Avid runner Melanie Tudball has been without a trail buddy since October, so she decided to start her own women’s only running group. She talks to Sumeyya Ilanbey about her project.
What’s your connection to Moorabool?
I’ve been here for about 16 years. I’m from Geelong initially, but I married a local boy and that’s why I came to Bacchus Marsh. My husband’s family are a couple of generations of Bacchus Marshians. We married here and we’ve got a couple of kids at the local school.
What’s your favourite part about living in Bacchus Marsh?
It has a lot to offer – lots of education and job opportunities. My husband calls it the golden triangle – we’re close to Geelong, Ballarat and Melbourne. We also like that there isn’t a lot of hustle and bustle.
What would you change about the area?
The traffic. The school runs are a nightmare – we live in Darley and our kids go to St Bernards [Primary School in Bacchus Marsh], so the school run can often take 20 minutes for what is a six-kilometre trip. We do ride our bikes a lot, particularly during spring and summer, just to try and beat the traffic.
You’ve started Bacchus Marsh Women’s Trail Running group – tell us about this?
I’ve been a trail runner for a few years … but I didn’t want to go for the runs on my own … I didn’t feel safe or that it was sensible. So I put out the call for some women to join a group. I was only expecting six or seven people to jump on board, but a huge number [more than 70] have heeded that [Facebook] call.
What’s the best thing about trail running?
It’s a different running activity – your senses are more in tune because you have to look where you’re going, making sure you don’t trip. I really like the peace and serenity of the bush; I like it’s mindfulness. It’s so relaxing that I don’t think about the list of the chores I have, I don’t think about the shopping list, I don’t think about school lunches. I just get out there, enjoy the peace and quiet, and see if I can find some wildlife.
Where’s your favourite track?
Probably the Lerderderg Gorge/Grahams Dam track. It’s just a nice, easy scenic track. It’s got some rocks, some stepping stones through the water, and the track changes a little – it can be hilly and then smooth.
And where’s your favourite me-time place?
Local cafes – they do really great coffee and [some] do really great healthy foods.
