Run 82. Tram route 82. 3/3/2020.
Running tram route 82 as my 82nd run was sheer brilliance. Not only is it a clever coincidence of numbers but also resulted in a new record time of 1:41:46. I should have known it was going to be a good day when I got the perfect train change at Southern cross station. Turns out the train I got off is the one I needed to be on. Changing trains at southern cross in 4 seconds was another record.
Left Footscray station to the sounds of two buskers, not good at all. If that’s their only income they are going to be hungry. Or maybe it was just two mates that had lost abet the night before?
No problems following the tram tracks to Moonee Ponds, in fact I had been on part of this route recently. Once I was at the end of the 82 route, which was only about 9km long, I had the advantage of running downhill and through the city. A double advantage and that no doubt contributed to my smart time.
But given the finish of my half marathon distance left me well short of getting back to Elwood, I headed toward the Sandringham train line and by detouring just a little I was able to finish the run just near South Yarra station. Trains, stations, very average buskers and nice weather clearly contribute to fast times.
My Three Learnings
A three and a half hour drive is not a good recovery activity.
The fastest train change is when you don’t have to actually change trains.
Finishing at a random train station results in a record time.