Hurstbridge Line. (Part 3) Watsonia to Hurstbridge.
WATSONIA. 1/10/2018. 179th Run. 25.9 km.
Got an early start to my long mid week run. But this mid week run was actually a Monday due to making my weekend run a Grand Final Friday run to see the Grand Final Parade. Lets not talk about football again. Slightly confusing exit from the station onto Greensborough Rd but I am used to bad starts. First 5 km were like a roller coaster through Rosanna and Heidelberg and finally into Ivanhoe. Finally back onto Punt Rd and headed south past Collingwood Town Hall. Ok - so we lost the grand final and the town hall, like me, looked depressed. Once past the town hall I put the football behind me. That is until I ran past the MCG. We were one bad umpiring decision off winning the Premiership. That’s it - not mentioning it again. Beautiful night and easy run home once I got over Punt Rd hill. Can feel summer is coming.
GREENSBOROUGH. 3/2/2018. 119th Run. 27.5 km.
My first experience out this way and didn’t realize just how hilly it is around Greensborough. Felt like one big roller coaster for the first 15 km and by then I was starting to feel it in my legs. Awkward section on a major Rd that didn’t have a footpath and very little shoulder, try not to come this way again. getting that close to cars isn’t good for those drivers either. Crossed over the Eastern Fwy and past a police car with radar gun. Let me past without comment so must have been below 60 km/hr. Started to struggle a bit towards the end as those hills came back to haunt me and the temperature got into the mid twenties. Got the impression that drinks alone may not be enough on the really long runs to come - time to practice eating whilst running.
MONTMORENCY. 7/11/2018. 189th Run. 28.4 km.
The wettest of runs in a long time. Lots of storm activity around as I left work and made my way to catch the 109 tram. Ran past my wife who was on her bike - small world. Got to Montmorency around 5:50 pm and I got hopeful of a dry window for most of my run. That luck lasted just on 5 minutes before the rain started. By 2 km I was plenty wet whilst running along side the Plenty River - ironic. Really nice run though as I followed the river and onto Lower Plenty Rd which I now knew was a roller coaster of hills. At least I felt like I was in familiar surroundings and unlikely to get lost. Started raining again as I got drink in Clifton Hills and impressive thunder and lightning as I ran along Punt Rd. Got very heavy as I got towards the end with lots of water around in Barkley St - but by then it just didn’t matter anymore. Looked forward to a shower more than normal tonight.
ELTHAM. 20/12/2018. 198th Run. 30.2 km.
One of the longest after work runs that started with a short run to catch the 109 tram to Southern Cross. From there a packed train out to Eltham. No doubt a beautiful part of Melbourne to run in. This is despite all the hills and track running that does make directions a little more difficult. Nearly 200 runs into the challenge but the first time running out in this area. From Eltham to Templestowe and staying close to the Yarra river during the first 8 kilometers. Crossed over the Eastern Fwy and headed into Kew at exactly 7:45 pm. I knew what time it was as an older lady stopped me to ask what time it was. I thought she was in trouble but she was just wondering where her bus was. Planned to stop for drink around half way but took until I got to Hawthorn to find an open shop. Back across the Yarra river near Burnley and onto William Rd and down Hotham St. Nice night for a run but felt like head wind most of the way. Home just before 9 pm and effectively a 4 hour commute to get home from work.
DIAMOND CREEK. 23/6/2018. 155th Run. 34.1 km.
New longest run and only 20 more stations left that are longer than this one. Not sure that cheered me up much. Also the longest travel time to get to the start. Difficult run start as first 5 km that Google maps chose had not paths and involved a fair amount of cross country to avoid the cars. Had to stop and check the directions a few times as no confidence I was going the best way. Got onto Greensborough Bypass, but again not really runner friendly, then finally got to Watsonia station. At least now I felt like I was in an area that catered for pedestrians. Took a drink and refuel stop in Kew before steady run back to Elwood via Williams Rd and Hotham St. The early hills take a toll that kicks in at the end but glad to have one of the longer, hillier runs finished.
WATTLE GLEN. 17/11/2018. 192nd Run. 37.1 km.
This area is quickly becoming my least favorite areas to start a long run - but it is beautiful. Long commute meant early rest room break detour but after that only 3 km run to Diamond Creek station that I had already run. But I had a bad start to that run so decided to take a alternative route into Greensborough. No avoiding the hills but at least there were paths to run on most of the way. Met up with a triathlete who was doing a 2 hour run to Eltham so had some company for a few kilometres. Still had to do a bit of cross country coming into Greensborough but much better option. Enjoyed running into Heidelberg as knew the main hills were behind me. Headed down Punt Rd and stop for an icy pole on a warm day, best $1 I could spend as get fluid, sugar and cooling all in one. Home around 12:30 pm and before the real heat of the day.
HURSTBRIDGE. 15/12/2018. 197th Run. 40.3 km.
What a shocker. Worse run to date and hard to see any run going as badly. Started with lots of rain the day before which meant puddles and high humidity. Only mid 20’s but felt like Queensland. Hilly as always out this way and tried another variation to the route but still had challenges. Nearly tripped over a dead kangaroo on the side of the road at one stage - road kill was a new challenge. Still areas with no paths and got very wet feet early. By the time I got to Simpson barracks I was over it but still had 22 km to go. Now my drinks were warm so decided not to drink. Found a shop and bought a coke for the caffeine. Shook it to get rid of bubbles but it too went warm. Finally found another shop and got an icy pole - would have paid $50 for that luxury. Hard last 5 km and constant sweat in eyes just added to the delightful experience. I’m sure Hurstbridge is lovely, but it will always stick in my mind as the run I could have done without.