Lilydale Line (Part 3). Heatherdale to Lilydale.
HEATHERDALE. 4/1/2018. 113th Run. 28.6 km.
First run of the new year was a long after work run. Ran to the tram stop (600m but it all counts) to catch 109 tram and then train to Heatherdale. Advantage of peak hour is lots more trains and some express, so got to station in only 40 mins from Southern Cross. Nice run, hot at start but at least cooling down as it gets later. Avoided making a navigational error at the start and saved it until the 5 km mark when I took a wrong turn at Canterbury Rd. Quickly sensed the wrong way and only cost me about 700m. Carrying cash instead of water meant I could buy a cold drink when I needed it and not have to consume warm water - much better. Lots of trail running in this area of Melbourne and on these evening runs tend to run past restaurants serving beer rather than cafes serving coffee. Long run got me home by 9 pm but better than running on weekend as tipped to get to 41 degrees.
RINGWOOD. 31/10/2018. 187th Run. 29.2 km.
Another long mid week run but with an early start I was able to get to Ringwood by 5:45 pm. Not too hot to start and the bonus was it would only get cooler. Tonight was Halloween and that meant a number of kids and parents out Trick or treating. Remember running on this night when living in the US and the Australian version is a bit smaller. Uncomfortable moment on Whitehorse Rd as I ran towards a man standing by himself and dressed as the clown from IT. It was just on dark and it was a creepy feeling. But I survived. Nice run along Gardiner’s Creek that I knew pretty well by now and past Box Hill golf course. Only needed one stop for a drink. Nearly tripped over a smashed pumpkin in Foam St close to home due to tired legs, it’s definitely Halloween.
RINGWOOD EAST. 5/12/2018. 195th Run. 30.7 km.
One of the longer and also one of the last of the mid week runs. And yet another run where the destination changed during transit. Left work on the 109 tram with the intent of heading to Eltham but once I got to Southern Cross the Eltham train was still 15 mins away so jumped on a train to Ringwood East because the train was already about to leave from platform 10. Warmish weather at 27 degrees so tough in the early stages which is where the hills were. Virtually the same run as last weekend from Mooroolbark so sort of knew the way and got easier as the temperature dropped. Decided not to stop for a drink but instead focus on getting to the Seven-Eleven near Glenhuntly Rd and treating myself to an Icy Pole. Took a call from my wife as she made her way home from swimming so she could offer some encouragement. Taping of my blisters seemed to work as less pain than last run. Got home just before 9 pm feeling thirsty, hungry and tired but glad to have another station complete. Only 15 to go.
CROYDON. 25/8/2018. 172nd Run. 33.9 km.
Late August but still cold in the mornings which make the trips to the outer suburbs feel a bit longer. Quick change at Richmond so not too much time sitting outside. Seems like the start of these runs are the biggest challenge. First needed to detour slightly for a rest room break and no sooner had I recommenced than I felt a whack to the back of my head. Couldn’t believe someone had thrown something at me. I looked around but couldn’t see anyone. Then out of the corner of my eye I saw a magpie. I have been swooped many time living in the country but this was the first time in the city - I was totally caught off guard. I picked up a stick to defend myself and whilst watching for it nearly got hit by a slow moving car. Lucky I was on a local side road. By the time I was at the 4 km mark the magpie had given up and all was back to normal. This was 28th half marathon or longer in last 5 months so feeling it in my legs. Fortunately have a two week break on a trip to South Africa for my wife’s triathlon world championships. Maybe I’ll find a station over there to add.
MOOROOLBARK. 1/12/2018. 194th Run. 37.3 km.
First day of summer and the first really hot day of the year. Got early start with ride to Elsternwick only to find trains not running again. Tried for an Uber but 10 min wait so saw a taxi nearby and grabbed it. Lucky I carried cash. Made the 7 am train to Mooroolbark and at the station just after 8 am. Already over 22 degrees and with dodgy headphones and lots of hills (and my standard early navigational error) I didn’t enjoy the first 10 km. At least the swooping magpie had gone. Instead of a dangerous bird, I did notice that one of my socks had worn through and now I had my shoe rubbing off the skin on my achilles. Fortunately I only had 32 km to go so how much damage could I do? This was a two drink stop run and I was glad I wasn’t carrying my drinks as they would have been as warm as I was. Finally got home and certainly not my favorite run - those socks won’t get to see another.
LILYDALE. 19/1/2019. 203rd Run. 41.7 km.
Long long day. Logistics of getting to the starting point even interesting than normal. Transited through Richmond and Ringwood to get onto train to Lilydale. But signal fault at Mooroolbark meant a 20 min delay. Decided to order a Uber to travel the last 5 km but whilst sitting on the train waiting for my Uber to arrive the doors closed and we were off again. Too late to cancel Uber so got a $10 fee. Fair cop. Felt good for the first 400 m but then hit one of the biggest hills of the entire challenge and with 41 km left on this run, could have done without it. Got over the hill and came across a car accident scene with lots of police. Cars had already been removed but significant investigation underway - must have been quite bad. Things settled down after that and reasonable run but a bit hot and dry for the back half of the run. Stopped for a drink at a 7-11 near Holmsglen but the shop was empty and attendant missing. Waited probably 5 mins (needed that drink) until he finally turned up - must have been smoko? Slow last 5 km as two 40+ kilometre runs in last 7 days was probably pushing it a bit. Only 6 more long runs left and hopefully no big hills.