Saturday's (12/14/13) Run Description

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

Saturday’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.

Beginner level runners will continue running up Sunset Boulevard until you reach the intersection of Sunset & Ulloa. The cross streets are 'roughly' alphabetical so pay close attention to the cross streets as you are running. Beginner runners will turn around at this intersection and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 6 MILES!

Everyone else will continue running up Sunset past this intersection. Roughly half a mile later you will arrive at the intersection of Sunset & Quintara. Intermediate level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 7 MILES!

Advanced/Race level runners will continue running up Sunset to the intersection of Sunset & Moraga. Advanced level runners will turn around here and head back to the Lake Merced parking lot for 8 MILES! Make sure to pick up 7 minutes of tempo on the return route.

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!

For your 6 miles at target half marathon pace, I would suggest seguing into target pace 2 miles into your run just as you reach the South Side of Lake Merced and start heading north around the other side of the Lake. Maintain this pace all the way to Sunset/Kirkham (when you encounter this intersection on the 'return' from MLK & Chain of Lakes Drive).