Run 60. Disrupted by the Tiger. 11/12/2019.
This run started in Brighton as a result of dropping off my car for a service. Forgetting that detail later in the run ended up costing me.
Headed south towards the Royal Melbourne Golf Club that was hosting the Presidents Cup. Had to check directions a couple of times but finally got to Black Rock and followed the signs to the Golf Club. Ran along Cheltenham Rd until I was stopped by a security guard / parking official who wouldn’t let me go any further without an appropriate pass. Tried to talk my way in by saying I was just going for a run but he was clearly not going to let me any further. He insisted that Tiger Woods and other “stars” were practicing. The road was definitely closed.
Doubled back and ran along Tulip St and tried to access the course again but the security was good and I couldn’t be bothered.
By now I had done around 10 kilometers and it was time to head home. Found my way back to Bay Rd and eventually onto Beach Rd. Turned right and ran along the track along the beach. It was as I ran past the Sandringham Football Oval that I realised that I had done 17.5km and I only had 3.5km to finish the half. But I knew this area and knew I had at least 6km to home. Then I remembered that I hadn’t started at home – and this was now going to be a 24km run.
I turned off the stopwatch at 21.1km as always with a time of 1:47:48, and then ran home.
My Three Learnings
Golf courses are good running destinations as long as you don’t pick the wrong club.
Roads get closed for all sorts of reasons.
Remembering where you started is key to judging your finish.