Sunday, 18 October 2015

Week 38: Highgate Hill to Denim Co (28km, 2hrs 49min)

It’s all new territory now.  Running distances which I would have dismissed as fantasy in my pre-marathon goal life, are now a reality.  I was in hallowed company this morning; having gleefully agreed to running with local running identity, Emma, in her ‘wind down’ to her 50km trail run next weekend!  Bronwyn, my usual BOTR team mate was Singapore bound to acclimatise her training to more humid locations.  Both Emma and Bronwyn will be running the Queenstown Marathon in four weeks time.
With Brisbane summer around the corner we determined a departure of 5am to beat the heat.  There is something mystical about being awake to see the sunrise with the heady scent of jasmine in the air.  Never one to go without food for too long, I conducted a small trial of pre-breakfast before departure and set the alarm for 4:15 to fit in some weetbix and honey to sustain me on my long journey ahead.
Emma has a catalogue of routes around Brisbane and we completed her ’28’ Gateway Bridge loop this morning.  It was a great benefit running with Emma for her ability to maintain a steady pace.  I am yet to perfect a consistent velocity and run a hare –tortoise affair based on emotions and undulations.
In the first few kilometres we followed our reptilian river via Kangaroo Point, Dockside, Mowbray Park and onto Wynnum Road towards Balmoral and Morningside.  Having passed at least 3 fellow runners in the opposite direction who all greeted Emma, I was provided an insight into the sub culture and community that represents running.  Emma was able to provide detail as to who was training for what event with the New York Marathon imminently approaching for some of her running family.  We made our way towards Lytton road with the slow build towards the Gateway Bridge. My lovely companion even provided food supplements along the way with pleasantly tasting Gu Chomps and chocolate balls every 5km.  I had only left home with my small banana stored in what I thought was a discreet position, although others may have thought I’d had some lopsided silicone enhancement.  I discovered that the Gateway Bridge is very symmetrically a 1km rise then a 1km descent.  The view from the top is quite spectacular and something not able to be enjoyed from the car deck.  I finished my banana on the way down and we continued towards Kingsford Smith Drive and the City.
Around Hamilton (17-18km) my enthusiasm began to ebb.  Mentally I was aware I had another 10km to go and our breakfast café seemed a distant aspiration.  On my request, Emma’s chirpy banter and recount of recent films provided a fantastic distraction through to kilometre 23. Her enthralling chronicle of death and survival in the film ‘Everest’ inspired and diverted me through Fortitude Valley towards the river frontage under the Story Bridge.  At kilometre 25, survival relief (and likely a consistent running pace) helped make surprisingly easy work of the last few kilometres through Riverside and the Botanic Gardens and over the Goodwill Bridge into South Bank.
Despite the still early hour, Denim Co at South Bank had but a few seating options left with a line of people gathered to order at the counter.  Despite the busy conditions, the staff maintained a calm professionalism while providing an efficient and friendly service.  It was easy to relax and settle into a beautiful Brisbane morning on Little Stanley Street overlooking the green space of South Bank.
Emma ordered the bacon and eggs ($13.50),  accompanied with tomatoes and Turkish bread; a simple but tasty dish, with the perfect amount of run in the poached eggs, a feat not accomplished by many breakfast cafés in my travels to date.  Emma’s flat white ($3.50) was declared perfect.
My balsamic mushrooms ($15.50), with poached eggs ($4.00) were also delicious and cooked to perfection.  The mushrooms were seasoned beautifully and accompanied with spinach and a little pot of smooth and tasty feta with Turkish toast.
The BOTR journey has been all about finding those cafés providing good food, friendly service at the right price, in a pleasant location.  Denim Co is a great example of this.  Combined with my lovely running companion and mentor, Denim Co rounded off a perfect morning.  

Only four breakfasts to go until the big day!
Bacon and eggs

Balsamic mushrooms

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