A new run...

Sunday was a first for me. We had entered our first City Trail run, a 12k event around the city of Melbourne.

Turned out that Running Buddy was still suffering with this flu thing and couldn't participate. So I headed into the city on my own. I haven't done an event solo for a long time.

I found a car park really close and waited in the car for the showers to pass and wait until the very last moment to throw off my jacket. The queue for the porta potty was short and I lined up in the chute shivering in my singlet knowing I would be warm once I started.

We runners felt very hard core as we set off in the cold drizzly conditions. But I know I can run in the rain now. No problem.

 Couldn't find an actual photo with  me in it but you get the idea of the conditions

We ran along The Tan, around the MCG, up and down steps of stadiums, across bridges and along the Yarra. I didn't enjoy the last trail run I did in the You Yangs but this was a bitumen and concrete trail marked with little red arrows and pink tape and despite the weather was a really great run. A few people were whingeing last night that they had gone off course but like any trail run you have to pay attention to the trail markings. I was thinking as I was running along that Running Buddy would have struggled with the unstructured style but she would have loved the event.
I was really pleased with my 1:20 time & enjoyed the whole thing. I'm sure the girls will want to do this run next year.

And I will too.

Tennis is back Pilates is not....

Congratulations to my Pilates teacher Karen on the birth of her first baby, a son named Edward. My intention to keep stretching at home has fizzled out without her direction. Kaz said she would be back soon but I hope she enjoys being at home with little Eddie for quite a while.

We had a really good game of tennis on Thursday night, we just had one week off for Easter but it felt like ages and it was really good to get back into it. A win for Paul and I (our first as a partnership) and a close loss for John and I.

Next weekend a new adventure for Running Buddy and I as we prepare for our first city trail run.

And I saw that the injured cyclist recovered to compete in National waterskiing championships and win several of her age divisions. Good recovery Lucy, well done.

Jogger witnesses cyclist hit by car...

Yep, while I was out 'jogging' I saw a girl get knocked off her bike at the roundabout. I ran over to help her and luckily she wasn't badly hurt and was more distressed about the damage to her expensive racing bike than the grazes on her arms and legs.
It was quite disconcerting to witness but was glad I was able to comfort her until her Mum came to take her and her mangled bike home.
Hopefully she is out on the road riding again soon.

Hayley moved out...

I am slowly reclaiming the house after Hayley moved out.  She found a one bedroom flat in Ascot Vale so will be close to her job in the city and her friends. The first time for her living on her own, and she is liking it already.

Amazingly it next door to a block of flats that Big Sister lived in about 35 years ago.

We packed up her small amount of furniture and belongings and helped her settle in. I am resisting the urge to take over and fix things up for her. She is now beginning to feel grown up as she organises things for herself and establishes herself as an independent person. Erin was asking what would be left for her to take when she moves out. My mind cannot comprehend that concept just yet but I reassured her that there would be just as much help for her as there has been for Hayley. For Callum too if and when he is ready to be independent.

She is such a gorgeous girl and we will miss her big presence in the house everyday. Somehow I feel differently than I did when she lived locally. This is a different feeling than when she was overseas for all that time too. This feels a bit more permanent than previous arrangements and I need to step back and appreciate the job we have done as parents to get her to this point and to recognise her part in it as well.

Run 4 the Kids 2015

A sunny warm day greeted us for what was to be my 3rd time participating in this big event. I wasn't going to do it again but it was the 10th  anniversary of the event and Melissa's first time.

We had half heartedly trained for this one knowing the hills and bridges pretty well. My race was not spectacularly good and the Bolte bridge beat me again. I am yet to conquer it and may never. It will be my nemesis from here on.

When people ask me how was the race was I say it was a great day. It wasn't a great run but I am still grateful to be able to run, grateful to be part of such an iconic event.