Wimbledon to Olympic Park, the Olympic Stadium and Cauldron to the historical sights and time spent with old and new friends. Never in my life have I experienced so much.

I feel like my time here in London has been similar to a mini semester abroad. Though I haven't taken any school classes, I have learned so much about television production, media, the Olympics, London, and the European culture.

Though I would love to stay here in London longer, Walpole and Ithaca are calling, reminding me that it is time to get back home to the States and prepare for the upcoming school year.

I will always remember my trip to London and the Games of the XXX Olympiad, for they have truly been an experience of a lifetime.

To reconnecting in Rio and the 2016 Summer Games, cheers!

Used with Permission from Ithaca College Sports Management and Media