Hi everyone,
Thanks for another great week of running!  You’ve all been so friendly and welcoming – I really appreciate it!  We have more new runners joining us this week, so make sure you take a minute to say Hi.

This week we return to some of favourite runs.  Monday we head off to the heart of London with a 4-mile run to Big Ben and then we take the tube home from Westminster.  Remember your Oyster card!  Runners who are training for a fall half-marathon can loop back home for an 8-mile route.  As always, if you haven’t been training all summer, don’t be tempted to do the longer route.  Gradually adding mileage is one of the best ways to avoid injury.  Wednesday we run west along the canal and loop back home through Notting Hill.  The entire route is 6 miles, but you can easily shorten it by turning back at any point along the canal.  If you want to run a total of 4 miles, the 2-mile turn around point is when the Westway motorway is over your head.  Friday we’re back up the Hill!

A few quick announcements:

Beginner Group starts this week
We delayed the start of the beginner group because of the ASL PCA meeting last week.  Our new start date is Thursday 11 September.  If you know anyone who is interested, please email me.

Running in the Rain?
A few new folks have asked if we run in the rain.  The answer is Yes!  (In a few months you might be asking if we ever run in the sun!) The truth is that we’ll often have grey skies or drizzle but rarely do we have a total downpour.  (Am I tempting fate by making that statement?!)  Also, don’t be too swayed by the forecast.  We had many days last year where the forecast was for rain, but it didn’t actually start raining until we were finished with our run. In any case, it does make sense to invest in a good breathable running jacket for wet days.

Our Experts
If you’re looking for a physio, osteopath, podistrist or personal trainer, check out the “Our Experts” tab on the website.  We also have people listed who help with functional movement analysis and weight management.  (Functional movement analysis is a good tool to prevent injuries.)  All the people listed on the website are recommended by women in the group.

Finally, please let me know if you are new and you need some help finding a group that is running your pace.  I’m happy to help.

Keep running,

Jane

ROUTES

Monday, 8 September – Big Ben (4-8 miles)
This is such a fun route!  We run right through the heart of London and stop at the famous Big Ben.  The 8 mile option is for runners planning to do a fall half-marathon.

On Monday we head to Hyde Park via the usual route. Start heading west on Circus Road and turn left on Grove End and follow south as it becomes Lisson Grove.  Cross over Marylebone Road and continue on Seymour Place until the end.  Turn right and cross over Edgware Road and then left to enter Hyde Park at the intersection with Stanhope Place.   Run along the eastern edge of the park to Hyde Park Corner, under the arch and down Constitution Hill.  Run passed the Victoria Memorial down the mall and enter St. James Park.  Run over the pond and out of the park, turning left onto Birdcage Walk and down into Parliament Square to Big Ben.  Those running four miles will take the tube back to SJW from here and those running eight will turn around and follow the same route back.

Wednesday, 10 September – Notting Hill (4-6 miles)
Run out the canal to the west and exit at Ladbroke Grove.  Run to Elgin Crescent and make a left.  Continue to Ledbury and go right and then left at Westbourne Grove.  Run down Westbourne Grove over Bishop’s Bridge and down the steps into Sheldon Square.  Go back along the canal and out where you entered and back to Starbucks.

You also have the option of a shorter run by not getting off the canal. Run half the distance you want, turn around and head home.

Friday 6 September – The Heath (4-8 miles)

It’s Friday [again!], so everyone up Fitzjohn’s.  You can pick your distance and whatever you choose, there will certainly be someone else interested in running that distance.  All of these routes are on the website.

If you are not up for a hill run yet, no problem, just let us know.  Every week there are a group of women who prefer to do a flat run.  We can help make sure that you find each other.

4 miles:  A great way to ease into running the hill.   Run up to the Hampstead tube station and back.

5 miles: The Betsy Route
6-7miles:  The partial Heath route
8 miles:  The full Heath route

Click here for maps of all of the Heath routes.