Night walk training session. Hmm where do I begin. At the beginning I guess. So after commencment of all of our kids after school activities yesterday we promptly met at our designated meeting location. Even one of our support crew got a look in this time, my very own husband Joshua, thank you for transporting the team to our starting point. Warburton. Of course we couldnt pass up a photo opportunity trying to do group selfie with not much success. So I look for a passer by, only to see one option (which my gut said give that one a miss) But it was too late she was walking over offering her services. Ok then, cheeeesssseeee. But she was definately more interested in credit cards I had on the inside of my phone case than taking the photo. Then proceeded to pretend to take off with them. Dont mess with me, my kids know karate I thought. So as we bid Josh a fond farewell we head off on the journey that lie ahead. Warburton to Lilydale via the Warby trail - 30km in hopefully 6 1/2 hrs. We were pumped and excited about this night walk, that was until we passed a sign saying lilydale 40km Wwhhaattt. Our walk just got 10km longer. Yikes. But we were invicible at this point, we scoffed, whats 10 more km. But clearly we were like warriors about to go into battle expecting nothing but victory, that adrenaline alone is what made 40km seem like a walk in the park (pardon the pun). So while the sun was setting we were just starting and enjoying the random converstaion over nothing along the way. Lauging, singing, skipping at times. That was until it was completely black in darkness, the head lamps switched on and for some reason no matter how far we walked, time stood still. It really was a test of the mental challenge we will endeavour to push through during the 100km trailwalk. I felt like in parts that this walk would never end. Probably because during the day you can see the sky, the trees, birds, animals, houses, people. There is always something to look at, comment on or even to take a quick photo of. Night walking. Nothing. Just the long black never ending tunnel of night that lays ahead. You somehow start to walk slower, your ears become perked up constantly hearing every little rustle in the bush and noise coming from the distant. No matter how much you know that it is a possum, cow or sheep. You brain still tells you its a creature from outer space (something resembling predator) stalking you ready to pounce, to rip you to shreds with their grousome teeth. (Or possibly that is just me watching too many horror movies) Every time you turned your ahead towards the paddocks the head torches would show at least 10 pairs of shining eyes. I jumped that many times just getting a sudden fright from things running down trees or in the bushes. Probably the funniest surprise was hearing a really really loud rustle in the bushes, thats not a possum it sounds way to big so of course again Im thinking theres someone in there. But when we shine the torches on its only the BIGGESt wombat I think we had ever seen. After some very minimal pauses on the walk for pack adjustments, warmer clothing to apply and shoe amendments we really didnt stop all that much. But by half way it was the late of night that started to kick in the fatigue for me. I was really really tired. Knowing we had another 4 hours ahead was a little daunting. But as my feet were coping well I wasnt bothered as yet. It did get very cold and so was a great example of how much clothing is needed at night. I think for me it was more mentally challenging than physically challenging. It was the brain chatter going on in my head that really played a toll. When I could hear myself saying im so tired how on Earth am I going to walk for 11 hours during the night when I cant even do this how am I going to do roughly 30 hours of walking when I cant even do this and the list went on. I remember walking staring at the ground just following the footsteps in front of me and not focusing on anything else. This was the last 8km and for that distance I felt sick, tired and worried. Worried about my capabilites and the self doubt started to kick in. I had one thing in my mind and that was I need to go to sleep NOW. I actually think I closed my eyes for one minute and was actually sleep walking. I had read this on the oxfam blogs and thought yeah right. But I had heavy heavy eyes and was really struglling to stay awake. It was silent most of the last few kms. Always checking in on each other though. How we were doing? How we were feeling? But finally we made it the end in sight. I really felt it would never end. It was a quick goodbye I can tell you that, as we all drove off into the distance all probably fantasising about how comfy our beds are going to be when we finally get in them. But it is only until this very moment, now, while I write this, that I am starting to realise that last nights efforts must be celebrated for the 30-35 kms of smooth sailing and not the 5-8km at the end that made me feel defeated. If anything is apparent, this is going to be something that will change our lives for ever. Even the sleep deprevation, the aches in all of our joints, the bruised and battered feet. All of what we feel and wish will end, will be forgotten and dismissed the minute we cross that finish line. That my friend is the victory we long for. Ange.xx
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 09:55:35 +0000
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