I’m not a fast walker, but I do love the feeling of one foot in front of the other, exploring new places at my own pace, and savouring the fresh air.

Early last year I took part in a charity walk — The Bloody Long Walk. It’s a 35km challenge to cure Mito. I figured, I walk every day, so why not put my walking to good use and raise some much-needed funds for charity?

Mito is short for Mitochondrial disease. It’s a debilitating genetic disorder that robs the body’s cells of energy, causing multiple organs to become dysfunctional or fail.

Learn More HERE

The Bloody Long Walk is a challenge where we walk 35km (in one day) and ask for donations to go towards a cure for Mito.

I’d taken part in a walk before Covid, and it was tough. It was made easier as I had a very encouraging walking buddy. Sadly, she was unable to join me this year so I decided to go it alone.

Honestly, I didn’t think I would finish but I went ahead anyway. I mean, I had raised more than $200 in donations, and I couldn’t quit before I started.

I’d somehow managed to hurt my knee. It felt like I’d twisted it and it was a tad swollen. I was so disappointed thinking I’d have to pull out of the walk. But, after spending the evening on the couch of my hotel room, with an ice pack on my knee, I woke up feeling perfectly fine.

My knee was okay. Phew!

I’d travelled to Brisbane the day before so that I could get to the start line with plenty of sleep behind me. I’d checked into a lovely hotel and enjoyed the 40% saving on the room via my staff discount (courtesy of my dream job).

The bus was leaving from nearby an hour before my wave (start) time, so I knew I would turn up fresh and prepared.

Sadly, our bus driver got lost, so everyone on the bus missed their start time. But, once we arrived at the start line, we were raring to go.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first few hours. We walked through beautiful wetlands where we saw so much birdlife. From there we walked via some luxury homes and then along the lovely Brisbane River.

At around the 15km mark, I had to stop to tape up a couple of toes. I didn’t have any blisters but I had some hot spots that would develop into blisters if I didn’t do something about them.

It was a wonderful feeling to finally see the Brisbane River. It felt like I was on the home stretch, but to be honest, I still had about 10km to go.

Stopping for a lunch break was necessary but it made it more difficult to get going again. I kicked off my shoes and gave my toes a break, lay back on the grass, and watched the clouds float by. I enjoyed a ham and cheese roll that I’d made that morning and a banana supplied by the fabulous volunteers.

With only 2km to go, I had to change my shoes. I usually like to walk in a pair of Teva sandals, so had them as backup, connected to my back via a carabiner. The relief was enormous.

I finally managed to finish my walk in a little less than 7 hours. My legs were sore, my feet were sore and my big toenails were painful.

Rather than walk back to my accommodation, I booked an Uber. Once back at my hotel, I hobbled into my room, showered, grabbed a bite and literally crashed. I slept very well.

In the later weeks, I developed two black toenails! It seems that my shoes were a little too tight in the toe box on the downhills. Lesson learned for next time.

Unfortunately, I am unable to take part in The Bloody Long Walk this year as I will be enjoying an overseas holiday in Italy. But, I will be back next year, possibly walking a different route.

If you’re located in Australia, love walking and want to do your part for charity, sign up for The Bloody Long Walk today!

Take a look at my journey below by clicking on the pic.