Random stuff

Winter is here. Not officially but may as well be. We went from 20-22 degree days to regularly in the mid to low teens within a few days, and with the exception of a few sunny days since, it's been an icy blast in Ballarat of late. The big beautiful trees are now mostly bare, piles of leaves all over the place. And today I wore my wool scarf, upgraded from the lovely light scarf gifted by my daughter last Father's Day.

I've now acquired all the bits and pieces to ride my brand new second hand motorbike - all except the learner's permit. I passed the test but have been waiting now for 12 days for the ticket to come in the mail. The wait is probably a good one though, all the nervous tension has passed and I am calm and ready to ride, when the time is right. And hopefully before the roads get icy.

I took part in the famous Lake Relay last week - raced for my club, Ballarat Harriers, in Division 2. This is an annual event at Lake Wendouree (Wendouree Paddock at the moment, though some ponds appearing) , where individuals run 3 km legs each. It's a race where the four local clubs compete against each other, and we got second in Div 2.

I ran my leg in 10:56, which is easily a new fastest time per kilometre for me. I paced it really well, finished hard and am very happy with that effort. This weekend is the Nichols Nightmare out at Mt Helen: my parents are visiting, which is nice, except they are likely to see me in fine shape to start and horrid shape to finish. The Nightmare is run around Moss Avenue, which is bad enough in a car. :( Will be fun though, I love it.

MITB