What is UP with the weather?!  You guys are amazing, running through the rain yet again.  And the energy you showed at the end was fabulous.

We leave for Prague in 2 and a half weeks.  I’m hoping that’s starting to feel a bit more like “YAY!” rather than “YIKE!”  Or maybe a bit of both.  We are in the home stretch and you guys are STRONG.  If you had to, you could do the race now.  The next few weeks are just about making it easier.

Unfortunately, I am not going to be here this week.  My dad has been having some strange neurological issues and I’m flying to St. Louis tomorrow (Monday) to take over from my brother.  My return flight is scheduled for Sunday so my plan is to be back here to run Kew with you all next Tuesday.  Fingers crossed that plan holds.

Prague update from Micki.  I know it’s very hard to wait for news and decisions when the whole world is responding to the COVID-19 virus, but that is the space we’re remaining in for now.  You all will have received an e-mail from RunCzech on Thursday with their current status and thinking, and they set an expectation for an update on Monday afternoon.  Our plan at the moment is still to go if the race is on, but we are considering it from many angles, taking in all the new recommendations, and carefully watching all new developments.  Carolyn continues to be in touch with the race organizers, the hotel management and the restaurants to gauge their flexibility, and we are factoring both of those inputs into our thinking as well.  Please bear with us as the situation continues to develop.

Race Gear
Make sure you try out any clothing or gear you might possibly use during the race.  We don’t know yet what the weather will be like (right now, for 10 days from now, my weather app shows high of 51, low of 36, so similar to London, but it could change and be cold or warm – I’ve seen both happen at the last minute in the past).  It could be good to have a pair of cropped running tights if you don’t already have them,  and do a run with them.  Make sure you’ve tried running in a short sleeve shirt.  And no new running bra on race day, of course.  This is the same for any water belt or whatever.  Also try out your music options – you’ll want to bring headphones but won’t start out with them in since we will all be together and chatting 🙂  so where will you put them?  And don’t forget to make a playlist. (really – one year I helped a friend in a panic on race morning because she thought she’d synched her phone with iTunes and it hadn’t worked and she hadn’t checked).

Trip Details
As the trip approaches, Micki and Carolyn will send more detailed emails about the weekend including timing and where to meet for meals, the tours, and anything else scheduled.  They’ll also send some trip packing tips which I will emphasize and add to in a future email.  If you have any questions at all about the race or the weekend, please don’t hesitate to ask.  I know it can be scary not knowing how it’s all going to play out and we want to make you all feel as comfortable and psychologically ready as possible.

WRW Coffee
This Wednesday, we will be having an all-WRW coffee at The Elgin in Maida Vale, 255 Elgin Ave, W9 1NJ and you all are invited (even if you’re not coming to the race).  It is timed to start after the regular MWF run, so about 9:30 – 11.  We would love for you all to come because you are truly part of WRW and it will be a good chance to see some of the other runners who will be coming to Prague.

This Week
This week is a bit of a break week.  This doesn’t mean we get to take it easy, unfortunately.  It just means we don’t increase our time/distance.  We are letting our bodies recover a bit from the last few long runs, giving the muscles time to repair before we move on.  

This route is a classic WRW route along the canal past Camden – The Wall.
We head down towards Regents Park, then enter the canal at the Charlbert entrance and run east [left] cutting through Camden Lock Market until we run out of canal path at Islington.  Touch the canal boat tunnel wall—this is The Wall!—then turn around and re-trace your steps back to Charlbert.  Turn left and run along Prince Albert Rd to Wellington Road and run up to finish back at Barclays.