2016-17 Beginners Week 27

Hi everyone!

I am looking forward to seeing your smiling faces tomorrow morning for our Canary Wharf run.  It’s going to be great!
A quick note – you probably saw the request Jane sent out about seating at Sunday’s post-race dinner.  Just so you know, the beginners will all be seated together with the coaches.  The email goes to everyone going on the trip automatically – I just wanted to make sure you all knew the drill.
Before we begin our run, there will be some filming for the race video that should take just 5 minutes.  I believe this is with all of the runners who happen to be running tomorrow, not just the beginners.
OK – for the run, don’t forget:
  • eat something before the run
  • bring water
  • bring a gel if you have one
  • bring your Oyster card
  • bring money/credit card for margaritas and breakfast burritos!
If there are any gels left (which I assume there are), we will bring them in case you haven’t had a chance to get your own yet.
As with last week’s run, we will split into pace groups at the start but the groups will be fluid – if you feel like you want to slow down, there will be a group just behind.  Also, note that this run is a run to Canary regardless of the time.  It is an estimated 120 minutes but if you get there a bit sooner or a bit later, that is OK.  Our training is now more about the distance, not the time, and the time is just a guideline.  We will take our gels about 70-80 minutes into the run, roughly around the Victoria Park area.  And we will see if we can take them while continuing to run…
A quick note about the route – there is work happening along the canal towards Canary so we will have to get off and get back on.  It’s pretty straightforward, I just wanted you to be aware.
DETOUR
Exit the canal at Camden Road, which is where the canal is now blocked. Turn left on Camden High Street and then make your first right. On the map, this is Castlehaven Road which becomes Harley Road but it is not well marked on the street. Turn right on Kentish Town Road. You can reenter the canal at the Kentish Town Rd bridge. There is a small unmarked entrance to return to the canal along the construction boards.
Canary Wharf route
Section One – Canal to the Wall
The route starts out as the Wall.  Run along Prince Albert Road to join the canal at Charlbert Street.  Run along the canal for approximately 3 miles until the canal pathway ends at the famous “Wall.”  [with the detour above]

Section Two – Angel Roads
We need to run through the Angel neighbourhood until we can re-enter the canal path.   At the wall follow the ramp up to Muriel Street.  Take a right and then an almost immediate left up a path that winds between the apartment buildings.  See the picture below for the entrance to the path.



Keep going straight on the path and it will become Maygood Street.  When you get to the intersection of a main road (Barnsbury Road) turn right.  Run until you make the second left onto Chapel Market.  (There is a metal archway saying Chapel Market and a zebra crossing at the intersection.)  Follow Chapel Market until the end.  (NB:  There is a public Ladies Room at the end of White Conduit Street, which intersects with Chapel Market about midway.)  Turn right at Liverpool Street to the major road Upper Street.  Cross Upper Street and turn left.  (NB:  Angel Tube Station is to your right if you are going home from here.)  Make your first right at Duncan Street and follow until the end.  The entrance to the canal path will be directly in front of you.  Go straight along the canal (NOT a sharp right turn.)

Section Three – Canal to Limehouse Basin
We run for about 4 miles following the canal path past Victoria Park to the Limehouse Basin.  We exit the canal path at the wire looking bridge – see picture below – and take the brown brick steps up to the left.



Section Four – Limehouse Basin to Canary Wharf
At the top of the brick steps, go straight.  At the Limehouse Gallery and Bronze Age shop turn right.  Run along the water until you reach the second metal foot-bridge leading to a park.  Cross the bridge and run through the park.  After the park, you’ll run straight, under an arch and the water will be on your right.  Run with the water on your right until you see the long flight of steps next to Royal China – see picture below.  You’re almost there!  Only a third of a mile remaining!

Run up the steps and straight ahead, through the small park to India Drive and then veer slightly right along Cabot Square.  You’re heading for the big skyscraper building in front of you.  Stop when you see the sign for the Canary Wharf DLR Station at the ‘mall’ entrance on the South Colonnade.  We’ll meet at the Starbucks inside the building, just right of the entrance.  After a much earned coffee, we’ll head to the Canary Wharf Tube station [Jubilee Line] and tube it home to SJW.  Congratulations!