So it seems to me that my biggest adventures come out of adversity. It is also true that I love to take on big, audacious goals that make my heart race and my palms sweat!
My Latest challenge is no exception.
From the ashes of my 200-mile dream came another dream, an altogether different one. As I sat with the news that I wouldn’t be running for some time, I drifted to the large map of the South Island on our wall. I love looking at this map and dreaming and scheming.
As I looked at the map, thinking of how in just a day things can change so dramatically, a thought came to me about how I might be able to take on another adventure – one of my own making.
You see, having trained so hard for the 200-mile, getting the diagnosis of the stress-fractures was heartbreaking. But, it also made me think about what I really wanted to achieve and what was really important, and it kept coming back to me that adventure is what really drives and inspires me. Having completed the training to the level I had, I knew I could run 200-miles, and there was something in having that knowledge, that for now made it OK that I might not be able to do it.
So, I looked at the map and asked what else is possible. I started tracing lines through mountains and rivers, ridgelines and peaks, and slowly an excitement started to rise with a new idea. How about I traverse the South Island West-East? And how about following the 45th line of latitude?
The seed was sown and the adventure and planning began.
And here we are, with a plan, a goal and an objective.
Doubt, uncertainty, the thought of ‘Who am I?’ to even consider a trip of such a magnitude. I should leave these kinds of journeys for someone much braver than I.
But, this is my trip, a route I need to take. I’ve come so far, grown so much, but it is time to take the next step. To no longer follow, to take the path less travelled and blaze a trail of my own.
If you’ve been following me for long enough, you’ll know I am a self-professed scaredy-cat! But with this journey, I want to show that there is a place where fear and success can coincide. That it is possible to jump into the unknown and do the thing that scares you most and be empowered by that, all while inspiring others to do the same!
So, if you’ve ever said, I’m not good enough, strong enough, brave enough…enough..this will be a journey for you to follow. And, If you’ve gotten anything out of my journey so far, I’d love it if you could help make this next big dream a reality and share this expedition with me.
We have set up a GiveaLittle page to help with the cost of producing another film. This film will be a follow on from Peak of Possibility and my hope is that this film will touch lives around the world just like Peak has done. This is an audacious goal, a really big one, the logistics, time, gear, it’s going to take a lot, but my hope is that this community, my community, will see the value and get behind it. Whether you contribute or not, I’d love for you to share this adventure with people you think might benefit from following along, and I’ll keep you in the loop of the planning, training, and expedition itself.
