2nd training session – Lysterfield Lake to Olinda Reserve – 26 kms

It was pouring before we knew it. By the time we started our car ascend to Olinda our visibility was very limited. Fortunately, we managed to drop the first car in Olinda and then we headed strait to Lysterfield Lake – more than 20kms away. Jane and Angel had no idea what was to come; it was still dark so no one would register anything in particular.

Jane and Angel started their one-way 26kms run/walk just before 6am and, probably 300 metres into our second training session, the misty rain turned heavier. In reality for the next 17 kms it was like that at various times.

Last week we left the story before we could reach the Lysterfield Lake so today we simply started from Checkpoint 2 (to reach Checkpoint 4 – Olinda Reserve) but still did not see the Lake – however we still had the satisfaction that at various times kangaroos kept us company, just like last week.

We run our first three kilometres with such ease since it was relatively flat and the rain manageable. By the time we reached the Birds Land Reserve we were just wet – not in the philosophical sense but in the real sense. There was nothing dry in our bodies. Fortunately there was a shelter and we made a technical stop so we could examine our maps. We continued after a few minutes rest and, at that point in time it did not really matter if we stepped in a paddle – our feet were so wet that we felt we could jump into any of the creeks that were streaming the 36 militres of rain of the past 24 hours. However we had a mission to accomplish for the day, conquer the hardest terrain of the Oxfam Trailwalker Challenge.

When we reached Belgrave, Jane had reminiscences of her Puffing Billy race a few months ago. Seeing Jane so enthused when we crossed the railway track is a reminder that the memory is such in that even in hard conditions like today we still manage to express our fondest recollections of the things that bring us joy.

For the first 14 kilometres we did not see a soul at all. We saw runners when we were resting and having an energy gel in Grants Picnic Ground. After we will runners and walkers intermittently.



By the time we were going through the Sassafras Creek we were feeling confident of our epic, but (as there are always buts in any epic) little did we know that after that the biggest challenge will appear in front of us like many things in life – unexpectedly. Hackets Road appeared after a turn and we had to go up and up and up for what appeared to be an eternity. This is steepest section of all – made worse by the rain and, after a relatively calm sector another steep section emerges in Old Road and Olinda –Monbulk Road… In brief: our hearts pumped so hard for more than kilometre in Hackets Road and again after two kilometres. At one stage, just past the ‘For Evergreen Nursery’ Angel said to Jane the negative thoughts are just there: Angel wanted to quit. Albeit to say, in Jane’s world quitting does not exist.

We are wiser today in that we have to stage our energy depletion and uptake if we wish to walk / run 100 kilometres in April 2008. Today’s photos are a testimony of a huge challenge in adverse conditions.

After 4 hours and 40 minutes and against the elements, Jane and Angel completed their walk. Kate could not keep us company today. Certainly on Christmas day we will eat, drink and be merry like no other day.

We would like to wish you all a very happy festive season. Thank you for your support and words of encouragement.




BTW - the amount of rain for the past three days in the area we covered today exceeded 110mm, according to the park ranger.