Chasing The Sun

05/12/2016

After years of dreaming, saving, planning and sacrificing, you would of thought that living your dream would hold no barriers. It was never going to be easy. Not many people think about crossing Australia. Even less give it a go. I have experienced the ultimate of highs, overcome mighty high and long hills, met the most beautiful people, backed up by a country that has a landscape that really is awe inspiring.

I have a real desire in life to help others. It may come with crazy ideas, but that’s a part of who I am. I would rather try and find out if it’s possible than not try at all. I immigrated to Australia after never leaving Europe.

I found my breaking point during what I wanted to achieve. Being around people is what makes me tick. It’s what makes me happy. It’s hard to put into words what my 500Ks felt like. What you see. What you experience. What goes through your head. What the daily routine is. So much of it isn’t what I expected and would be hard to verbalise. You can adapt and embrace lots of it. But if your head isn’t capable of not just churning out the Kms day after day, but ensuring you’re set up and body isn’t slowly being depleted and dealing with brain miles through thinking - you’re never going to achieve what’s in front of you.

Call it what you want and unfortunately feel what you need. I’m not sorry for giving a go and trying to reach the potential of what I saw in the run, but I am sorry to friends that have helped and encouraged me. I tried and wished it was more. I had a daily battle that I couldn’t continue with. The battle was being on my own. I haven’t stopped wanting to cross Australia, I just know that this way isn’t what works for me.

I visualised getting half way, and the biggest incentive – seeing friends in Perth. It wasn’t enough to pull/push me across the Nullabor.

Thank you to all those that sent me positive messages and thoughts during the run. They honestly got me through so many Kms. To those that put so much effort in behind the scenes and to friends who received the daily vent of whinging. It worked, but battle was to be lost within me.

Thank you for being on this journey

30/11/2016

My small steps. This is the bigger picture :(

This year we’ve helped 10,000 children in emergency accommodation by providing them a Buddy Bag: a backpack full of basic, essential items that helps to restore a sense of safety and security during this time of trauma.

Sadly, during the festive season, the demand for emergency support programs doesn’t stop.

We send out Buddy Bags to babies as little as size ‘0000’.

This week we are onsite at NAB 700 Bourke Street spreading this message.

Any donation made this festive season will go toward the cost of the items included in Buddy Bags.

Help us help more children in need today. Visit us at NAB or donate at www.amf.org.au/donate

27/11/2016

Do I have time to be horsing around?

Naaaaaaa

17Kms down, 22K to go. Campsite tonight. I can't wait to get a shower!! No hoofing around.

27/11/2016

One thing that you don't want is a puncture. The second thing that you don't want is a puncture on a hill. The third thing that you don't want is a puncture on a hill on the highway. I shouldn't complain. It's the first one.

I've pulled over for food and to dodge the sun. 4 hours of light left. 1 hour here. 2 running, then an hour to set up camp.

For those that have never met me - I don't always look like this!

The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation (ALNF)

Alannah & Madeline Foundation

25/11/2016

It's time to say goodbye to Melbourne .... again! Coming back to resit the exam - best decision yet!

I owe so much, to so many. It's been hard/weird leaving what was/is a routine/dream after only a few weeks.

I know this won't be everyones cup of tea, but go to 3:46 mins

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWh8IrOGaYY

I get so much energy from my family and friends (and music). It what keeps me going day after day. In my head, I'm back in my youth, on the dance floor having the time of my life. The main difference now is that I'm moving forwards instead of dancing.

Alannah & Madeline Foundation and The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation (ALNF)

13/11/2016

Which way would you go when you are given a choice? Left or right? Going off the amount of time I spent on the phone last Thursday, I'd say I went the "right" way.

I failed my maths exam. After 3 years of Uni, it was the first time I had to deal with failing a unit. BUT, I was given a life line. A supplementary exam back in Melbourne.

Do I run or do I make both work? I found somewhere safe to store my buggy. I spent 7 hours getting back to Melbourne, now preparing myself to study like I've never studied before, pass the exam (and unit) and return to where I stopped! I'm not here to break any records.

My objective is to reach Perth. If that means going back to reality and sitting an exam, then that will be a part of my story. In my head, it's a bit like doing an Ironman. But doing the swim one day, then deciding to ride and run the next. This isn't a race through, and a part of me has to put graduating first. I am not broken. I have had many battles in just getting this far. What has challenged me mentally and the words of advice and encouragement has changed me and has made me stronger.

I looked for reasons to stop every day, but always kept going. I whinged every day, but kept going. It was only the decision over coming back that broke me. I was on the side of the highway crying, feeling as it I had made so many mistakes and my life was out of control. What was I doing in the middle of nowhere with this going on? I didn't expect to fail my exam for starters, but I need to accept that I put myself there.

I can't have my final semester with an extra 10 weeks of work when I can sit a short exam now. I'll have placement and I'll be looking for work at the same time. Ten days from now and I'll be running again.

Life isn't a script, you just need to do what you need to do.

09/11/2016

Time for the Corson Report
Short blog tonight. For those of you who may not have heard the news coming out of USA, the expected winner didn't, and the unexpected did. Make sense? Our household is fairly reeling with the news, 14 year old son has taken the typically contrary view that this is somehow a good thing. For who, or whom is unclear. Kids ey?

