Coming up to two weeks under restrictions (I’m not sure I can describe it as lockdown yet as we are still free to shop, work and exercise each day; just by ourselves or with immediate family).  Being late March, Melbourne’s weather has been gorgeous – that lovely soft Autumn sunshine, cool nights, crisp mornings and warm afternoons that make you want to bask.  Going for a run every second day, and a walk on the other days, has been a saving grace.  The roads are pretty quiet, but parks and off road trails are full of walkers, joggers, bike riders and dog walkers.  All over the globe, there will be an upswing in fitness levels both human and canine.

We’ve done five Maplink courses now, adding Wheelers Hill (flat and fast on a hot afternoon); Ruffey Lake (steep and much slower in a sprinkling of rain and full humidity), and today, Maroondah Triangle.  It’s Aprill now, and the forecast was dire – wet and cold – but more of the same for the next few days.  We saw a hint of blue sky early this afternoon, after a lot of rain overnight and this morning. Checked the radar – looked like a narrow 1 hour gap of dry weather. We donned running gear and bolted for it.

Our arrival was met by lovely sunshine, and a quick hi to Philly and Stephen, who were just leaving.  Clouds were regathering, but they seemed to be going south and moving quickly so I thought a light shower might be all we would get. I ran north to my first couple of controls, feeling good and moving well. Ian had passed me and was way off in the distance.

I felt the first drops after about 15 minutes. Then the first rumble of thunder. Then the skies opened and within seconds I was soaked to the skin. I was at the furthest control  on my planned route. Nothing for it but to adopt a stoic approach, pretend I was in the midst of a European summer downpour, put my head down and keep going (aka Keep Calm and Carry On).

I hadn’t previously peeked at Pete’s score for the same course so I didnt know what I was aiming for, but there were 11 controls on my route, and I pressed on past all of them. I had to stop 3 or 4 times to wipe the rain off my glasses – the smears were playing havoc with my visual perception of the world around me. The last run across the flooding oval was particularly squelchy.  I arrived back at the car after 39 minutes (and 38 points – one control short of Pete’s 41 points, which I blame squarely on the fact that I couldnt see a bloody thing).  I stripped off my sodden clothes with the careless abandon of a Swedish W75 at the World Masters – after all, everyone else was happily following Stay Home orders and no doubt thinking this was Very Good Advice as they sipped their cocoa and snuggled deeper under their doonas, while we lunatics were self exercising. Or should that be self flagellating.

Five minutes later, Ian appeared. Wordlessly I handed him a towel.  He’d used his map to protect his head from bouncing hailstones. We both huddled in the car and drove home as fast as we could, feeling frozen but virtuous.

The kitchen floor looked like some kind of bizarre strip tease had occurred, as we flung miscellaneous items of clothing onto it (I know, TMI). How shower, hot soup, all good.

It’s 5.30pm here in Melbourne. The sun is shining. And it’s still raining. Go figure.

PS We should have been at my dear friend Jess’s wedding today, dressed up in our fancy clothes, enjoying cocktails and finger food in the Yarra Valley, and waving them off on a fabulous holiday.  When we do get the honour (in December), how special an occasion it will be. Cheers.