Hello Runners,
Canary Wharf……. done. Now we’re moving on to Kew! Congratulations on a fabulous run last week. Canary Wharf is HUGE – it’s such a long run. Kew is further, but it should feel a bit easier than the run to Canary Wharf. For Kew, we run down Lisson Grove to Hyde Park. We’ll do a diagonal across the park then run west out Kensington High Street to Hammersmith where we cross the river Thames. Once we cross the river, we run along the riverbank on a dirt path to Kew. It’s lovely – a beautiful route. There is a Starbucks in Kew. After some stretching and a coffee, we’ll take the train back to West Hampstead or Finchley Road, then tube or bus back to SJW.
If you have some gels, bring one. If you don’t have any gels yet, I’ll have plenty to choose from in my backpack. You will also need your water bottles and Oyster card. For the gels, if you are running in the front or middle packs, try to wait until 8 miles to do your gel. If you are in the back of the pack, we’ll probably do it a bit earlier. You need to do the gel before you feel you need it, so try to be diligent about that. Once you feel as though you need a gel, it’s a bit late.
As for the next few weeks, I’m not 100% sure what we will be doing. We will definitely be going to Wembley on Thursday, 8 March, but the following week (15 March) I’ll decide about after this run to Kew. We may do another long run. Let me know if you have a preference or you feel you need another long run or would prefer to have more of a rest. The Thursday before the race we’ll be running an easy 60 minutes at a very gentle pace. Does that crack you up? When did 60 minutes of running become easy?
Ladies, I know you don’t believe me (yet), but you’re ready for this race. There have been many years when the beginners group longest run was to Canary Wharf – and then they went on to do the half-marathon and all finished. You are way ahead of schedule. You’ll be doing Kew this week, then possibly one more long run before the race. You’re amazing. Please let me know if it’s all becoming too much. I’ll keep pushing you until you tell me that’s it – you’ve had enough!
One final comment – to the “Carols” and Sujatha…. running to Canary Wharf is enough – there is no need to add mileage here and there. If you want to run further, let me know!!! We can leave the group at Kew this week and carry on to Richmond. No worries!!! (Please know I’m kidding!).
One more final comment/question, if you have “found” your running partner or your running “pack”, let me know how you’re seeing that. We need to start finalizing how/where everyone will be running in the race. It would be most helpful to know where you see yourself fitting in. Honestly. Like this…… I feel comfortable running with x, I’m usually slightly ahead of y, and usually I’m slightly behind z. Some of you have told me this while we’re running but I must be getting old. I can’t remember it 2 minutes later when I’m home and looking at your group listing. Thanks a million for that!
See you Thursday,
Paula