Running in Melbourne - and loving it!
No time to blog while in Melbourne - way too much going on - so here's an update of what I've been up to since the last post from Hobart...
Friday 20/10/06:
No running today but calves finally seem to have loosened up, since last nights run & walk.
Final day of the conference was good and almost as soon as it was over I was off to the airport for my flight to Melbourne. There was a farewell dinner, but staying for that would have meant not getting to Melbourne until Sat morning... nah! My sister met me at the airport, we checked in to the Crown Prominade (very nice room indeed on the 22nd floor with a fantastic view of the city.) We then had dinner at Breezes on the 3rd floor of the casino complex - best table in the place and fantastic food, overlooking the river with the gas "flames" right outside the window!
Saturday 21/10/06:
Drove to Port Melbourne (my sister used to rent an apartment there right on the waterfront) at 8am and I couldn't believe how cold it was! The wind was just as bad as what I've been experiencing in Auckland lately - something I was keen to get away from! It was too cold for a walking warmup, went straight into a jog as we headed out towards St Kilda beach. Plenty of other runners out there, despite the "artic blast" ! After a quick toilet stop and stretch we headed back again and only then did my hands thaw up, once the wind was mainly behind us!
V. Easy paced run: 45mins (approx 7km)
Short walking cooldown.
The rest of the day was spent outlet mall shopping at DFO! In the evening my sisters partner and his friend came into town and we all went to the Kiwis vs Kangaroos Rugby League Tri-Nations test match at Telstra Stadium. It was kept from me as a surprise, until we were on our way there and had stopped off at a bar for a pre-match drink. There were Kiwi supporters everywhere and the atmosphere in the stadium was great. Despite the fact that we didn't win I still had a blast and shouted myself hoarse! Afterwards it was off to another couple of bars at the Crown complex and a bit of late night shopping! Yes, only I could be in the Warner Bros store at 11.30pm at night, buying up large! My excuse was that it stopped me from sitting around drinking too much (something I am trying hard not to do, one week out from my HM) That was followed by huge slices of scrummy pizza eaten while walking back to our room at midnight!
Sunday 21/10/06:
Was very excited about meeting up with some fellow Ausrunners at 8am at The Tan this morning. As my sister had decided she would not run (her partner stayed in town with us and they decided to have a boozy night and a sleep-in instead!) I called on Angel (Boston) for a lift instead, as I did not know how to get there on my own or where the meeting point (The Pillars) was...
As it turned out, even with Angel (who I trusted knew his Tan landmarks!) we were waiting at the wrong monument! Opps! By 8.15am I was starting to think that either nobody loved me... or we were in the wrong place! We decided to start jogging in what was hopefully the opposite direction to the others if they were about somewhere and eventually we would run into each other. After 5 mins or so one of us need to stop for a toilet break (not me!) while the other dropped to the ground to stretch the hammies (me!) We had not long got going again when Angel suddenly called out "Em!" and did a quick U turn! There was Emma and Tony (TB) heading in the opposite direction, having had the same thoughts!
After some quick introductions and a bit of chat, we all headed off for a lap and a bit of the Tan, before Em lead us off on a bike path, thru Fed Square and then back to the Tan. It was an absolutely gorgeous spring morning, there were heaps of people around and I was amazed at the beauty and vibrancy of it all. There are so many interesting landmarks to look at - art, sculptures, monuments, beautiful gardens and of course the Yarra River. Whether we were running in pairs or all together, there was plenty of chatter - although it did take me a while to click why Em wasn't answering me when going up Anderson Street! We finished with a bit of a sprint - a challenge thrown down by Tony who then streaked away from us all! A fun way to end a fantastic run!
All up a thoroughly enjoyable, steady paced 10.5kms in 54.29 mins, superseded by a 5min jog warm-up, followed by a decent walk to the various cars and then on to Cafe 181 in Domain Rd for breakfast. Good food, coffee and conversation topped off the morning and I was so pleased to have put faces to the names of people I feel I have gotten to know very well thru blogs and the Ausrun forum. A huge thanks to Angel, Em and Tony for joining me on what will be a run that I remember for a long time to come.
