Getting to know the Hume...

Day 2 started much the same as day 1- alarm, a short drive to the start line and start running. We started just before sunrise and spent the first hour running through low fog in low temperatures.
Before long we hit the Hume Highway, our home for the next couple of weeks. Mark jumped on the bike and pedaled tirelessly until lunchtime providing us with drinks, food and stories. He reckons he rode about 25kms today, Lance Armstrong style.
By the time we'd hit 20kms or so each of the boys were sick of each other already and reached for the Ipods. Nick's wasn't working so used Carlee's, meaning instead of pumping rock songs getting him up the hills it was the likes of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry...inspirational stuff. This meant that the boys would run at their own pace until lunch time. Ben went out of the blocks fast and Joel and Nick didn't see him for an hour and a half or so, he was on fire! So Ben had a bit of extended lunch, however after having a chat to him, he let us know that his knee wasn't feeling so great.
After a few tuna sangas and Nick's fourth poo stop we hit the road again. This time Ben wasn't too keen on going out too hard so took it easy with Joel, whereas Nick went on ahead solo this time. When we saw a highway patrol car pull over in front of them with the lights flashing, we thought we were in for some trouble-we'd heard the cops frown upon people running up the Hume (which is a freeway in Victoria), so thought we'd have to find another option. The exchange went something like this-
Joel to cop: Ah g'day mate.
Cop: What are you doin?!
Joel: Just running from Melbourne to Sydney, it's a charity thing.
Cop: Oh I was wondering what you bleeping muppets we're doing.
And after that we were sweet! Back on the road and on our way. Boosted the confidence in knowing we'll be sweet whichever road we take.
The blue skies stuck around by the time we hit the town of Seymour. We passed through town before being stopped by the same highway patrol cops...seems they didn't have much to do, and offered for us to take some photos of us in or on their car)-the most laid back cops ever!
Finished up the day with around 47km under the belt.  Back we headed to the local caravan park (who didn't give us a dicount by the way) and hit recovery mode-showers, massages, dinner and now bed! Ben's feet look quite manky but says he's feeling better than yesterday, Joel says he's stiff and sore, and Nick says he's ready for more. Big day tomorrow, with about 49km or so being the goal.
Love,
The boys

                                 Backstreet's back alright!

              Joel getting a serious running technique together

Not long left. Joel directed this artsy shot and would like credit for it.

         Nick powering on past Ruby

 Getting a ticket written out by highway patrol...cool cops.

   Carlee working her magic....feels so bad but so good!