Originally written September 2022
In preparation for the Melbourne Marathon, I decided to do my last long training run along the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.
The plan was simple: run.
Unfortunately, nobody warned me that practically the entire 40 kilometres would be picturesque.
So instead of concentrating on my running, I became distracted by the landscape, flowers, livestock, birds and anything else that looked remotely photogenic.
Run a little.
Stop.
Take a photo.
Run again.
More sheep.
Another photo. 
By the time I finished, it had taken me about seven hours of walking, running and picture-taking.
Not exactly the focused long run I had planned.
But what a beautiful way to spend seven hours.
What I loved about the trail was the combination of being alone with nature between the old station towns, then suddenly finding civilisation again — public toilets, water, picnic areas and even cafés.
The railway itself opened to Warburton in 1901 and once carried timber, freight and passengers through the Yarra Valley. Trains stopped running in 1965, and much of the old railway corridor has since become the trail.
I was supposed to be preparing for a marathon.
Instead, I spent half the day sightseeing.
Would I do it again? At the drop of a hat.
Stories Along the Way 