Thursday, September 29, 2011

Determination Half Marathon Long Run Description (4/22/12)

We are meeting on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced. Specifically, we are meeting at the HUGE parking lot on the NORTH SIDE of Lake Merced. Again, here's a map link that should help you get oriented-

North Side of Lake Merced

Here is a link to the course map-

Sunday’s Lake Merced Run

This run is pretty straightforward. EVERYONE will do a full loop around the circumference of Lake Merced in a clockwise direction. There is a path that runs all the way around Lake Merced, so this should be manageable for everybody.

Roughly halfway through the loop around Lake Merced (2-2.5 miles), there is a port-a-potty and a couple water fountains if you need to make a pit stop.

After 2-2.5 miles, there is a decent stretch where you will be running slightly uphill, so pace yourself accordingly.

After completing a full loop of Lake Merced, you will have logged 4.5 MILES (roughly). Once you've finished a full loop around Lake Merced, head NORTH on Sunset Boulevard There is a path that runs parallel to Sunset Boulevard on the LEFT. This is where you want to run.

The cross streets are 'roughly' alphabetical so pay close attention to the cross streets as you are running. Everyone will run along Sunset heading North towards Golden Gate Park.

Everyone will continue running up Sunset Boulevard to the intersection of Sunset & Santiago. Turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 6.5 MILES!

Friday, September 23, 2011

Saturday Long Run REDUX (9/23)

Here is a link to the course map for Saturday:

Saturday's Course Map

Here's a verbal description as well:

Everyone will head NORTH along the Marina towards the Warming Hut. Roughly half a mile into our run (near Baker Street) we will make a RIGHT TURN and cross through the volleyball court area into the Yacht Club parking lot and TURN LEFT onto the Marina Promenade. This is a gravel/dirt path that heads towards the Warming Hut.

Upon reaching the Warming Hut(roughly 2 miles), you will run past the Warming Hut and take an IMMEDIATE left to head towards LONG AVENUE. Long Avenue is effectively a short hill that heads up towards Lincoln.

Everyone will head up Long Avenue along the shoulder until you reach a stop sign. This is LINCOLN. Take a right on to the paved cyclist/pedestrian path and follow this path to your right. Stick to this path as it heads towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Make sure that you are on this path and NOT on Lincoln. You do not want to be running on Lincoln for this course.

You will follow the path for roughly 1/2-3/4 of a mile. There will be a few points at which the path may fork, but stick to the MAIN path. You will soon see the
Golden Gate Bridge approaching.

You will reach a point where you can continue running and run underneath the bridge or take a hairpin LEFT and wind your way up to the pedestrian side of the bridge. You want to do the LATTER and turn left and head onto the pedestrian side of the bridge.

Run about 200 meters further until you reach a large stone structure also known as an 'anchorage'. Look for a 'MM 3' in chalk in the middle of the sidewalk adjacent to this structure. You will turn around here and head back to the monkey bars. Upon reaching the monkey bars you will have logged 6 MILES.

We will head SOUTH along the Marina towards Fort Mason Hill. Beginners will Crest Fort Mason hill and head back to the monkey bars for a total of 7 MILES!

Everyone else will head down Fort Mason Hill and head into Aquatic Park. Run to the end of Aquatic Park/edge of Fisherman's Wharf. Intermediate runners will turn around at the cul-de-sac at the end of Aquatic Park and head back to the monkey bars for 8 MILES.

Advanced and Race level runners will continue into Fisherman's Wharf. You will be on Jefferson at this point.

Please keep a watchful eye for tourists, cyclists, and other traffic in Fisherman's Wharf. Continue running to the intersection of Jefferson/Powell. There is a large 'wildlife' art gallery on the right. Advanced level runners turn around here! Head back to the monkey bars for 9 MILES!

Race level runners will running along Jefferson which will eventually turn into the Embarcadero. At the intersection of Embarcadero & Bay there is a Hillstone restaurant on the right. Continue past Embarcadero & Bay. 1/2 a mile later you will encounter the intersection of Embarcadero/Green. Race level runners turn around here. Head back to the monkey bars for 11 MILES!

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Saturday (8/17/13) Long Run Route Description

We'll be launching from the Beach Chalet parking lot @ 1000 Great Highway and running through Golden Gate Park. a few things to keep in mind before I dive into the details:

1)You will be running gradually uphill for the first half of your run!
This course isn't terribly steep, but there is a GRADUAL uphill for much of the first half of the run. Keep this in mind as you may need to dial back your pacing a bit when you head out.

2)Watch your footing! There's a reasonable amount of this run that will take place on a dirt path/fire road. This means small rocks, tree roots (sometimes), and uneven ground at times. I don't want to see anyone take a tumble. Stay tuned in! This is particularly important for those of you who wear MP3 PLAYERS! Stay particularly alert on the RETURN when you will likely be a bit fatigued and traveling gradually DOWNHILL!

