Run 66. Anglesea to Torquay. 7/1/2020.
Having had to modify my running schedule over the Christmas break to avoid the heat and the smoke haze, from the bushfires, I now was facing the same issue down on the coast. Took the opportunity of a clear day to get a ride to Anglesea and enjoy the Great Ocean Road back to Torquay.
Beautiful run but the climb out of Anglesea is about 3 kilometers and puts the heart rate into the high zone very quickly. This meant a slow start and the chance of a quick time was pretty much gone. But once over the last hill it flattened out and with a reasonably wide shoulder on this part of the Great Ocean Rd even the buses were no real threat. And there were a lot of them heading towards Lorne.
Tempted to take a quick break at the Chocolaterie but with no money I would have only been able to look – and looking without eating chocolate didn’t sound like fun.
Got more downhill than up as I headed back into Torquay and after that it started to feel more familiar and once back on the Torquay foreshore there started to be a few drinking fountains.
One of the more scenic runs but I have learnt that scenic runs with hills does not result in fast times. 1:52:09 was respectful given the hilly start.
My Three Learnings
Running uphill for the first 3 km is a bad way to start.
Having a downhill section towards the end is a good way to finish.
Flat roads with wide shoulders is best (despite the buses).