Today
(24th May 2014) is a day I will remember forever, for many different
reasons.
A
lot of my life self doubt and anxiety has been a killer, and holding me back
from doing things I wish I could. So today I conquered a dream, and that was to
take to the 1000 steps in Ferntree Gully (Dandenong Ranges.)
When
I stepped foot out my car and reached those Kokoda Track Memorial Gates my mind
took over and I started to not believe in myself. I thought I did not have a
chance in the world at doing this. And what if I got half way or even a quarter
of the way up and I couldn’t take it anymore, I would be stuck up there as
there is only one way down- by foot!
There
is a couple of KM’s of inclined walking before you actually get to the steps,
but the scenery of the forest surrounding you takes your mind off it and you
literally loose track of time and before I knew it we were at the stairs.
I
took with me one of my highschool friends, as I thought it would be a cool
thing to do together and hoping the our chats would take our mind off the
challenge ahead.
I
would not say I am fit as I have only been walking for 2 weeks and about an
hour in total each day. And then of course I am doing my around the home
workouts, so I thought I was going to be queen of struggle town.
At
the base of the steps, I took the time to stretch my legs out. But more then
stretch my legs I think I was mentally preparing and trying to pump myself up
telling me I could do it…
Let
me tell you I surprised myself at how well I actually went!! My highschool
friend was a little unfit (and I don’t blame her, as she hasn’t done exercise
since having her son over a year ago!) In the beginning I would stop with her
and catch my breath, but I could feel my muscles tightening up. So when she
would stop I would run ahead, do about 50 steps and then job back down to her,
by then she was ready to push on.
Feeling the burn, but yet we pushed on through
I
am not sure if I was running on pure adrenaline, or if I actually broke my
mental barrier and my body KNEW this was something I had to do for me- for all
those people that want to see me fail!
This
was us girls after we had finished the 1000 steps, and I cant proudly say not a
drop of sweat dropped from my skin, although I think my top and compression
tights soaked a lot of it up. I was really happy, and feeling on top of the
world- I had accomplished something for me- nobody else.
The amazing Magella Watch
Having
done the 1000 steps in just over 40 minutes- official time in picture, if we weren’t
stuck for time then we would have gone back up them! Unfortunately time was not
on our side, so we couldn’t.
The
steps are also something special to me as my grandfather fought in the war, and
I remember him telling me how bad it was. I couldn’t imagine soldiers trekking
in those muddy, wet conditions day and night, rain, hail or shine. And to boot
they would be carrying guns, a huge backpack and footwear not cut out for the
job, all the while dodging shrapnel. They are true heroes and after today I
have even more respect for them and all they have done!!
I
will be returning to 1000 steps and no matter what I don’t want to stop this
time, and then the next time I want to be able to job both up and down them
instead of just running all the way down to the bottom.
