For a change, I decided to play a card game when I ran this morning. And I chose stereotype snap. The map shows you exactly where I picked up each stereotype or not. The whole idea is to pick up stereotypes and get points for each one I saw on my run through their respective zones. Now Friday is not a typical day in London, the commuters are noticeably fewer than usual, meaning stereotype snap is not such a point scorer as you may imagine.
I started off at Old Street, looking for Tech Start Up Stereotypes – identified by Apple branded everything and usually a pair of Dr Dre Beats. My score = Nil
Aiming towards Farringdon, I wasn’t aware of seeing any Start Up Stereotypes, but I did see at least two ‘More Media’ stereotypes. Their artwork type briefcases and tight trousers gave them away. My score = 2
On towards Lawyer Wanker territory, – typified by all black clothing and sharp, bright white shirt shirting, regardless of gender. The most monochrome experience you can get in one area – any hint of colour frowned upon. My score = 30+ (I lost count)
Soho, rather surprisingly isn’t given any stereotypes on the map. But I did pass 20th Century Fox and an interestingly named restaurant…, but Covent Garden wasn’t far away, so onwards to find the Living Statue Wankers. I’m thinking 8.30 am is too early for them to get up – even Yoda, who thinks we are fooled by his capacious gown, which clearly doesn’t have enough room for an alarm clock. My score = Nil
Then back towards Fleet Street in search of ‘Journalists Used To Be Here’. As the pubs were not yet open, there was no sign of any old soaks reminiscing about the good old days when you smoked 40 John Player Specials for Breakfast with a Johnnie Walker chaser or five. My score = Nil
My final stereotype search was for ‘Nervous Men Buying Rings’ in Hatton Garden, or at a push I’d have settled for ‘Old Men Plotting a Bank Vault Raid’. With me running before 9am, this clearly meant all the plotters (whether for burglary or marriage) weren’t yet out. My score =Nil
Total Stereotype Score = 32 points.
Running score however was 9kms.
Playlist
Alison – Elvis Costello
Eloise – The Damned
Francine – ZZ Top
Gloria – Laura Branigan
Helena – My Chemical Romance
Poison Ivy – The Lambrettas
Jean Genie – David Bowie
Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
Kayleigh – Marillion
Layla – Derek and the Dominoes
Maggie May – Rod Stewart
Darling Nikki – His Purple Highness
Ophelia – The Band
Queen of Clubs – KC and The Sunshine Band
Roxanne – The Police
Sherry – Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Teresa – Eddie Cochran
Single Ladies – Beyoncé
Valerie – Ronson and Winehouse
St Xenia – Katina
Zoe Jane – Staind
Stats
Distance 9.06km
Time 57:35
Average Pace 6:21
Elevation Gain 40 metres
Alzheimer’s Challenge
Kms Run 1034.76
To Run 983.24
