Hello Runners,
Happy Bank Holiday weekend!  I hope you are enjoying the extra time relaxing, playing, traveling, adventuring– or doing whatever makes you happy (did someone say ‘running’?)I spent a bit of yesterday combing through photos posted on WRW Facebook group page and adding a few to our WRW archives.  The ones above show some of the best aspects of this group– how we support each other, cheer for each other, and know how to have fun!  Hats and pom-poms, bright and witty signs, and screaming… you ladies are absolutely THE best!  There were so many Milan pink hats out cheering on that marathon course last Sunday, it literally lifted us through the race– so from myself and Sue once more, a really heartfelt thank you to all who came out to cheer, as well as to the many more who sent notes and thoughts before and after the race.  

Running this Week.  Monday is a bank holiday, so holiday meet-up time at Barclays is 8:30 for anyone in town and wanting to run.  We officially start the week with a run to Covent Garden on Wednesday.  The 5.5-mile route loops through Hyde Park, past Green Park, then straight down the Mall to Trafalgar Square before cutting through to Covent Garden for a finish at Le Pain Quotidien. See below for full directions.  And Friday we will go up to the Heath, where things are sure to be in bloom– the Highgate route is suggested, partly for the flowers at Kenwood House, but all our Heath routes should be nice this week.  And note that if you were following the ‘Save the Date’ section closely– we’ve moved the Dollis Hill adventure run from this Friday to later in the month, just to spread the fun across the calendar.

I hate to mention it, because no one really wants to think about it… but the Sights of London and Leaver’s Coffee is coming up in a couple of weeks (May 22).  We already have enough goodbyes to say, but it seems like there are always a few that come up right at the end of the year.  If you suddenly discover you are leaving London– even if it’s the day before the coffee– please do let us know, so we can celebrate and give you a proper send-off.

SAVE THE DATE
Monday 13 May – NEW Adventure Run – Windsor – expect earliest home time is noon
Wednesday 22 May – Sights of London/Leaver’s Coffee
Friday 31 May – NEW Adventure Run – Dollis Hill to Hampstead
Monday 3 June – Brick Lane

Enjoy this bright day in London, or wherever you are this weekend!  See you soon at Barclays…
xx Micki

ROUTES
Monday 6 May – BANK HOLIDAY
For anyone in town, meet at Barclays at 8:30 and plan a fun route on your own.

Wednesday, 8 May – Hyde Park to Covent Garden (5.5 miles)
We start from Barclays, run down Circus Road and turn left on Grove End/Lisson Grove. Cross diagonally at the light to run along the west side of the street. Cross over Marylebone Rd (now you’re on Seymour Pl) and run until the road ends. Turn right on Seymour St, cross Edgware Rd, and turn left at the next street (Stanhope Pl). Cross into Hyde Park, cross over the Carriage Rd and enter the park.

Turn right at the silver sphere after entering the park. Cross over N Carriage Rd and turn left just after the Italian Gardens. Run along the water (it turns into the Serpentine) and turn right at the end to run along the southern edge of the park. Turn right to run out of the park at Hyde Park Corner and follow the direction below.

At Hyde Park Corner, run through Wellington Arch and along the southern edge of Green Park.  At the end of the park, keep running straight down The Mall (do not cross the street as we do when we are going to Big Ben) until you come to Trafalgar Square.  Run along the far side of the square, past St Martin-in-the-Fields.  Turn right onto St. Martin’s Place and then left onto Chandos Place.  When it ends, turn left and enter Covent Garden.  We will meet at Le Pain Quotidien which is next to Shake Shack.

Friday 10 May – The Heath
If it’s a beautiful day, why not try the 8 mile Heath run?  The flowers should be blooming at Kenwood House – take advantage of spring in London!   And if it’s raining, just run from Barclays to Starbucks.  Just kidding! 🙂

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+ miles:  The partial Heath route OR the Reverse Heath route OR Pergola route
7.5 miles: The Highgate route
8 miles:  The full Heath route

Click here for maps of all of the Heath routes.