Sunday Long Run (3/3/13)

We have yet another change of scenery on Saturday with a visit to Lake Merced.

Sunday’s Lake Merced Run!

Once again, 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.

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. 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. Continue running up Sunset Boulevard until you reach the intersection of Sunset & Moraga. Beginner level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 8 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running up Sunset to the intersection of Sunset & Irving. Intermediate level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 9 MILES!

Advanced/Race level runners will continue running on Sunset towards Golden Gate Park. Eventually Sunset runs underneath an overpass (this is Lincoln you are running underneath) and right into Martin Luther King. Take a LEFT on Martin Luther King and run to the intersection of Martin Luther King & Chain of Lakes Drive East Turn around here and head back to Lake Merced for 10 MILES!

Race level runners will turn RIGHT on Chain or Lakes Drive East. Continue on Chain of Lakes Drive East for roughly 1/4 of a mile until you reach the intersection of Chain of Lakes Drive East/JFK. Turn RIGHT on to JFK and continue for roughly 1/2 a mile until you see Lake Spreckles on your LEFT. 

Head across the street and do a full loop around Lake Spreckles (roughly 1/2 a mile) and head WEST on JFK towards Chain of Lakes Drive East. Turn LEFT on Chain of Lakes Drive East. Run back towards MLK. Turn LEFT on JFK and head towards Sunset Boulevard. Turn RIGHT onto Sunset and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 12 MILES!