Sunbury Line. (Part 2). Ginifer to Sunbury
GINIFER. 24/6/2017. Run 65. 25.3 km.
Another long run record but there are about 55 runs still left that are longer than this one so that doesn’t make it feel too longer after all. Similar run to Albion a few weeks ago and determined not to make the Etihad Stadium mistake again. Cold morning so drove to Elsternwick to avoid getting too cold before starting. Trains were warm and despite another cold transition at Southern Cross, got to Ginifer and got moving as quick as possible. Kept away from Etihad this time and much easier run through the city. Good thing about cold at the start is it is typically a more comfortable run - at least I benefited from the cold in the end. Tired legs but can plan shorter run next.
ST ALBANS 19/9/2018. Run 175. 27.1 km.
Another terrible weather start to my run. Got hit with hail as I made my way to the tram stop just to get into the city to catch a train to get to where my run starts. But at least things got better from then. Fortunately the rain cleared and I had reasonable conditions for the actual run. Having left work a bit early today I was at St Albans by 5:30 pm which meant most of the run into the city was in light. Very impressive newly built station with a long carpark that went half way to the next station (Ginifer). It was more than a year since I had run Ginifer but I remembered it as I approached and the run home from here was still a memory. Started to get dark as I left the city and the running track along Canterbury Rd was a little tricky in the dark. Lucky I didn’t trip. Better lighting once I was back on the roads and all good from there. Early start meant home at a reasonable time.
KEILOR PLAINS 14/10/2017. Run 93. 29.1 km.
Reluctantly starting to accept that the change over at Southern Cross station for the Sunbury line will never be quick. In fact this time it was only 15 mins and I felt lucky. At just over 29 km this was again the longest run to date. Despite this the only real navigational issue was, as usual, at the start. Roadworks meant that the crossing of the rail line that I planned to take was closed so I had to backtrack to the station to get across. Sopped to buy a drink in Ballarat Rd to buy a drink and got the offer of two Gatorades for $5, but given I couldn’t carry two bottles it turned into 1 for $5. Having done runs out this way before the rest of the run through the city and home down Canterbury Rd was pretty straight forward. Nice day but can feel the heat is coming.
WATERGARDENS. Run 152. 16/6/2018. 33 km.
Had to delay the start of this run when I realized that despite being plugged in, my phone was only 7% charged. Made the 8:20 am from Elsternwick with 65% which should be enough. New long run record today with 33 km ahead of me. Had a standard 17 min wait at Southern Cross which is about normal for this transition so had to suck it up. Easy exit from Watergardens station but had to add some distance to run around the 3LO radio transmission site. Back on track after crossing rail tracks at the Keilor Plains station and back to familiar territory. Got yelled at by a guy on his bike as I ran along the bike AND PEDESTRIAN path in Footscray. He got my opinion straight back with interest. Stopped for drink and jellies at Southern Cross to refuel. Mostly simple run after that but I did accidentally frighten a girl who was walking along the path in Canterbury Rd. There was a murder in Carlton last week (Eurydice Nixon) and I think everyone was on edge. Despite all the delays got home before the bad weather started.
DIGGERS REST. 12/1/2019. Run 202. 42.5 km.
One of only 5 trains stations that result in a run home that is longer than a marathon. But it could have been worse. When I originally planned the run I thought I would have to detour around available roads to get to the Melton Highway. But whilst on the train to get there, I saw a dirt access track next to the train line and decided to risk running along it. Turns out it saved me maybe 4 km. All helps as needed a 4:30 am start to beat the heat. Turns out the hottest part of the day was 9:30 am after the cool change. Whilst the access track was a bit rocky in places it was the first time I was able to complete a station with a shorter distance than planned. Given it was the first time running in this area I did have a few “lost” moments (getting onto the Melton Hwy was one) and getting across the Calder Fwy was another. Once I was on Keilor Rd things started to get easier from a navigational point of view but the legs started to remind how far it was. Stopped to buy cold bottled water a couple of times which is easier than carrying it all that way. Certainly a run of extremes in that at one stage on the access track I would have been kilometres from the nearest person and then in Bourke St Mall I struggled to dodge around them all. Long run but happy to be home. A marathon and 300 m.
SUNBURY. 23/2/2019. Run 207. 46.7 km.
Intentional or not, I left the three longest runs to last. At 46.7 km this run would take some patience and stamina. I had taken a two week break before starting these last three runs that will average almost 50 km - lets call it a taper. Early start as still quite warm in the middle of the day. Uber to Southern Cross and caught the 6:02 am train from Station to Sunbury. Out of the station and heading home by 6:55 am. Mostly downhill all the way but undulating first 10 km before getting to Bulla. Driven that hill a few times but on foot (and with no footpath) just a bit of a challenge. Finally back onto flat ground and only 35 km to go. Still flat as I ran around the perimeter of Tullamarine airport but didn’t feel like it was built to have any pedestrians. Was hoping I wouldn’t be arrested by airport security. Arrived in the main airport precinct and got a drink at the only service station and got going again. Past long term parking and onto Airport Drive and then Melrose Drive. Ran along Matthews Av besides Essendon Airfield and the Tullamarine Fwy and then crossed over the Calder Fwy to link up with Keilor Rd. Still had 20 km to go but again felt good to be back to a place that I recognized and knew the way home. Got into the city and started missing the wide open spaces out at Bulla as shopper everywhere and slow progress. Got onto St Kilda Rd and felt like I was nearly home. Victoria v Queensland sheffield shield game on at the Junction Oval but no time to stop even though I wanted to. Took two Cliff bars to eat but they were gone and felt hungry as I ran down Barkley St. Didn’t want to think that the last two runs were even longer.