The rest of the day was spent driving out to Mornington where my sister Vanessa and her partner, Chris, now live with a stop along the way for a few hours of shopping at Southlands Mall. That evening they took me to a couple of their favourite local haunts, including a neat bar called the Brass Razoo which is totally decorated like a French sitting room, followed by a restaurant called The Social where we had fantastic Tapas and then next door to that where we watched a band which one of their friends plays in. Have to say I was fairly buggered when I fell into bed around 11.30pm!
Monday 23/10/06:
Vanessa and I had planned to run together at 8am this morning, around a local loop that she uses. However some idiot (me!) took all of their running gear with them, EXCEPT running shoes!! What a moron - I was so annoyed with myself, but there was nothing I could do about it - they were sitting on my hotel room floor over an hour away!
It was another lovely day (the weather definately redeemed itself after Saturday!) and we spent it driving around the peninsula, having breakfast in the sun at a wonderful cafe, checking out the golf resort where Chris is the GM, going to the Arthurs Seat lookout and then to a couple of wineries, where we did some tastings and at Red Hill had a superb cheese board, while overlooking a gorgeous landscape.
Late that afternoon Vanessa and I drove back to the central city, where we both met up with Angel who took us to a bar and then a restaurant, where we had lots of divine Tapas and even more divine red wine, interesting conversation and finally dessert!
Tuesday 24/10/06:
As we did not run yesterday (my fault!) we had planned on going out for a quick trot around town this morning before I had to be at the airport by 10am. Despite having the best of intentions, we had a few other matters to sort out and never made it. The HM plan is calling for very little milage this week anyway, due to the big day being this Sunday, but I have to say I have felt positively lazy for doing so little running!
By 12pm my plane was in the air and I was heading home. I was sad not only to be leaving my sister, but the entire city of Melbourne which I absolutely love! Its just so interesting and bustling and vibrant! Thats not to say I don't love my hometown of Auckland (and I did miss my daughter) but being a visitor in an exciting city is always a buzz and Melbourne almost feels like a second home to me now. I think I've been there about 5 times in the past 7 years since Vanessa moved there, but I always discover something new and exciting. And now that I feel like I have "friends" in town, its even better!
It was 6.15pm local time when I landed. Courtney was very excited to have me home, especially as she had been sick over the weekend and my poor Mum had the job of cleaning up the bathroom several times on Sat night (need I say more!) Have to say, my suitcase was extremely full and my wallet extremely empty by the time I left Melbourne and Courtney got very spoilt (as did I!) I even did some early Christmas shopping - very early for me!
Wednesday 25/10/06:
Even though I hadn't missed much according to the plan, there was no way I was not getting out for a decent run today, after two days off! Headed out at 6am in 10 degrees C and it felt rather strange to be running round the usually very familiar streets of home!
Even though the plan called for no more than a 35min jog, I really felt like my legs needed a good stretch and a bit of pace.
Brisk walk warmup: 5mins
Steady paced run (inc 3x15sec sprints as per plan): 39mins (8km)
Brisk walk cooldown: 5mins
Felt good to work a little harder and I turned my thoughts more fully towards the upcoming HM. I feel after all of the (great) distractions of the past week, I really need to focus now, get some routine and familiarity back and prepare myself mentally for this event that I have been working towards for most of the year. It will be my 5th HM, but the first one in just over 2 years due to various injuries and set-backs. When I started this blog in May my goal was to get to the start line of the Auckland Half without any further significant injury and with the help of my physio, Rachel and a sensible training plan I have done that. There will be absolutely no more alcohol for me until after race day, just lots of healthy foods and fluids and hopefully plenty of sleep!
The few days between now and Sunday only call for a couple of 15min jogs or walking. I will do a bit of both tomorrow night and on Saturday morning, just to keep loose and in order not to go mad! The nerves haven't really kicked in yet - I've been too busy back at work today to even think about it actually - but I am feeling excited and looking forward to it!
Friday 20/10/06:
No running today but calves finally seem to have loosened up, since last nights run & walk.
Final day of the conference was good and almost as soon as it was over I was off to the airport for my flight to Melbourne. There was a farewell dinner, but staying for that would have meant not getting to Melbourne until Sat morning... nah! My sister met me at the airport, we checked in to the Crown Prominade (very nice room indeed on the 22nd floor with a fantastic view of the city.) We then had dinner at Breezes on the 3rd floor of the casino complex - best table in the place and fantastic food, overlooking the river with the gas "flames" right outside the window!
