So I have no doubt that this is the best out-the-hotel-room-window view I have ever had, anywhere…

That would be from room 235 of the London Marriott County Hall. I plan on requesting it from here on in.

It’s a tradition I have after every British open; treating myself to a day’s stopover in London. Nothing to do, no one to see, no pressure–just leave the equipment cases in storage at Heathrow, hop on the train, and be back in London in time for a little nap and a wander into Soho for some dinner. Maybe a little sightseeing the next day, a trip to Jermyn Street for a couple of shirts at Harvie & Hudson (my favorite), and of course a stop to load up on (literally) pounds of Cadbury Dairy Milks, Wispas, and Nestle Aeros to smuggle back across the pond.

And of course there’s The Run. My favorite in the world, and not to be missed. Forget the double-decker bus tours; here is my way of seeing the sights in London: Leave the County Hall at 5:30 a.m. just as the sun is starting to glint off of Big Ben. Cross Westminster Bridge, hang a right on the embankment, and run up Northumberland Street to Trafalgar Square. Head up the Mall, with Buckingham Palace right in front in the distance, and continue all the way to Wellington Arch and Hyde Park Corner. At 1.6 miles, a round trip from there is a nice little 5K; or if I’m feeling up to it, Hyde Park beckons for as much as I feel like. And then back down the Mall, over the Jubilee Bridge, and, again depending on what distance I feel like doing, either turn left and head for Tower Bridge, or turn right and slip past the Eye–either way I’ll wind up at the Starbucks just past the hotel for a much needed cool-down cup of coffee.

It’s a great way to unwind from a week of craziness, and a tradition I hope to continue for a long time to come.