26.03.07
Posted in Events, Oxfam Trailwalker at 1:07 pm by admin
Having completed the Trailwalker by Saturday 24 March, Sunday was an opportunity to reflect on our participation and achievements in this great team challenge. (And rest our aching bodies to boot!)
Lee: For me it was the challenge, it had to be difficult to make it worthwhile but it was more difficult than I expected, particularly the last 10kms of gruelling DOWNhill walk with blisters on the backs of my heels. But the training paid off and 2 days later I have recovered well. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the walk, it was great to get so much support from staff, suppliers, customers, and we raised a goodly sum for Oxfam! But once was enough, I won’t be lining up next year.
Merilyn: Participation in the Oxfam Trailwalker has so many benefits. It’s a good feeling to know that I am physically and mentally prepared to get through this event - somehow it puts other things in life into perspective. I value immensely the friendship and support of a great team, and friends and family who have walked so many kilometres with me, both in training and during the event. I value too the involvement of the broader community of friends, family, clients and business colleagues who have contributed much encouragement, and to helping us with such a magnificent fundraising result.
Rob: I found the walk a good test of endurance (and I could say character, but the rest of the team and I probably already knew I was impatient) and only goes to show you cannot do enough preparation. Despite all the walking we did pre-event, I still came out of it with a sore left knee. The daylight hours were enjoyable with lots of banter between all walkers but the night-time in the rain was a hard slog and would have been extremely demoralising if not for the fantastic bunch of friends who talked us through the long wet hours. I don’t think I will do it again - there must be another challenge out there that’s not as punishing!
Vanessa: Having travelled through many of the countries Oxfam benefits, I was personally inspired to do all that I could to help those less fortunate than us. Through poverty and extreme hardship these communities still have a friendly, welcoming smile and appreciate the support they receive through donations and visitors to their countries to help give them the things we take for granted. The Oxfam Trailwalker was a huge, personal challenge and I’m so proud to have been a part of an amazing team of committed and inspiring people. Thanks to our fantastic group of supporters who helped carry us through the journey, and for their motivational words that picked me up when I thought I could not go on any longer. Your encouragement and belief in me and our team was what got me over the line.
John: For me it was all about getting the team over the line in under 30 hours. My job was to make sure the team received necessary refreshments and TLC at all points along the trail, and to keep them motivated and focused during the wee hours of Saturday morning. Logistically the conditions were as bad for me as they were for the walkers, but as they say in the classics “the show must go on”. The team did extremely well and I was so proud of them when they crossed the finish line. Also my appreciation must go to the hundreds of Oxfam volunteers along the trail who happily accommodated all support teams at every check point. If this camaraderie could be transcribed across all nations the world would be a much better place to live. Once again congratulations to the Heat Beads® Hot Shoe Shufflers for a magnificent effort.
Total to date:
$16175.00
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Posted in Events, Oxfam Trailwalker at 1:02 pm by admin
We survived, making it over the finish line in the official time of 28 hours 25 minutes (despite what the clock shows)! Here’s the tale of the last leg…
Saturday 24 March - Leaving CP6 (Mt Evelyn) at midnight, we arrived at CP7, 3.5 hours later soaked to the skin and very cold. Here we were joined by Kirsty and Mike, who replaced our earlier walking buddies and lifted our spirits no end for the tedious tramp from Woori Yallock to Millgrove. We were also joined by Millie and Janine, the last two remaining members of the MAD AS team whom we had met previously on a training walk, and together we continued on to CP8, the last stop before we tackled the final 9.5kms up and over Mt Little Joe and to the finish line.
This proved to be a challenge we had not imagined. Twelve hours of non-stop rain, with resulting rivers of mud washing down the mountain, and the official word was “The track is passable - at the moment! Take extreme care. Walkers are crossing the line with their backs covered in mud from head to toe.” We soon understood why (taking the easy way we think and sliding down the mountain!). Tracks of oozing mud and clay, ropes to hang on to as we traversed the steep path ahead, and downhill slopes which could well have constituted icy ski runs were our lot on that last leg. Rob, who had slowed his pace through our entire journey to keep ‘down’ with the team, by necessity took this last stretch at a pace that was comfortable, and arrived at the finish 20 minutes before Vanessa and 30 minutes ahead of Lee and Merilyn, the seniors of the team, despite having waited for at least 20 minutes for us to catch up with him on the trail (we suspect had Rob travelled at his own pace for the entire journey he would have been home tucked up in bed at least 3 hours before the rest of us!). Brett, Kirsty and Viv backtracked along varying stages of the trail to meet, encourage and support us on this seemingly endless trudge, when limbs had a mind of their own and did not respond to cerebral direction. Finally, Lee and Merilyn arrived, to rejoin Vanessa and Rob and walk across the finish line together.
