Hi everyone,
Is it possible that we’ve reached December?! Monday we run to Battersea Park which is a route with many distance options. If you’re looking for a shorter run, you can take the tube from Sloane Square for about 4 miles. If you want a long run, the full loop is about 10 miles. A good midway option is to run to Battersea Park and then loop back to Sloane Square for about 6.5 miles. Wednesday is Notting Hill and Friday we’re back up the Hill. The sidewalk on Ftizjohns Avenue is currently under construction. As of last Monday, it was still open, but very narrow in parts. I think we should try running on the other side of the street. I would suggest that after Swiss Cottage we cross at the zebra crossing just past Belsize Lane. At the top we could cross back at the light near Tesco. Let’s try it and see if it’s an improvement.
Save the Date – Runs Next Week
On Monday 7 December we’ll run to Wembley. There are options for a 7, 8 or 9-mile route. This is a great destination run and a good opportunity to tackle a new distance. On Wednesday 9 December we’ll do our second annual Christmas Lights run. We’ll meet early, at 6am, so we can see the lights in the dark and without the crowds. If you’re not up for an early start, there will be a group that also meets at the regular time.
WRW Hat Order Due Wednesday 2 December
We have had several requests for a WRW running hat similar to the black hat for the race in Germany a couple of years ago – a good, neutral, everyday running hat. We are now pleased to offer a WRW hat as additional WRW kit (thank you, Chris!). The hat will be a Nike Dri-Fit featherlight hat in a graphite gray color. The expectation is the WRW logo will be on the front of the hat similar to how it is on the yellow hats from last year’s race (we have not yet received final confirmation from the stitching place, however). In place of the year, it will say London and the flag color will be the regular Union Jack red/white/blue. The price will be between £25 and £30 depending on the number we order. Please note that this is NOT the race hat for Nice. If you are interested in ordering a hat, please email [email protected] with the subject “WRW Kit – Running Hat” by Wednesday, 2 December. The hats should arrive early in the new year.
Reminder – Race Hotel Booking Deadline Monday 30 November
Our block of rooms at the hotel in Nice, France expires on 30 November. Please book your room now if you are considering attending the half-marathon race. All the details are on our website at https://womenrunningtheworld.commm/Women_Running_the_World/Spring_Half-Marathon.html
Windsor Half Marathon
Registration is now open for the Windsor Half Marathon on 25 September 2016. This is a great autumn London race. The course is supposedly a bit hilly, but also beautiful. Our runners who have done this race in prior years give it good reviews. http://www.runwindsor.com
For those who celebrate, I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I am thankful for all of you!
Keep running,
Jane
ROUTES
Monday 30 November – Battersea Loop 7.5-10.3 miles
Today we do an up and back and you can pick your turnaround point to meet the distance in your training schedule.
We head out to Hyde Park, along the eastern edge of the park, and down Sloane Street to Sloane Square the usual way. We continue through Sloane Square, down Chelsea Bridge Road, and over the Chelsea Bridge to the south bank of the Thames. We will then turn right into Battersea Park and run along the south side of the Thames to the Albert Bridge, where we cross back over the Thames and then turn right again and run along the north side of the river back to Chelsea Bridge Road, where we will turn left and run back up through Sloane Square to Knightsbridge, turning right then left to retrace our way back into Hyde Park by the French Embassy. Run to the paved path, turning right towards Hyde Park Corner, then left long the eastern edge of the park to the exit at Upper Brook Street [by the Animal war memorial] and back to Starbucks the usual way.
Wednesday 2 December – Notting Hill 4-6+miles
Keep your eyes open as this is often a celebrity spotting route!
Start out by heading west on Circus Road, turn left on Grove End to St John’s Wood Road and go west, working your way to the canal entrance on Blomfield. Enter the canal and run to the Ladbroke Grove exit then run down Ladbroke Grove to Elgin Crescent and make a left. Continue to Ledbury and go right and then left at Westbourne Grove. Run down Westbourne Grove over Bishop’s Bridge and down the steps into Sheldon Square [across from Paddington Station]. Go back along the canal and out where you entered, then run back to Starbucks.
You also have the option of a shorter run by not getting off the canal. Run half the distance you want, turn around and head home. As a rule of thumb, the two mile mark is the Westway overpass.
Friday 4 December – The Heath 4-8 miles
It’s Friday so it’s back up the hill. Not always easy but oh so worth it!
4 miles: A great way to ease into running the hill. Run up to the Hampstead tube station and back. If you have trouble running up, think about how easy it will be running down!
5 miles: The Betsy Route
6-7miles: The partial Heath route
7.5 miles: The Highgate route
8 miles: The full Heath route
Click here for maps of all of the Heath routes.