Wow – you ladies are MACHINES!  I cannot tell you how many of the regular WRW runners have told us coaches how impressed/amazed they were with you guys out there running in that weather on Thursday.  You are already LEGENDS!  And really, if you can run in that, you are ready for anything!  So congratulations to you for just getting it done.

AND congratulations to those of you who ran the Regents 10K!!  What a great day you had for it.  SO PROUD OF YOU!!

So, let’s get down business.

COVID-19
This is the message Micki sent out to the regular MWF group about the race and potential impact due to the virus – wanted to make sure you are all aware of our thoughts/plans.

Let’s take a second here at the start of this note to talk about the Prague trip in light of the COVID-19 issue, because it really has been a surreal week since we’ve returned from break.  Carolyn is in close contact with the Prague half marathon organizers, and everything is still on for the moment.  We will let you know immediately if we hear of any changes.  Meanwhile, do take care of yourselves and your families, follow the health guidance issued by NHS and the government, stay well, and keep running!  Your WRW team is hoping for the best with Prague, but also working on contingency plans.  Please do fill out the Meal Choices google survey by Monday, March 2; and the Photo Directory survey by Wednesday, March 4.  And let us know if you are planning to go to Prague and did not receive an email about these items!

If you have any questions/concerns, please talk to your coaches.  As we all know, this situation is rapidly evolving and we will do the best we can with the information we have.

All-WRW Coffee
On Wednesday 11 March there is going to be a WRW coffee that you all (even if you’re not coming to the race) are invited to.  We did this for the first time last year.  It’s the first time the beginners have a chance to mingle a bit with the other runners.  We will talk a little about the race but it’s meant to be a social gathering with a little race stuff thrown in.  We are working on a location but the time will likely be around 9:30 am.  So if you can make it, please mark your calendar.

Race Video
Megan Marine is in charge of the video that will be shown at the celebration dinner (a tradition).  She needs to get a video of you guys with your arms on each others’ shoulders swaying back and forth that will become part of the video.  Since we are starting off at different times now on Thursdays, I am wondering if most of you will be around on Tuesday and maybe I could come get a video of you before you start out?  Please let me know…

This Week
This week and for Kew, we will plan to take our gels while running.  We need to practice – we do not plan to stop to take the gels during the race.  Sometimes the gel packaging can be tricky – so just resort to pulling the tab off with your teeth if you have to.  This is why we practice 🙂  We will take the gels about 70-80 min into the run.

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

I have extra gels and will bring some with me this week for anyone who wants to try something new.

The route – Canada Water – 10 miles
To view the route in detail, click here to for a zoomable map of the route on our MapMyRun site: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2407126285.

This route takes us along the Thames Path past Borough Market and Tower Bridge to Canada Water tube station (Jubilee line) in Rotherhithe. Head to Hyde Park in the usual manner. At the park, cross North Carriage Road, turn right at the silver sphere, and left just after the Italian Gardens, keeping the Serpentine to your left. Turn right at the end of the Serpentine to run along the southern edge of the park to Hyde Park Corner. Proceed towards Borough Market – past Buckingham Palace and Big Ben, across Westminster Bridge, and left along the Thames Path to the Golden Hinde. Follow the walkway to the right of the Golden Hinde and at the junction with Southwark Cathedral, turn sharply left and follow Montague Close, passing through the tunnel. You are now on Tooley Street. Shortly, you will see the “Number 1” bar on the right and a London map sign on the sidewalk – turn left here (photo below)

Turn right at the end of the passage – you are back on the river. Run under Tower Bridge, turn left down the tiny alley called “Maggie Blake’s Cause” (photo below), then right at the river. If you look behind you, you will see Tower Bridge – we don’t usually get this view!

Turn right off the river at Maguire Street (between the Ask Italian restuarant and the Blue Print Cafe). Turn left on Shad Thames and follow Shad Thames until it ends, then turn left on Jamaica Road. After a short stretch on this busy road take a left into George Row (directly opposite the Tesco Metro on the other side of Jamaica Road. The road sign for George Row is hard to see, so keep your eye out for the Tesco.) Follow George Row for a few blocks, heading back towards the river, then turn right onto Chambers Street. After the Thames Water building site on the left take the next left onto Loftie Street, then right at Bermondsey Wall East. Continue along Bermondsey Wall East – you’ll see glimpses of the river to your left. If in doubt, the black Thames Path/Rotherhithe Village signs point the general direction. Go straight through a narrow passage (see photo below) to reach the historic heart of Rotherhithe where the road turns into Rotherhithe Street.

You will soon see a small burial ground on your right, where Christopher Jones, the captain of the Mayflower, is buried. Then on the left you’ll pass The Mayflower pub, named in honor of his ship. Continue along Rotherhithe Street until you come to a red metal bridge — turn right immediately before the bridge and go down the path alongside a canal, keeping the water to your left. (photo below)

At Salter St, cross the road and follow the path with the water on your left, and continue alongside the water/canal until you reach a large open area with Canada Water station (Jubilee Line) to your right and the Canada Water library in front of you. This is the end of the route, you made it!

There is a coffee shop on the left called Mouse Tail Coffee Stories where you can find some refreshments. And, if you want to shop for athletic gear, check out Decathlon just beyond the coffee shop!