The Horrie and Belinda Show

25/6/05

Today's run was a variation of the Vaucluse Variation STaR which the Striders are running tomorrow. The main variation was to start and finish the run at Bronte instead of Vaucluse. The advantage of this was that it was closer to home and near Bondi Junction where Belinda had to go and pick up her new orthotics at 9.30.

We set out for the 27.1km option around 6am in questionable weather. When we pulled into Bronte, there was a very strong wind, clouds were swerling around and you felt that the rain wasn't that far away. So we left Bronte into a strong headwind around Tamarama but by the time we got to Bondi, it had settled down. Then we had a fair climb up Military Rd which is the road you run down into Bondi to finish the City to Surf. We just worked our way into the hill and settled into a nice rhythm all the way up then we took the coastal walk around Vaucluse and down into Gap Park where you are blessed with the most beautiful view of the ocean. Then down to Watson's Bay and around the loop there before you head through Parsley Bay and Nielsen Park before heading up Vaucluse Rd where you turn into New South Head Rd and head down Heartbreak Hill. It is certainly easier running down it instead of up it like you have to for C2S. You then head through Double Bay before turning up Edgecliff Rd towards Bondi Junction. We then chose our second variation and decided to keep running up the hill all the way to the top of Edgecliff Rd instead of turning off down to Cooper Park and up through Bellevue Hill. We then headed down Old South Head Rd before turning into Penkivil St and heading through Waverley before heading down to Bronte. We ended up running 27km in 2:52 for a very enjoyable long run in what ended up great weather for running.