Cranbourne Line (Part 3). Yarraman to Cranbourne
YARRAMAN. 26/3/2017. 33rd Run. 23.5 km.
Longest run so far, and yet not even half the distance of Pakenham. Another ride to a station with my wonderful wife on her way to Lilydale for an adventure race. Got to Huntingdale station to catch the 6:49 am towards Dandenong and Yarraman. Have started running with some cash so I can by a drink rather than carry it with me as it eventually goes warm on a hot day. Got a cool drink at Hawthorn Rd and straightforward from there - or so it should have been. Not concentrating meant I missed a turn into Head St and that added about 600m to the run. I have made worse mistakes than that.
DANDENONG. 3/10/2018. 180th Run. 25.6 km.
Second mid week run this week for a few reasons. Ran Friday at end of last week and weather perfect for evening runs. And feeling pretty good which is bonus. At Dandenong just on dusk at around 6:10 pm after getting an early start from work. Didn’t muck up the exit from the station for a change so quickly onto Dandenong Rd. Long run along Dandenong Rd, under Eastlink, past Sundown race course and eventually left onto North Rd. Cut through the underpass at Huntingdale station and headed towards the beach. Took a phone call from my wife who was on way home from swimming and she detoured to bring me a drink. Just 1 km from home when she found me but still really nice thought.
LYNBROOK. 28/10/2018. 186th Run. 36.4 km.
Another Sunday run after work commitments on the Saturday. A 4 hour drive home late Saturday afternoon not an ideal preparation. Lots of buses replacing trains makes for a slow trip out of town so again opted for the Uber solution. Driver who picked me up in Elwood was from Lynbrook and lived near the station. Ideal last trip for him. Beautiful morning weather wise for a run but made a navigational error after a Macca’s pitstop and added a bit extra to the run. Made my way onto Dandenong bypass but with no footpaths in this area I got to do some cross country. Finally found the bike path and all good after that. Finally got onto South Rd and after a quick drink stop made the last stretch towards home. Out for dinner for my daughters birthday ended a big weekend.
MERINDA PARK. 2/1/2019. 200th Run. 36.7 km.
Cracked the 200 with first run of 2019. Drove back from New Years Eve in Torquay. The ongoing substitution of buses for trains continues to make the outer suburban stations hard to get to. Again I gave up trying to find an efficient way and went for the Uber option. Late in day run and I thought the 25 degrees wouldn’t be too bad but with no shade and plenty of bitumen and concrete as the running surface, the heat got to me early on. Have learnt that there are a lack of footpaths on South Gippsland Hwy so got the cross country experience again. Stopped for first drink in Dandenong and need a second at the Macca’s on corner of North Rd and Princes Hwy. Chose a frozen Coke which cooled me down but wasn’t great for my stomach 15 mins later. Last 14km mainly slightly down hill but tough run day. Did I mention summer is not great time for long runs?
CRANBOURNE. 10/11/2018. 190th Run. 39.1 km.
Second longest run to date and only 8 stations longer than this one. Caught an early Uber to Caulfield and quick driver arrival and no traffic meant I was at Caulfield with 18 minutes to spare. More me time. Got to Cranbourne just on 8 am so still nice cool morning. No need for navigational help today as I have run this area before. Quickly onto South Gippsland Hwy and into Dandenong. Have decided to avoid Dandenong bypass due to lack of paths and no distance saving anyway. From Dandenong its straight up Princes Hwy and onto North Rd. Could hear the roar of the cars as I passed Sandown Park so must be a race on today. North Rd broken up by subway at Huntingdale station and just 11 km to home. Felt longer back in September 2017 when I ran Huntingdale station. Hard run as legs definitely tired now and felt like uphill the whole way. Just 20 stations to go.