After months of training, and the kids matter of factly observing that I was off for a run/kayak/cycle, we finally headed to NZ for the Kathmandu Coast to Coast- 240km from the wild West Coast of the South Island to Christchurch.
Crossing the finish line at New Brighton in Christchurch was one of those unforgettable moments. It‘s hard to describe the experience of completing the event even now a few weeks on. Lots of superlatives come to mind, but how to capture the impact? The series of events that made it such a special experience.
First and foremost, it was the people who were part of it.
We have some amazing friends and family who were prepared to open their homes to our kids for almost two weeks. And great kids who were happy to do so. Which meant I could share the experience with my husband.
They’d already put up with the many hours of training – although my daughter was happy to leave the kayaking to me after our second experience (that’s a story for another time!).
The response to supporting Cancer Research was immense. So many people have been impacted in different ways but the donations – including all the messages – blew my target out of the water.
Then from the point of touch down, and the almost constant presence of family and friends, I was surrounded by people excited for me and the challenge (well, mum might have been a wee bit nervous about the kayak….).
Sharing a six bed bunk room with said husband, a couple of brothers, sister, and in-law at the top of a ski field mid race is definitely a once in a lifetime event!
Added to that were the messages from family, friends and colleagues back in the U.K., Oz, and the U.S. The ones coming through on my fancy watch at the top of the 16 degree Otira Viaduct slog particularly helpful at getting my legs working again!
I didn’t expect people to be interested in following the little name on the map as I made my way from one side of the country to the other.
It was uplifting, humbling, magic.
Thanks for sharing it with me!
Tough Mother 