Finished the OXFAM Trailwalker

This next leg was to be the worst; the longest at 14.5klms from Woori Yallock to Millgrove along the flat and monotonous Warby Trail. We’d found the long flat sections the hardest during the training walks, they only worked a subset of the muscles and you had a continuous repetitive motion that strained the legs and feet. The sun was out and it was warm. Matt was great keeping we going and providing moral support. This was really hard work. Somewhere after passing the Launching Place pub (the beer garden looked great) Tony started getting cramping in his legs and stopped for a while with Jules and Simonetta. The rest of us continued the slog through Yarra Junction and out towards Millgrove. There is a section where you can see a few klms ahead and it’s hard to take. We had quite a few short rest stops along the way. It was a great relief to reach the checkpoint.

A few of our families caught up with us at the checkpoint and it was great to see Lisa, Maddie and Jordan. Paul (another brother) and Jane were there also. Paul decided to walk the last leg with us which was nice. Tony went off to see the doc, so the other two teams made a start agreeing to stop before the finish so we could walk in together. After about three more klms along the Warby Trail we circled back and up a steep narrow track up Mt Little Joe. The other team has just left the checkpoint. We continued along the track that contours around the hill and then the steep downhill that seems to go on forever. The two teams got spread out, with Paul and I coming last. I was really struggling with the downhill as it started to jar my knees. It was relief to see the SES folks at the corner indicating the last uphill was upon us. We’d done this hill two weeks ago and had gone the wrong way continuing right to the top making it a killer, but now we knew where the turnoff was and with a few short stops on the way it wasn’t too bad (Ged told me he was expecting it to be easier).

Coming out onto the wide path leading to the finish was quite emotional. I could see the guys down the hill and continued on. We met just past the treeline to stop and wait for the other team. They arrived about an hour later and we crossed the line together at about 7:30 pm, 35 hours after starting. I’d love to say I was on a high at this point, but it was more than a relief than anything. We did the photo’s and hug’s but it was getting cold and everyone was tired and so we soon went our own way. Somewhat of an anti-climax.

I slept the sleep of the dead that night. Lisa said I hadn’t moved all night (surprising for me). It took three goes to get out of bed, the calves not wanting to stretch to allow me to stand. This pattern continued for the rest of the day; sit down for a while and the calves would compress then scream when I got up. I stopped in for the Graduation. Matt and Fiona were there doing the last part of their grading and all credit too them after what they’d been through for the last 48 hours. Today I visited the doc to have a look at my left foot and it looks like there’s some inflammation there that will restrict my activity for a few days. Luckily the calves are loosening up. Hopefully I’ll catch up with the others at training tonight and see how they’re fairing.

So, it’s done. I’m hoping over the next few days the enormity of it will sink in. I doubt I’d ever do it again. It was certainly an experience, and I loved the training walks and the camaraderie, but it’s a pretty harsh thing to put your body though if you don’t genuinely enjoy it.

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