The Weekly Pep Talk - Monday, March 3 - 9, 2008

A Running Commentary About Women, Sponsored by Ask About Running
This week is dedicated to Joan Benoit (Great Athlete)
Monday, March 3 - 9, 2008
Volume 2, Issue #15, Week 10 in 2008
Send comments to: Stephanie@AskAboutRunning.com

Dear Women:

Wow! What a great day we had last Sunday. The view, as we ran/walked along Point Isabel was stunning… blue sky, shimmering water, San Francisco skyline. It was one of those days when you are so glad to be alive. And the conversation was lively! I had a lot of fun. My running/walking buddies, thanks for the company!

Run Across the Golden Gate Bridge this Sunday
This Sunday, the San Francisco route will take us across the Golden Gate Bridge, if the weather is good. If the weather does not cooperate we will run in the Presidio, both starting from the same place. Running across the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day is a real pleasure. The views are incredible! The one drawback is that you have to dodge tourists. They’re EVERYWHERE!! Details on parking will be available a little later this week. I want to confirm them by driving it myself. Meet at 1:00 for our run across the bridge at the lower parking area, the dirt parking section with free parking and no tourist buses. Full details to come…

Unfortunately the turnout for our San Francisco group has been minimal and I’m concerned that we won’t have the numbers to keep it going successfully. If you participants have any suggestions, let me know. Your input is always very welcome.

• Shall we change the day?
• Would Saturday be better?
• Shall we change the time?
• Would 9:00 be better than 1:00?
  

East Bay Runners Come to Alameda this coming weekend
Yes, we are running in Alameda at a new location. Those of you who ran the SJR Half Marathon last spring will remember the area. It is the Ferry Landing that starts the long segment of running right along the waterfront but still on the bike path! It’s really gorgeous and also very flat! We’ll get some hills in as the season evolves and we move onto trails up in the Oakland and Berkeley Hills. For now, here are directions to the ferry station:

Directions to the Ferry Landing - Alameda Ferry Landing Parking Lot at Mecartney/Shoreline
Meet at 9:00 in front of Ferry Station

From San Francisco
80/Bay Bridge towards Oakland, Exit 880 South towards San Jose and Alameda, Take 2nd exit on Broadway/Alameda, Turn right at end of exit onto 5th. Follow signs, Travel through 1 light, then bear right towards Broadway/Alameda. Stay on 5th. Follow signs. Travel through 5 lights, and then follow sign for a soft left to Alameda (less than 1 mile). Left on Central (continue to follow rte 61, Turn right on 8th (continue to follow rte 61 to Otis.

From Berkeley
980 W towards downtown Oakland, 880 South, exit toward Jackson Street, travel 1 mile, Left on Jackson Street (you are looping around to get into the tunnel), Left on 8th Street, Left on Webster, Go thru tunnel, Follow route 61/Webster Street through Alameda (less than 1 mile), Left on Central, Right on 8th to Otis.

From Berkeley and San Francisco
Follow directions to Otis, as if going to Robert Crowne Memorial Beach. Turn left on Otis instead of entering Robert Crown Memorial State Beach. Stay on Otis for approximately 2 ½ miles, crossing the Bay Farm Bridge. Take the first Right on Island. Follow Island approximately 1 mile to Mecartney. Go Right on Mecartney and follow all the way to the end. Turn Left into the ferry landing parking lot.

From San Jose880 North, Exit Davis Street, turn left on Davis at end of exit, Right on Doolittle Drive, Stay on Doolittle to Otis. Go left on Island. Follow Island approximately 1 mile to Mecartney. Go Right