Hello everyone,
Before we start talking about routes, could I mention a few things?
- As a group we probably aren’t doing a great job of stretching after we run. Some of us touch a toe or two or stand on one leg doing a quad stretch while we’re in line for coffee at Starbucks, but it’s much less than what we should be doing. So…. we’ve had a brilliant suggestion that we finish our run somewhere short of Starbucks (if we’re doing a loop run) so we don’t have to bend over in front of people trying desperately to drink their coffee in peace at the counter seat in Starbucks. The suggestion is that if we are returning to SJW from the south we could stop at the church park at the bottom of the high street. There are grassy spots and nice paved areas and plenty of room to spread out without disturbing anyone. If we’re coming back from the heath, we could stop at the intersection of Acacia and Kingsmill Terrace (small grassy area). You may have some other suggestions – so just group up wherever you prefer, but please encourage everyone to stretch somewhere. I’m hopeful that if we do this for a few weeks, it will become a habit – one that keeps injuries at bay.
- Several of you have mentioned that you would like to do some local races of varying distances. Almost every weekend there is a race somewhere in or around London. Please do it (I know some of you already do)! There are event listings in Runners World magazine and flyers at all running and biking shops in town. I had hoped to organize one or two races for us in the fall, but I’ve gotten a bit lazy about it. Personally, I have zero interest in running 5k/10k races which may have something to do with why I haven’t managed to get something together. So please don’t let my preferences influence you! If you know of a race that you would like to do, I’m more than happy to “advertise” it in this weekly running email for you.
- Our favorite running shop closed last month, but we have managed to secure our 10% discount at Runners Need in Camden. They prefer we have membership cards to present (it’s not absolutely necessary) so I have ordered another lot of those cards we had last year for the Lago Maggiore race. When I get them (hopefully at the end of this week), I’ll pass them around so everyone has one. Also, at the Holborn location of Runners Need they are beginning a new, free physiotherapy service every other Monday beginning 12 September from 12-2. There is a bit more information on their website if you are interested.
Routes for the week:
Monday – I told some of you we would be doing Kew, but I’m thinking now the Battersea Loop may be a better idea with the weather forecast. The storm/hurricane coming in on Sunday night is expected to hit the northern regions of the UK, but they are forecasting rain and strong winds in the south. I don’t know…. some of you may consider it less than fun to run to Kew in the rain and sit on a train soaking wet back into the city. So, let’s try the Battersea Loop. The full route is 10 miles, but you have the option of running to Sloane Square and back (7.5 miles) or Green Park tube and back (5ish miles) or most of the route over the river and back up Sloane St. but grabbing a bus or tube around Park Lane (Green Park or Marble Arch) which would be 8-8.5 miles. Don’t forget to stop at the St. John’s Wood Church Gardens on your way back to stretch!Wednesday – The mid-level group will do an interesting route along the canal east to the wall then down by Farringdon tube station (4.5 miles) to the river passing Embankment station (5.8 miles), then Westminster tube (6.3 miles), then Green Park (7.5 miles). As noted, there are many distance options so bring your Oyster card. This is a nice route through a different part of town and I find it very satisfying as you feel as though you’ve been everywhere when you finish (no matter where that is along the route).Friday – Up to the Heath.
Lastly, it looks like the Lisbon Half-Marathon on Sunday, 25 March, will be our group race in the spring. It falls on the same weekend as the ASL International Festival and I apologize for that. Believe me, I’ve searched for other options but nothing else works. Please know I tried to avoid all conflicts – it’s just impossible. I’ll send out further information about hotels/flights/race info within the next few weeks.
I hope to see you out running this week,
Paula