Craigieburn Line. (Part 1). Kensington to Pascoe Vale.

KENSINGTON. 14/1/2017. Run 8. 14 km.

At this stage of the challenge a 14 km run was considered a long weekend run. Caught the train into the city on a Saturday morning with daughter Eliza. Changed at Flinders and short trip to Kensington. Left station and ran past Arden St, home of the Kangaroos in the early 80’s and where I trained for the under 19 team. They no longer exist but I am still here. Worked my way back into the city and down Spencer St. Left the CBD and headed down Ferrars St and then Canterbury Rd. By the time I got to Fitzroy St I felt like I was already close to home. Acland St on a Saturday morning had a good vibe and on a perfect weather day, nice to be out and about.

NEWMARKET. 26/1/2017. Run 10. 16.6 km.

Australia Day run. Ran to Elsternwick and caught train to Richmond. Public holiday so changed at Richmond to avoid loop to get to Flinders, but next best option was to go to Southern Cross so should have stayed on original train. Challenge might be as much about the trains as the running. Left New Market and within 800m had got to Kensington which is where I ran from only 10 days ago. Ran past Arden St oval again and this time the Kangaroos were out training. Got the bonus of watching the Roulettes fly overhead as part of the Australia Day celebrations. Or maybe they were celebrating my 10th run - we will never know. Lots of people out enjoying the weather and ran basically the same course as last time (Kensington).

ASCOT VALE. 11/11/2017. Run 100. 18.4 km.

Significant milestone reaching run number 100 in less than a year. But the average length of the first 100 runs is way less than the average of the remaining 110. Chose Ascot Vale so that I could run past Flemington racecourse on the last day of the Cup carnival. Lots of people about and great atmosphere as I made my way onto Epson Rd just near the barriers at the 1200 m mark. From there it was back towards North Melbourne and into the city on Spencer St. Chose to head towards Canterbury Rd as I knew that would have a lot of shade and with the temperature into the mid twenties, that option seemed attractive. Feels like the weather is starting to warm up heading into summer, and that will have implications for the longer runs ahead.

MOONEE PONDS. 18/2/2017. Run 20. 19.1 km.

Whilst I took some pride in this being the longest run to date, the reality is there are nearly 100 runs that are longer than this one in the challenge. I try not to think about that stat at this stage. Once again went into the city with my daughter Eliza who is still looking for a rental house with friends. Got off at Parliament caught the Craigieburn line train to Monnee Ponds. Got to Monnee Ponds junction and with 6 roads intersecting, not surprised that I picked the wrong one. Realized quickly and made small detour to get back on track. The advantage of living in Elwood is that all the runs from the north are predominately downhill and today felt like I got the benefit. Lovely day and with plenty to drink it was comfortable. Ran back to station at end to pick up car.

ESSENDON. 16/9/2017. Run 85. 17.5 km.

Eventually the weather catches up with you and today was one of those days. Standard train ride into the city and then out to Essendon. But by the time I arrived it was pouring rain. Waited about 5 mins for the rain to ease off a bit and then decided I just had to go. Using new wireless earphones but had lots of trouble as kept falling out and very distracting. Then the wind got strong and twice blew my hat off - so I decided to carry it. 5 km from home the battery ran out on the earphones so gave up on them. But at least the wind had died down so I could put my hat back on. Not the greatest of runs but at least I knew the way and I didn’t get lost. Arrived home just as the sun came out and the wind stopped. In that moment it seemed like a nice day for a run.

GLENBERVIE. 28/10/2017. Run 96. 20.8 km.

Have always loved the Cox Plate so chose today to go to Glenbervie and run past Monnee Valley race course. All going well Winx should win her third Cox plate. Pretty straight forward series of trains again to get to Glenbervie but just following my nose made getting to the racecourse a bit confusing. Finally made it and took additional selfie outside racecourse to mark the occasion. Glad to report Winx did win later in the day. Easy run down Mount Alexander Rd and into the city. Through the CBD and along St Kilda Rd on a beautiful Spring day with lots of people out and about. Got home around 11am and with the run back to the station to get the car it was virtually a half marathon distance.

STRATHMORE. 20/1/2018. Run 117. 20.4 km.

First day of a week of holidays so took the opportunity for a long run before heading to Torquay. Had time to run to the Elsternwick station and easy transition to get to Strathmore. Should have been easier to get onto Pascoe Vale Rd but as usual I made it look more difficult than it had to be. But once there a pretty easy directional run along Pascoe Vale Rd then Mount Alexander Rd and under Flemington Bridge station as I headed into the city. Some complexity entering th ecity due to Metro tunnel works at RMIT. Would hate to be a trader during the disruption around this area. Comfortable run after that, down St Kilda Rd and through the junction. Mild morning and only needed one drink stop. One week break now until back from holiday.

PASCOE VALE. 19/4/2018. Run 136. 21 km.

Messy mid week run. Caught tram as normal from work into th ecity. But it only takes one train to be cancelled during peak hour to cause a big problem. Was trying to get to North Melbourne on Upfield line, but once it was cancelled it was a mad scramble to find an alternative with everyone else. Finally got to Pascoe Vale and then awkward path to get onto Pascoe Vale Rd as City Link disrupts the flow of raods in that location. But once I got going it was all good as I had run this way a few times before. More detours due to th etunnel works but nothing I hadn’t encountered before and as the evening went on the temperature was perfect for running. Actually enjoyed running in the dark.