Saturday 21/10/06:
Drove to Port Melbourne (my sister used to rent an apartment there right on the waterfront) at 8am and I couldn't believe how cold it was! The wind was just as bad as what I've been experiencing in Auckland lately - something I was keen to get away from! It was too cold for a walking warmup, went straight into a jog as we headed out towards St Kilda beach. Plenty of other runners out there, despite the "artic blast" ! After a quick toilet stop and stretch we headed back again and only then did my hands thaw up, once the wind was mainly behind us!
V. Easy paced run: 45mins (approx 7km)
Short walking cooldown.
The rest of the day was spent outlet mall shopping at DFO! In the evening my sisters partner and his friend came into town and we all went to the Kiwis vs Kangaroos Rugby League Tri-Nations test match at Telstra Stadium. It was kept from me as a surprise, until we were on our way there and had stopped off at a bar for a pre-match drink. There were Kiwi supporters everywhere and the atmosphere in the stadium was great. Despite the fact that we didn't win I still had a blast and shouted myself hoarse! Afterwards it was off to another couple of bars at the Crown complex and a bit of late night shopping! Yes, only I could be in the Warner Bros store at 11.30pm at night, buying up large! My excuse was that it stopped me from sitting around drinking too much (something I am trying hard not to do, one week out from my HM) That was followed by huge slices of scrummy pizza eaten while walking back to our room at midnight!
Sunday 21/10/06:
Was very excited about meeting up with some fellow Ausrunners at 8am at The Tan this morning. As my sister had decided she would not run (her partner stayed in town with us and they decided to have a boozy night and a sleep-in instead!) I called on Angel (Boston) for a lift instead, as I did not know how to get there on my own or where the meeting point (The Pillars) was...
As it turned out, even with Angel (who I trusted knew his Tan landmarks!) we were waiting at the wrong monument! Opps! By 8.15am I was starting to think that either nobody loved me... or we were in the wrong place! We decided to start jogging in what was hopefully the opposite direction to the others if they were about somewhere and eventually we would run into each other. After 5 mins or so one of us need to stop for a toilet break (not me!) while the other dropped to the ground to stretch the hammies (me!) We had not long got going again when Angel suddenly called out "Em!" and did a quick U turn! There was Emma and Tony (TB) heading in the opposite direction, having had the same thoughts!
After some quick introductions and a bit of chat, we all headed off for a lap and a bit of the Tan, before Em lead us off on a bike path, thru Fed Square and then back to the Tan. It was an absolutely gorgeous spring morning, there were heaps of people around and I was amazed at the beauty and vibrancy of it all. There are so many interesting landmarks to look at - art, sculptures, monuments, beautiful gardens and of course the Yarra River. Whether we were running in pairs or all together, there was plenty of chatter - although it did take me a while to click why Em wasn't answering me when going up Anderson Street! We finished with a bit of a sprint - a challenge thrown down by Tony who then streaked away from us all! A fun way to end a fantastic run!
All up a thoroughly enjoyable, steady paced 10.5kms in 54.29 mins, superseded by a 5min jog warm-up, followed by a decent walk to the various cars and then on to Cafe 181 in Domain Rd for breakfast. Good food, coffee and conversation topped off the morning and I was so pleased to have put faces to the names of people I feel I have gotten to know very well thru blogs and the Ausrun forum. A huge thanks to Angel, Em and Tony for joining me on what will be a run that I remember for a long time to come.
The rest of the day was spent driving out to Mornington where my sister Vanessa and her partner, Chris, now live with a stop along the way for a few hours of shopping at Southlands Mall. That evening they took me to a couple of their favourite local haunts, including a neat bar called the Brass Razoo which is totally decorated like a French sitting room, followed by a restaurant called The Social where we had fantastic Tapas and then next door to that where we watched a band which one of their friends plays in. Have to say I was fairly buggered when I fell into bed around 11.30pm!
Monday 23/10/06:
Vanessa and I had planned to run together at 8am this morning, around a local loop that she uses. However some idiot (me!) took all of their running gear with them, EXCEPT running shoes!! What a moron - I was so annoyed with myself, but there was nothing I could do about it - they were sitting on my hotel room floor over an hour away!
It was another lovely day (the weather definately redeemed itself after Saturday!) and we spent it driving around the peninsula, having breakfast in the sun at a wonderful cafe, checking out the golf resort where Chris is the GM, going to the Arthurs Seat lookout and then to a couple of wineries, where we did some tastings and at Red Hill had a superb cheese board, while overlooking a gorgeous landscape.
