On Friday morning at 3.30am my alarm went off. It was bucketing rain, and blowing a gale. I made myself a coffee, did a final bag check, woke my husband to drive us to Palm Beach and convinced myself I was doing a good thing. We collected Lisa and headed up the Northern Beaches to Palmy. We met the other 2 team members - Donna and Alison, registered, Dave hugged me farewell and our adventure had begun. 4 mums who had trained for weeks not knowing if we had a confirmed spot in the trek. We were drenched before we began the 10 second countdown to the start. The hooter sounded and off we headed. For 12 hours we walked up and over headlands, along beaches, marvelled at houses that would have cost the earth, all in pouring rain and blowing a gale. We knew if it didn't stop that we were going to struggle. But still we smiled. My friend Deb called me and at that stage my phone was still turned on. She wanted to help. She is a legend. Walking up the beach to us in driving rain with a tray of hot coffees that were appreciated more than she will ever know. We had to cross Dee Why Lagoon, we took our shoes off, that felt good. Our poor feet were soaked by then anyway. We got to the southern end of Dee Why Beach and attempted to dry our feet - in the rain. Fresh socks made us feel better for a wee while. We kept walking, it rained on and off, it was windy on and off - along paths, along trails, always with water in view. Eventually we made it to The Spit at Mosman, where Ben was waiting for us with fresh clothes and food. We stretched, we changed, we ate, we whinged a little and we headed off again. Darkness fell. We made it to Balmoral - the half way mark - the 50km mark. We kept trudging. The Harbour Bridge became a beacon in the darkness. With time, it got closer. Grant met us on the side of the road in Neutral Bay somewhere - more fresh clothes, warm soup, tough love. Off we set again. Checkpoint after checkpoint went by. Rain fell on and off. We marched along the foreshore. The lights of the Harbour Bridge and the city almost tormenting us, but keeping us going. We were heckled in Kirribilli, we had a laugh. And then we were on the Harbour Bridge, past midnight, feeling weary. But we had made it and we were off the Northern Side and heading South East. Another stop as we came off the Bridge and sat in the Rocks. Words of admiration and encouragement from a drunken English backpacker. We were doing ok. 3am Rushcutters Bay - the blisters were murdering our feet. Dave came bringing with him chicken noodle and vege soup - warming our hearts and lifting our spirits. I couldn't stop yawning. So tired, still so far to go. And then we were at Rose Bay - a manned checkpoint. We had made it so far - we were at the 75km mark. Surely we would get a spring in our step? No, my idea of hell was just beginning - trails along the foreshore from Rosebay to Neilsens Park, Vaucluse. We were all so quiet. I was 2nd in our conga line - my memory of that is my head torch like a spot light watching Donnas's feet in front of me - watching her every step - did her foot submerge into mud or water or was that step a dry spot. It felt like hours. A toilet stop at Neilsens Park - the others sat. I think Lisa had a three minute snooze, I had to keep walking or it would have been the end of me. The sun rising was like a gift from God - the difference it made, the boost it gave. We kept walking, more checkpoints. All four of us in a world of pain. My husband and my babies in my minds eye at all times, knowing they were going to be at the finish line kept me going, got me a little emotional at times. My phone was off alot of the distance but each time I turned it on, beautiful messages, texts, emails and facebook messages, encouraging me, pushing me to keep going. Such wonderful people in my life. My knee started to play up, I was having trouble bending it on some of the stairs. Donn'as ITB was giving her all sorts of grief. We side stepped down every set of stairs - were pretty good going up stairs. All of us quiet - just dreaming of getting to Coogee. Then down the hill into Bondi. In agony, so close - only 6.5k to go, still so far away. Blisters in places I've never had them on my feet, my knee was hammering with pain, the voltaren had worn off. Joggers, walkers - so kind - words of encouragement, not far to go now. I rounded Clovelly and there was Wylies Baths in the distance. One would think a spring in my step would miraculously appear, I was too tired. One foot in front of the other. Donna and I had slowed right down. Our legs were killing us. Alison and Lisa up ahead, stopped to wait - we were walking that last little bit together, as a team of 4. And then walking up the last hill I spy Sophie, Lisa's daughter running down to her, and here comes my Zoe - I was welling up - almost overcome with emotion. We had done it. We marched up that hill together. The rest of our families waiting. A sight for sore and tired eyes. Nicola and Anne - gorgeous friends waiting for me, taking pics as the 4 of us crossed the finish line together, poles in the air, smiles on our faces, absolutely buggered. 29 hours and 7 minutes. We hurt like hell. We had walked 100 kilometres, without sleep and in dreadful conditions. I flopped on the ground. I had to get my shoes off my feet. Hugs with my babies, kisses from my husband. I had done it.
Homr, radox bath, 2 hours sleep, thai takeaway, 2 glass champagne, still hurting, 12 hours sleep. A little stiff the next day. So tired still.
The pain is still too much a couple of days on, I don't quite appreciate this achievement just yet. I am sore, I am weary. But hour by hour I am feeling better. I know that I am stronger than I think I am, I know that I can do anything I can set my mind to. I learned alot about myself, about what it is to be a part of a team in an event like that, about how important it is to do these types of events to raise money for others less fortunate than myself.
We raised over $6,500 for the Fred Hollows Foundation. We were one team of only 10 that finished with all 4 team members, we smiled through the pain and we finished. I have good thoughts and bad of the whole experience. I need some distance to look back and appreciate it. I am glad I did it, but don't think I will go that distance again (never say never though!). To have my families arms wrapped around me at the end and tell me how proud they are was one of the best feelings ever. Nothing cane beat that, ever!
