South Morang Line. (Part 2). Reservoir to South Morang.

RESERVOIR. 4/7/2018. 158th Run. 20.8 km.

Busy week. Age article online on Monday and in paper on the Tuesday. Two radio interviews and an option to be on Sunrise - but that was just too hard and unwanted at my end. Quite a few contacts suggests some interest in the challenge. Back to the running. Another mid week after work run. The straightest of all the courses is the run southwards down High St then Hoodle St and onto Punt Rd and finally Barkley St. Had a nice tail wind tonight which made it even easier. Relatively quiet run with a quick stop at Clifton Hill station for a toilet stop at Clifton Hill. Met a PSO guy who asked me where I was running to and when I said “home” he told me he had heard the ABC radio interview and asked “That’s not you is it?” Hopefully my 15 minutes of fame will be over by next run. Home by 8:10pm

RUTHVEN. 22/7/2017. 75th Run. 21.8 km.

Most of the runs from this train line are logistically simple as it’s basically a straight line. Got a ride to Elsternwick and with standard change at Parliament I was at Ruthven by 9:30am. Had a sore back most of the week so felt pretty fresh. Made another attempt to call in to visit friends but no one home. Saw they had a new oven sitting in the middle of their kitchen so sent a text to let them know it had arrived. Made sure it was an easy run as big weekend ahead with daughters 21st so didn’t want to smash myself. And running a bit slower is actually more enjoyable

KEON PARK. 28/4/2018. 139th Run. 23.2 km.

As already highlighted, normally not much variation in direction for South Morang line runs. Pleasant Saturday morning so took the chance to try and visit friends in Reservoir but again they weren’t home, or maybe just hiding from me, sweaty people do small a bit. This time I decided to break the straight line direction and took a left onto Swan St and then onto Church and Chapel St. Certainly created more interest as a busy morning but with so much to see, and so many people to dodge, it seems to make the run go faster. Finally got to Nepean Hwy and then familiar run back through Elwood to home. Cool mornings are nice.

THOMASTOWN. 11/7/2018. 160th Run. 24.7 km.

Longest after work run so far and probably getting close to the limit for a week day run. Home by 8:15pm and whilst the dark doesn’t concern me, not eating dinner whilst running past bars and cafes makes me feel hungrier than normal. Easy trip to Thomastown but 5:18pm train packed so had to stand up most of the way. 90% of this run was in a straight line but made a bit more interesting by another runner who sat about 10 meters behind me after being passed. Being followed that close in the dark is a bit eerie. Lovely cool conditions meant only needed one stop for a drink at Clifton Hill station. Legs starting to tire a bit towards the end but felt OK. This was the start of the last 50 runs - feels like the home straight.

LALOR. 13/9/2018. 173rd Run. 26.4 km.

These runs continue to be dead straight with the only variable that they get longer. High St, Hoodle St, Punt Rd and Barkly St, probably the longest North / South straight line running in Melbourne. First run since getting back from South Africa where my wife did the triathlon half Ironman world Champs. Did a few runs over there but feeling pretty fresh. Lost my bifocal running glasses on Safari so had to pick simple course. Again tried to visit my Reservoir friends but no luck for the 5th time - they are definitely avoiding me. Nice night and not a lot of people about so easy run. Stopped to buy drink at servo near Yarra river and got offered the two for $6 or one for $5.50. Bought the two but left one on the counter as I couldn’t carry two. Call it a donation to the next customer. Home at 8:50 pm having left work late and apart from the hunger - no real problems.

EPPING. 17/10/2018 184th Run. 28.6 km.

Originally planned to run this station on the Tuesday but meetings and rain made the Wednesday a better option. Standard start to the run with tram to city and train to Epping. Got to th estation by 6 pm on track for good night. Finally caught my Reservoir friends at home, must have caught them off guard. Gave me the opportunity to have a quick glass of water and set off before cooling down. Took a phone call whilst running from my parents, nice distraction but hard to explain exactly why I am doing this challenge - not sure they think I am normal. With my wife in Hawaii watching friends do the Ironman in Kona, I was in no real hurry so took my time to enjoy the run. Only 26 runs to go so wondering what I will do next to stay fit and entertain myself.

SOUTH MORANG. 22/10/2018. 185th Run. 31.2 km.

This was the original end of line run when I started th echallenge. Since then three more stations have been added. I won’t do them as part of this challenge but will run them at some time in the future. This was the longest and hottest after work run with the temperature at 28 degrees as I left the station. A bit confusing initially leaving the station through the car parks and shopping center but finally ended up on Plenty Rd after zig zagging through some back streets. Nice long run along Plenty Rd finally brought me back onto the familiar route of High St, Hoodle etc. I know this route well by now. Heat meant two stops for water including finding a $1 bottle of water from 7 eleven. Got a couple of phone calls from family which also helps to distract from the heat and distance but at least runs at this time of the day get cooler as you go. Happy to be home at 9:20 pm but definitely needed to eat.

NEW STATIONS - MIDDLE GORGE, HAWKSTOWE and MERNDA.