John's Big Walk - 100km Trailwalker!!!

Arrived back in Auckland from Rotorua with just enought time to unpack, do the washing and then repack to set off early Friday morning for Lake Taupo where the Oxfam 100 km Trailwalker was taking place. Blake & Jonno had the day off work so they could be part of the support team which was just fantastic. Jonno's Mum and Dad were also coming down for the weekend to help out, so John had quite a fan club ready to urge him on.

We were staying in a wonderful 5 b/r house with an amazing view over Lake Taupo. In total there were 13 of us staying in the house (although the 4 walkers didn't really get to spend much time there). The walking team consisted of John, Terri & Philip (husband & wife) and Steve. The support team consisted of Jan (+ her 7 yr old son Nikolai), Pauline, Fiona (Steve's wife), Ann & Bernie, Blake & Jonno and myself. Jan had orginally wanted to walk in the team however an operation put her out of contention so she, with her friend Pauline, decided to leave their husbands home alone and come to Taupo from Wellington to help in the support team. Thanks so much Jan - particularly for organising the wonderful accommodation.

Friday night was the first time all of us had any time together and spent the evening getting to know each other and familiarising ourselves with the map showing the route and the checkpoints etc and working out what the walkers would need at each stop - food, clothes, massages etc.

Next morning everyone was up at 5am and at the start line by 5.30am for a 6am start. For the next 21hrs 30mins John, Terri, Philip and Steve walked their little legs off and the rest of us drove between the house, where we prepared food, organised drinks, hot water for foot soaking and anything else that was needed, to the various checkpoints where we had everything set up before they arrived so they could do what they had to do and then move on as quickly as they could. It was a polished and well organised operation and the pit stops were exceptionally productive - in fact our team was the envy of many who looked on in awe at our amazingly well-oiled and efficient service! We carried hot soapy water for soaking weary feet, we gave leg massages and offered loads of encouragement, reassurance and plenty of pats of the back.

The team crossed the finish line at 3.30am in 20th position out of 241 teams that completed - they were awesome! We were just so proud of their effort - of course the marvelous support team takes a lot of the credit 'cos we were awesome as well - especially in our tinsel wigs!!!

We all fell into bed for a couple of hours then over breakfast we listened to lots of 'walk stories' and watched the heroes compare blisters (Steve won!) All too soon it was time for final farewells to all our new friends. It was an amazing weekend - particularly as most of us hadn't even met before and the 4 walkers had never walked together - but being involved in such a great event seemed to bond us very quickly and it felt like we had all known each other for a long time.

Blake was so motivated by the whole event that she has now started training to participate in next year's walk - of course John is ecstatic for the opportunity of walking with his daughter and they are both suggesting that Josh and I make up the remainder of the team!!! Stay tuned........

(the following day John's ankle was very swollen. Jonno took him to the local medical centre who diagnosed a sprain and prescribed lots of ice, rest and tlc - and we thought the support team had finished their duties!!)