Lilydale Line (Part 1). Hawthorn to Chatham.

HAWTHORN. 20/2/2017. 21st Run. 12.2 km.

Another less than brilliant navigational execution but no real disaster. Storms over night but I got lucky and only got one light shower on the way to Elsternwick to catch the 5:57 am train. Quick change at Richmond and at Hawthorn early. First directional problem was trying to cross the Yarra river (twice) and the freeway so not very direct. Got onto Williams Rd and should have been easy from there but saw a short cut to Elsternwick station and took it. Ended up being a long cut - serves me right.

GLENFERRIE. 9/5/2017. 48th Run. 12.8 km.

Finally back to my current normal routine with short run to Elsternwick on the 5:57 am. Cool and wet morning but at least I stayed dry to get to Elsternwick. Got onto Alamein train at Richmond but noticed the Glen Waverley train was late again. Easy run home along Glenferrie Rd (except for the up part of the hill) then High St and Ormond Rd. Light rain on and off but doesn’t really matter much once I’m warmed up. Actually thought it was nice.

AUBURN. 22/11/2017. 103rd Run. 13.6 km.

Another of the stations that I originally ran in 2016 but because I hadn’t committed to the full program, I didn’t record any detail. So of course I did it again. Caught the early train from Elsternwick and then onto the 6:15 am train to Alamein. This time following google maps I went a slightly different way including a quite steep road called Evans Ct past Kooyong station. Will need to avoid that next time I come this way. Still have a few stations that I need to rerun over the next few weeks for completeness. Starting to get warm even on the early morning runs.

CAMBERWELL. 18/6/2018. 153rd Run. 12.8 km.

Originally ran this in 2016 as I explored the idea of running different train stations. Very hot day and I struggled, didn’t record the route and didn’t take a selfie. For all these reasons I decided it had to be done again. The rerun was on a cool night after work and with lots of trains going through Camberwell in peak hour, was at the station by 5:45 pm. Stopped for a quick chat with an ex work colleague and set off home. Familiar with this area so no wrong turns and felt good so ran at a nice pace to be home relatively early for a weeknight run.

EAST CAMBERWELL. 24/5/2017. 55th Run. 17.6 km.

Another early start to catch the 5:37 am Elsterwick train with change at Richmond for the Lilydale line. One of my worst efforts at navigation by memory. Having got onto Bourke Rd without issue I missed my turn onto Wattletree Rd and then made things worse when I went the wrong way after Caulfield Park. Finally gave up and had to check directions on my phone but by then I had added at least 2 km to the run. Annoyed and late home I skipped breakfast and rushed to work. Need to invest some time in finding a navigational solution that doesn’t rely on me thinking I know the way.

CANTERBURY. 16/5/2018. 143rd Run. 15.9 km.

Another after work run and got the opportunity to get away a little early. Run to tram, tram to Southern Cross and almost missed my train whilst on the phone. Guess leaving work early not actually true. Somewhat confusing at start as always. Leaving the station not always straightforward. Spent the first 4 km in smaller streets but once I got onto Toorak Rd it was business as usual. Past Coles HQ in Tooronga and into Malvern where I was asked by a guy for directions whilst stopped at the lights at Malvern Rd. Turns out he wanted to go to Shepparton. He was in luck as I knew Shepparton well and gave him the best option out of town. Early start and nice weather made for enjoyable run after that.

CHATHAM. 31/1/2018. 118th Run. 15.9 km.

Pleasant run in 16 degree conditions versus the 30 plus heat last week in Torquay. First run in 10 days so feeling fresh. Another opportunity after work to catch a lift from my wife on her way to swimming. Had to run to get the train at Elsternwick and with only a two minute wait at Richmond it was a very efficient commute to Chatham station. Still struggling to get the exit from the station right, and this again added a bit of distance unnecessarily. Google voice directions also not that clear in tight small streets, must assume you are looking at the map. All good after getting onto the main roads and detoured to pass by the “Block” houses - all quiet, not much happening at that time of night. Home just before 8 pm but hungry.