Late that afternoon Vanessa and I drove back to the central city, where we both met up with Angel who took us to a bar and then a restaurant, where we had lots of divine Tapas and even more divine red wine, interesting conversation and finally dessert!
Tuesday 24/10/06:
As we did not run yesterday (my fault!) we had planned on going out for a quick trot around town this morning before I had to be at the airport by 10am. Despite having the best of intentions, we had a few other matters to sort out and never made it. The HM plan is calling for very little milage this week anyway, due to the big day being this Sunday, but I have to say I have felt positively lazy for doing so little running!
By 12pm my plane was in the air and I was heading home. I was sad not only to be leaving my sister, but the entire city of Melbourne which I absolutely love! Its just so interesting and bustling and vibrant! Thats not to say I don't love my hometown of Auckland (and I did miss my daughter) but being a visitor in an exciting city is always a buzz and Melbourne almost feels like a second home to me now. I think I've been there about 5 times in the past 7 years since Vanessa moved there, but I always discover something new and exciting. And now that I feel like I have "friends" in town, its even better!
It was 6.15pm local time when I landed. Courtney was very excited to have me home, especially as she had been sick over the weekend and my poor Mum had the job of cleaning up the bathroom several times on Sat night (need I say more!) Have to say, my suitcase was extremely full and my wallet extremely empty by the time I left Melbourne and Courtney got very spoilt (as did I!) I even did some early Christmas shopping - very early for me!
Wednesday 25/10/06:
Even though I hadn't missed much according to the plan, there was no way I was not getting out for a decent run today, after two days off! Headed out at 6am in 10 degrees C and it felt rather strange to be running round the usually very familiar streets of home!
Even though the plan called for no more than a 35min jog, I really felt like my legs needed a good stretch and a bit of pace.
Brisk walk warmup: 5mins
Steady paced run (inc 3x15sec sprints as per plan): 39mins (8km)
Brisk walk cooldown: 5mins
Felt good to work a little harder and I turned my thoughts more fully towards the upcoming HM. I feel after all of the (great) distractions of the past week, I really need to focus now, get some routine and familiarity back and prepare myself mentally for this event that I have been working towards for most of the year. It will be my 5th HM, but the first one in just over 2 years due to various injuries and set-backs. When I started this blog in May my goal was to get to the start line of the Auckland Half without any further significant injury and with the help of my physio, Rachel and a sensible training plan I have done that. There will be absolutely no more alcohol for me until after race day, just lots of healthy foods and fluids and hopefully plenty of sleep!
The few days between now and Sunday only call for a couple of 15min jogs or walking. I will do a bit of both tomorrow night and on Saturday morning, just to keep loose and in order not to go mad! The nerves haven't really kicked in yet - I've been too busy back at work today to even think about it actually - but I am feeling excited and looking forward to it!
posted by Vicky @ 10/25/2006 08:16:00 pm
3 Comments:
At Thu Oct 26, 12:39:00 am,
Em said…
Wow, so glad you had such an enjoyable visit to Melbourne. Thank goodness we still managed to cross paths, and I was thrilled it was such a lovely morning to show off my regular running haunt (I LOVE my city so much!) and it was fantasic to meet you, it felt more like catching up with an old mate than meeting a stranger :-)
Keep well and rest up now, can't wait to hear how you go on Sunday.
And yes, I find Anderson St a bugger, but I am used to being the slow poke in the running group, too fast for the slow group, too slow for the fast group, I am a "tweenie" :-)
At Thu Oct 26, 01:08:00 pm,
Jaykay said…
Really sorry that I couldn't meet up with you on Sunday Vicky. Sounds like you had a great time.
Melbourne is certainly an interesting place. There's always so much happening.
Good luck on Sunday. Will be waiting to read the post race report.
At Thu Oct 26, 07:52:00 pm,
Anonymous said…
Great post. It was interesting to read about my home city from a visitor's perspective.
Hope you keep up your record of regular visits.
Good luck on Sunday, enjoy the fruits of your prep!!!
When reading about the Tan mix up, it occured to me that you and Angel should have set off in different directions, then one of you would have been certain to find the other group. File that under how to find someone on a loop when you're with someone else!
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