Hello Runners!
My goodness – we had a fabulous run to Kew this week. You are all troopers! That’s not an easy run – particularly the longer version (10.5 miles instead of 9.5 miles) which is what we did. We now have only 2 weeks of serious training, then the last week before Lisbon we’ll take it easy. This Thursday we are running to Wembley Central and will take the tube home (Bakerloo to Baker St. then Jubilee to SJW). It’s about a 90 minute run. Although we are “only” running 90 minutes, this route is tough. After we get on the canal in Maida Vale, we’ll be running without street crossings/red-men for miles. It will give you an idea of what Lisbon will feel like – no stops, no walking, no red lights, etc. For the next 3 Thursday runs, we will start running from Starbucks so you may want to jog in place a bit or walk briskly to Starbucks. This is how the race will work – we’ll gather at the start line, the gun will go off and we’ll start running. We won’t do our normal 5 minute walk to warm-up so let’s get used to it!
Thank you so much for your input on where you fit into the group and who you feel comfortable running with. Your group is quite different prior years beginners. You often hang together for a lot of the run. I’m thinking we will group up at the race start (all 22 of us). The race will begin and Syma will lead the way. We’ll go back to the duckling rule and no one will be allowed to get ahead of Syma. She will set a steady pace for us and will adjust that pace for the front of the pack based on how they are doing. I’m guessing that after a few miles the group will string out. With your group, we usually have the same group in the back – so that pack will run with me. Sometimes you end up with a large front pack and medium-size middle pack and sometimes you end up with a smaller group at the front and a large group in the middle. So…… Becky will be next in line. She’ll either hang out in the back of the front pack (if that’s the large group) or the front of the middle pack (if that’s the larger group). Bonnie will be next in line. She’ll either be running alone with a small middle pack or at the back of a large middle pack. Who knows? We may end up running in 4 packs which will also work out perfectly. However it works out, please be aware of which coach you are running with. If you start to drop back, let your coach know. Chances are the group behind you is not that far back and you can end up running with them. Most of all, I don’t want anyone running alone. It’s no fun – why join a running group if you end up running the race alone?
You will have seen the information about temperatures in Lisbon on the trip update I just sent out. For this group, I would bring a lot of running clothes options. Don’t wear anything new – particularly shoes! If you want new shoes, buy them immediately. You have just enough time to break them in before the race. Don’t wear new clothes – test them first on a training run. You never know if things will rub or irritate you. Figure out now what you are going to eat for breakfast before the race and try it out one morning before a run. If there is something particular that you like for breakfast, consider bringing it with you if possible. If you still have questions about gels, let me know. You are not bothering me! I would rather get this stuff sorted out now than mid-race. Some of you have asked about water during the race. You have options. We are all running now with water bottles on the training runs. If you like the idea of having water when you want it and being able to sip on it, then run the race with your water bottle. If you don’t want to carry your water bottle, there will be water stations on the course every 2 miles or so. When making this decision, also think about whether you like to stop/start or not. If you are getting your water from stations along the way, you’ll have to slow down a bit at the station, maybe walk a few steps as there are often groups of people around the water tables. Some of you like having a little rest like that, some of you hate it. Also, carry your running shoes (and anything else that is critical) with you on the plane. Don’t check it in your suitcase. If the airline happened to lose your bag, it would be awful having to piece together a running outfit (particularly shoes).
I’ve decided that we will do one more long run on Thursday, 15 March. I’ll let you know the route once I’ve set it.
See you Thursday for the run and for the party!
xo,
Paula