We made it -- 100kms!!

THANK YOU all so very much for your awesome contributions in supporting us to do the Oxfam Trailwalker. We're so happy to report that we actually MADE ITTO THE END!!

But indeed, the 100km proved to be a pretty epic adventure...

I mean, we felt every single kilometre by the end of it. For me, it was something like, "walk till you can walk no longer...and then keep walking for about 60Ks." haha. The fact was there were many, many mountains to CLIMB (and descend) so it ended up being something of a psychological game of just keeping it all together.

Fortunately, our team of four (2 couples) comprised some very positive and spirited members, and the boys (Ben and Phil) both provided excellent support to us girlies Nicola and myself who had a tendency to moan and whimper that it was all a bit too bloody much - especially after the first 18hrs of solid hiking! And yes - I actually do admit to bursting into an emotional teary mess at about the 80km mark. BUt no, Ben didn't have to carry me at any point along the way. :))

We finished up the 100ks in around 39hrs with just 3 hrs sleep along the way...so by the time Saturday night rolled around we were in a state of exhausted ecstasy! Blisters, swollen ankles, mozzie bites, sunburn, chafing(!), and peg legs aside -- we were all in pretty decent shape as the smiles on our face can testify (see before and after pics!).

Ironically, we all missed the train on the Friday morning and rocked up to the starting line (via taxi from the train station b/c we were running so late!) just as the gun went off. While we were the last team to register, I think we finished up around half way down the 170 or so teams that participated. Basically, we were just so stoked to have actually made it to the end:)

Anyway -- have uploaded some more shots onto my happy-snappy gallery, so please check them out if you have time. www.flickr.com/photos/johdublog

We definitely recommend the experience: not sure if it's once in a lifetime or not...we might just be back for more and give the Oxfam NZ or Australia Trailwalkers a go next year!? You perhaps interested..? [Good luck to Tris and Sprotty for the Sydney Trailwalker!!]

Thank you once again for your terrific support. We raised well over our target -- I think close to A$4000 in total! (www.trailwalker.jp for info on how the money will be spent).

Calling for Support for Oxfam Trailwalker 100km

http://www.justgiving.com/johben100km

Dear Family and Friends!

Ben and Joh are taking part in the Oxfam Japan TRAILWALKER 2007.

The challenge is to complete a 100km trail across the mountains of southern Japan in 48 hours as a team of four (including our friends Nikki & Phil). We’ve got to start together, stick together and finish together.

Besides being physically demanding, Oxfam TRAILWALKER is also a fundraising challenge. Each team commits to raising at least 120,000 JPY (A$1200 or GBP 500 ) to help overcome poverty and suffering around the world.

For more information about Oxfam Japan’s poverty alleviation projects, please see http://english.oxfam.jp/emergency.html

We've been training really hard, and going on hikes at every available opportunity. Although it's going to be damn tough - perhaps the hardest thing we've ever done in our lives -- we're feeling pretty positive that we can do it:)

Many thanks in advance for your kind support!
Joh & Ben

  
BEN KEMP is from Taupo, New Zealand.
Once a relatively sporting soul, sadly that has all gone to custard.
These days, he jogs and plays a lot of guitar, but uses the expression
it's whats on the inside that counts as his crutch.
The 100kms will be a stiff challenge, but Ben will always be an optimist!

JOHANNA STRATTON is from Dubbo, Australia which is a very flat part of the
world. She has not climbed that many mountains in her 29 year old life, but
does have good memories of climbing Mt Fuji, not once but twice! She likes
to think she is much fitter than what she really is but her heart is in
the right place so surely that will get her to the end of this very long
100km trail!