Meanwhile Marc is making steady progress through western New South Wales. Slowed up a little bit after the push to get to Yass, he has had a short day today and now finds himself in Gundagai. For those of you outside of Australia, there is a famous statue of a dog on a tucker box (tucker box basically being a food box). A very interesting back story on the fable that is the dog. More info can be found at http://www.thedogonthetuckerbox.com/ Gundagai is believed to be from the aboriginal native Gundabandoo- bingee, cut by tomahawk to the back of the knee.

The good news for Marc is the climbing has passed, for the most part. There will be other places with hills/undulations. But from here on, it is pancake flat, essential when pushing a cart, as well as propelling your body along. Now, into week 2, the euphoria of the build up and getting through the first days will be fading, and the real mind games will start. We all need to keep the messages of support going, as well as spreading the news.
Quick stats (Up to Monday);
334 kilometres,
56 hours and 50 minutes, and
11000 claories
And no real sunburn, yet…. Going to get mighty hot before it cools down again.

Oh and Marc, with the rise of Trump in the East, keep travelling West my friend! :D
Check in again on Sunday.

Please spread the news about where donations can be made. Les.
Donations can be made through the following pages;
& Madeline Foundation and
Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation (ALNF)

www.chuffed.org/project/chasingthesun
www.chasingthesun.run

07/11/2016

I've started to notice that more and more trucks are honking their horn at me! I've been on the Hume Hwy for a good 100miles now.

I had 2 options today. 30K or 51K. I pushed for 51 as it got me to Coolac. I got chatting to the regulars outside the hotel and they tell me that I'm all over the CB radio. These guys have been passing me every day and they can't believe how far I've got from when they saw me last! I'm the talk of the truckies! I love this for one reason - they now know that I'm on the road. That honk is acknowledgment.

I've had nothing but love from everyone. The back end of my days are hard. Especially when I have no where to stop or pick up extra food. 41Ks into today and I was ready to stop. 50Ks off whatever you're carrying is hard. The flies are eating away at me too. I think 40Ks is a manageable day. 50 is too much unless I pass somewhere to pick up a decent intake of solid food.

It hit 39oC, pretty much stayed in the 30s all day. It's good to get a few of these under my belt as it's only going to get worse!!! Today was an eye opener with the heat though. Bush fires are creeping into NSW - I just need to dodge them!

My left shin is still dodgy going down hills. Once I stop, I'm resting and neurofen'ing the hell out of it. Just need to stay positive!

The people at the hotel that I'm at are so nice! Bought me 2 coldies, then let me have lamb dinner with the family!!

M, x

07/11/2016

It is hot. My Garmin is reading 33oC. So when people pull over to give you water 👊🏼

06/11/2016

A bit of a happy stretch!

I want to be in Wagga Wagga by the end of Wednesday. That will put me over 500Kms in, and a 1/3 of the way to Port Augusta! It's starting to feel realistic \o/

06/11/2016

Time for the Corson Report
Sunday, 6th November. Today, Marc has travelled from Yass (Aboriginal name "Yarrh" ,or "Yharr", said to mean 'running water'), and is now in the vicinty of Bookham. I briefly spoke to Marc on Saturday evening. Well, when I said spoke, considering he had 1 bar of reception on his phone, and I live in a potential mobile blackspot, the resultant conversation was like a Russian trying to converse with a child in Swahili! Between his Vodafone coverage, and my country Optus coverage, we figured 21st century technology was going to be a stumbling block. So, resort to text it was…
Mentally he is fine., up for the challenge. Physically he is already showing some signs of disrepair/frailty. But that is to be expected on a trip of this distance. Basically, swelling on lower limbs caused by overuse. Yep, heard that correctly! If it wasn't so serious, it would be ironic. It has eased every day, Marc is managing it, and we discussed the need and use of kinesiology tape to assist, not just in the short term, but for the length of the trip.
Over the last 8 days he has racked up the following stats;
Kilometres: 284,
Time: 48 hours,
Elevation gain: 3552 metres,
Average speed: 5.9km/h (10 min/km), and
Calories: 9593.
These figures may seem a little bit overwhelming, packaged effectively in a dot point format. Maybe a bit of detail? 48 hours represents 2 days in total, but in reality 6 hours every day. 284 kms is just short of Liverpool from London, and 5.9km/h is walking pace of the average adult.
Calories is easy, 9593 is amazingly ONLY 10 packets of Tim Tams! Granted Marc is at rest
for the other 18 hours a day, or at light activity, but considering the ease with which I and fellow ultra runners can plough through a pack of Arnotts finest, that is a staggering lot of calories packed into a sweet and delicious chocolate coated biscuit….
Next Sunday, I might just use a different food group metric to quantify energy burnt.
So far, so good.

As always donations can be made through the following pages;
& Madeline Foundation and
Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation (ALNF)

If you haven't already done so, jump onto these pages to get background, and details.
www.chuffed.org/project/chasingthesun
www.chasingthesun.run

03/11/2016

I may not be in Melbourne, but Melbourne has come to meeeeee!! Coffee and breakfast - simple pleasures.

It didn't rain last night, but it was cold. The condensation in my swag meant that I woke up quite damp and with not much sleep due to the passing trucks - upside down smiley face. I spoke to Mannix and Simon briefly, re-processed the comments and messages that people sent me yesterday and I was quite chirpy again. My shin is swollen. Flash backs to the Albany run that I did a few years ago. I just have to really focus on foot placement and I'll be ok. All these little problems are going to increase and get worse. It's how I manage them and deal with them mentally.

I am happier right now. I'll be in Yass around 1:30 and I'll have a solid 24 hours rest.