Congratulations to the Heat Beads® Hot Shoe Shufflers, congratulations to all our sponsors and supporters who have done so much to help us achieve this success and congratulations to Oxfam for providing us with this challenge which has generated so many positives. This has been a huge undertaking for us all in many ways and we have certainly ‘Committed, Endured and Achieved’. The latest online result with our fundraising is $16,050 and with a number of cheques yet to be presented, we are confident that we will ultimately be able to contribute over $17,000 to the great work of Oxfam. On a personal level each of us has reached a significant goal and from a corporate and business perspective our participation has resulted in great team support and a strong sense of community amongst our employees, clients, and our business partners.
Total to date:
$16050.00
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Posted in Events, Oxfam Trailwalker at 12:53 pm by admin
Despite our moments of doubt, we got over the line. Our official time across the finish at Wesburn Park was 28 hours 25 minutes.
Here’s a summary of our ’shuffle’ from the start to the finish line:
Friday 23 March - As the sun was rising we took our first step on the trail, the warm early morning temperature not boding well for comfortable walking. A total fire ban brought the news that Checkpoint 3 to Checkpoint 4 was closed due to high fire danger, and the 2007 Oxfam Trailwalker was to be officially 88.5kms, not 100kms! For Merilyn (her second year) this was a bitter pill. Last year the trail was closed at the second last checkpoint due to wet and freezing conditions - her goal in 2007 was to get to the very end!!
Through temperatures up to 38 during the day on Friday, bucketing rain Friday night followed by more rain and freezing temperatures on Saturday morning, on and on and on we walked. Blisters, sunburn, heat rash, nappy rash, wonky knees, wet feet, shivering bodies, sleep deprivation - nought could deter us, thanks largely to our group of staunch supporters.
Saint John, aka John Higgs, assisted by Lorraine produced meals, nibbles, dry clothes and a cheery smile at every checkpoint. When we reached the halfway mark we left the trail and retreated to Ian Reynold’s home for a welcome shower, shave and shampoo. Jan from The Art of Life in Glen Iris was on hand to massage and soothe weary and aching muscles with her healing hands, and we were also joined by Nic, Ian, Belinda, Vera and Viv to walk 16.5kms with us through the night and the rain, when we rejoined the walk from Checkpoint 6 at Mt Evelyn, through to Checkpoint 7 at Woori Yallock.
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19.03.07
Posted in Events, Oxfam Trailwalker at 12:50 pm by admin
Only FOUR Days to go… we are into the final countdown! John and Merilyn did a test run on Saturday to make sure The Shufflers will have no trouble meeting up with our ‘lifeline’ Saint John at each checkpoint. After a fairly gentle weekend the plan for the week ahead is plenty of carbs, not too much rigorous exercise, and as much sleep as we can get. We’ll be on the trail by 7am on Friday 23 March and we would love your text messages during our challenge. We are all feeling a little apprehensive and will be very glad when it is this time next week and we can say WE DID IT?!
Total to date:
$14175.00
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13.03.07
Posted in Events, Oxfam Trailwalker at 12:42 pm by admin
Now it’s time for some serious planning! Following a very demanding four hour ramble around the surrounding hills, Vanessa, Lee and Rob were joined at Ranges Cafe in Olinda by Merilyn (who had climbed Mt Dandenong earlier in the morning, and then done a strenuous yoga session) and our legendary support Saint John. Over a scrumptuous ‘Big Breakfast’ our plans were set to keep us on track and moving forward toward achieving our goal of 100kms in 27 hours, in less than 2 weeks now! John will be there for us night and day, plying us with Bloody Marys, Irish Coffee, and even the occasional wee dram - whatever our hearts desire? With such liquid sustenance, hot soup - or, as requested by Rob if it happens to be 39 degrees, gazpacho - pasta and rice dishes, pancakes, cheesey toast and rich fruit cake, we will be in good shape and fine spirits! While the planning is great fun, we just hope our enthusiasm carries us through the next 2 weeks!
Total to date:
$14000.00
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05.03.07
Posted in Events, Oxfam Trailwalker at 12:36 pm by admin
This week the team went solo once more. Vanessa’s feet got a good work out on the dance floor at a close friend’s wedding in Red Hill, Rob’s wife Jenny kept him company as he strode it out from Berwick to Upper Beaconsfield and back, and Lee walked from CP3 - the 1000 steps - back to the the point of capitulation on the 39 degree day, a couple of weeks earlier. On he walked to the Birds Land Reserve before turning back and pushing his way up the steep climb back into Belgrave and on once more to the 1000 steps. According to Lee “That hill is a doozy…!”. Lee also lost his map so if anyone finds it on the way through from Belgrave to Ferntree Gully let us know. Meanwhile, 40 degrees south, Merilyn spent four days trekking on the Tasman Penninsula, soaked to the skin and with very wet feet! No shortage of water down there.
Total to date:
$13850.00
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