Run 6 – Route 109 Tram. 18/05/2019
Another tram line run, this time the 109 tram from Box Hill to Port Melbourne. Touted by Wikipedia as 13.9km long – it’s not. Actually distance more like 19.8km which is ideal for a half marathon. Only problem is the first section near Box Hill is like a roller – coaster. A slow moving roller coaster, going up and down rolling hills which is not an ideal half marathon course.
But despite the terrain it was a new fast time of 1:47:57, back on trend towards the one hour mark. But it’s not the only race today – it’s Federal election day so ran past a few polling booths.
Following the tram tracks was easier than following Google maps – until I hit a tram intersection. At Kew junction the 48 tram and the 109 tram cross for short time before going their own way. A fast half marathon time is impacted if there is a need to stop and check the track settings to see which tram is going which way. I should have checked before I started.
Analysing the data shows a curious path down Collins St. The GPS based tracking looks like a drunk person meandering through the city after a big night out – hardly the straight line that I actually ran. Looks like the GPS satellites had trouble picking me up amongst the cities buildings. And to my advantage, appears like I was credited with some distance that I didn’t actually run, luckily I ran an extra 1.5km after I finished the 21.1km.
My new record probably needs an asterisk next to it – just like Ben Johnston’s in 1980. I’ll wait and see if the IOC challenges it.
My three learnings
Garmin GPS tracking may not be accurate in CBD
Rolling hills problematic, but the downhill bits good.
Tram line intersections not intuitive to runners.