Dear Runners,

I’m not sure how long we can keep calling you beginners for – this week we are scheduled to run 60 minutes straight!  Once again you all did really well, and coped beautifully even when we had to abort our original plan due to the canal closure.  Kavita and Colleen managed to negotiate their way around the diversion and got to Runner’s Need, only to find out we weren’t there – maybe I should take a lesson from them!  Now that I know how they did it, we could try again in January – I know some of you were interested in buying water packs, winter wear etc, though those of you heading back to the US could possibly do that there.

 I was thrilled to find out that those of you who didn’t make it out on Thursday at 8:15, met up later and did the two 30 minute segments – honestly, you are all making our job so much easier!  Well done!  

This Thursday, we are running to Westfield mall.  I had initially thought of doing a round trip back to St John’s Wood, but one of last year’s runners told me the Westfield mall run was very memorable for her, so I decided to stick with it and take you all there.  You will be absolutely fine, we will mix it up with a little park running and a lot of street running, which means stops for traffic lights etc.  You ran two 30 minute segments easily last week, so the 60 minutes will not be much different, believe me.  Bring your Oyster cards, and some money – we will find a Starbucks in the mall and have coffee, and then those of you who have some last minute shopping can do so, as by 10 all the shops will be open. 

On a different note, a lot of the runners end the run at the SJW Starbucks and traditionally every year, we collect money for the staff there, and give it to them with a basket of baked goodies.  Bonnie, Betsy and I have been collecting money from the other groups, so if any of you are interested, please let us know, although there is no pressure whatsoever – it is purely voluntary.

For those of you around during the holidays, I will be here, and am happy to run on Thursdays if you wish to, just let me know.  For the next few weeks, the Thursday run should be a 60 minute one, while Tuesday should be 45, and the weekend run, 30 minutes.  Please try to get out to run when you can – it will make it easier for you to continue when we get back.

Finally, have a wonderful holiday, and see you all in the New Year.

Syma