3)Water Stops. Roughly a mile into the run (not too far after you pass the Bison Paddocks on the left) there is water fountain on the LEFT adjacent to Lake Spreckles. Also there is a water fountain at the intersection of JFK/Transverse on the LEFT side of JFK. These descriptions will make more sense once you read my course description below.

Ok, enough of the preamble. Let's get down to it! Here's a link to the course map-

Saturday’s Golden Gate Park Run!

B-5 MILES. Beginners will head NORTH from the Beach Chalet and promptly take a right turn to get onto JFK. You will run along the dirt path for about a quarter of a mile until you come to a stop sign. Turn LEFT at this stop sign at the pedestrian crosswalk onto the dirt path running along JFK.

You will continue running along this path for some time. As you close in on the first mile you will see the 'Bison Paddock' on your left. Shortly after you pass the paddock, you will see Lake Spreckles on the left. If you need water, cross the pedestrian crosswalk over to Lake Spreckles and you will see the water fountain on your left.

Continue running on the dirt path for close to a mile and you will eventually come to a 4 way stop at the intersection of JFK/Transverse. This is roughly 2 miles. If you cross over to the LEFT side of JFK, you will find another water fountain. *NOTE-IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU STAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PATH FOR THIS RUN! IT IS OK TO CROSS OVER TO THE LEFT FOR H20, BUT GET BACK OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE TO CONTINUE YOUR RUN!

Continue running on the RIGHT side of the dirt path past JFK/Transverse for roughly half a mile. You will see a large funky looking building approaching on the right. This is DeYoung Museum. Additionally, you should see a crosswalk cutting across JFK. Keep your eyes peeled for a ‘MM 5’ in the middle of the paved path you’re on. This is the 2.5 miles! Turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 5 MILES!!

I-6 MILES. Same course as beginners, but continue running on the RIGHT side of the dirt path past the ‘MM 5’ for roughly half a mile. You will see a stop sign and traffic joining JFK from 'Conservatory Way'. (this is just prior to the Flower Conservatory) here is a pedestrian crosswalk here. THIS IS 3 MILES! LOOK FOR A 'MM 6' IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PATH (The path is paved at this juncture). Turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 6 MILES!!
A-7 MILES. Same course as the Intermediate runners, BUT CROSS OVER TO THE LEFT SIDE OF JFK AT THE 'MM 6' MARK. Run past the Flower Observatory and follow JFK all the way to STANYAN. This is a controlled intersection with traffic lights. Once you get to JFK/Stanyan, this is 3.5 miles. Turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 7 MILES!

R-9 MILES. Race level runners will continue running along Oak Street to the end of the Panhandle. From here you will continue running along the sidewalk on Oak Street until you reach the intersection of Oak/Scott. Turn around here and head back to the Beach Chalet for 9 MILES!

Thursday, September 01, 2011

Saturday (03/03) Route Description

You will be logging between 4-8 miles depending upon your training level. Here is a link to the course map for your reference-

Saturday Long Run Course Map

We will launch from the Warming Hut and head out along the dirt path that runs along the water. The path will veer left and you will follow the path for a little over a mile until you run into a parking lot. At this point, you will take a slight right turn and cut through the 'little' Marina Green and make your way towards Marina Boulevard.

Turn LEFT onto Marina Boulevard and run along the paved path towards the Marina Green Monkey Bars. Upon reaching the Marina Green Monkey Bars you will have logged 2 miles. Beginners will turn around here and head back to the Warming Hut for 4 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running past the monkey bars and towards the Marina Safeway (on your RIGHT). Head up Fort Mason Hill. Crest Fort Mason Hill and run a bit further until you see the Youth Hostel to the right. There is a paved path that leads up to said hostel. This is 2.5 miles. Intermediate runners will turn around here and head back to the Warming Hut for 5 MILES!

Advanced and Race level runners will head down Fort Mason Hill and into Aquatic Park. Continue running along the sidewalk adjacent to Aquatic Park until the sidewalk runs directly into a circular cul-de-sac. This is 3 miles. Advanced level runners will turn around here and head back to the Warming Hut for 6 MILES!

Race level runners will continue running into Fisherman's Wharf. Please keep a watchful eye for tourists, cyclists, and other traffic in Fisherman's Wharf.

Continue running to the intersection of Jefferson/Powell. Continue running along Jefferson which will eventually turn into the Embarcadero. At the intersection of Embarcadero & Bay there is a Hillstone's restaurant on the right. This is 4 MILES. Race runners turn around here. Head back to the Warming Hut for 8 MILES!