Dear Runners,

Wow, what a great run last week!  It exceeded my expectations – having not run with you the two weeks previously, I was naturally very apprehensive as to how the 80 minute run would go (especially given that I know a few of you had conflicts and have not been coming out with the group at 8:15).  We had a great turnout, with 21 runners (I know Kavita and Colleen have been doing a great job with keeping up with their training) and you all did exceptionally well.  You all ran the paces you were comfortable with, talked throughout the run and managed to impress Jane, Bonnie and I!  Ladies we have 8 weeks for the half marathon, and you are well on target with your training!  You are all running 2 other days of the week, and some of you have already started tackling the hills – thanks so much for making our job easier!  It is truly exciting to see how well you are doing and how motivated you are!

This week we will be running 90 minutes.  I had planned a destination run to Vauxhall through Hyde and Battersea Parks, so we would have some uninterrupted periods of running, but it sounds as though there is a tube strike this week, which will make it difficult for us to get back from Vauxhall.  If things change between now and Thursday, I will revert to the original route, but as it stands now, I have planned a route that will bring us back to SJW.  Please be sure to bring your gels – you will need to take a gel during this run.  I will have some with me for those who have not managed to pick some up, but bear in mind you will also need to bring water.  These runs are getting longer and longer and hydration is essential, but also the gels are better taken with water.  If you want more information on what types of gels there are, let me know – and there is also information in last week’s email to the MWF group, which you can find on the Women Running the World website (www.womenrunningtheworld.com).  Please understand that you do need to take at least one gel, and maybe even two, during the race, and you need to get used to doing that from now.  I have a few different flavours, so let me know if you have not managed to get some in time for Thursday’s run.  During the run, we (the coaches) will let you know when to take a gel.

See you Thursday!

Syma