Canberra Crawlers: stepping towards better lives
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Last Wednesday evening, I found myself in the middle of a storm, trudging up Mt Majura and Mount Ainslie. It was a 16.5 kilometre, three hour walk that left me tired, cold, and breathless. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.
However, the experience pales in comparison to what the Canberra Crawlers have done – and continue to do. The team, who so kindly invited me along on their walk– includes Rod Vickers, Peter Bell, Skye Cappuccio and Phil Jacobs, who are walking the Oxfam Trailwalker New Zealand 100 km event at Lake Taupō.
The event, described as “the most life changing, team building, foot slogging, friendship forming, group hugging experience ever” will see groups of 4 walking 100km together in the space of 36 hours. Why? To challenge themselves, to challenge poverty, and to raise awareness and money – helping to change the lives of people in need.
This year, the event is extra special, as it marks the 10th anniversary of this incredible challenge. It was originally designed as a military training exercise, “to test teamwork, endurance and determination”.
“It’s a privilege to be a part of something that really makes a difference to people” says Team Captain, Phil Jacobs in the official video from the 2014 event. “That’s really what the community work of Oxfam does. We raise a few bucks, we set a personal challenge, we get all our friends to help us, and it’s awesome”.
Phil completed his first challenge in 2007, after teaming up with a colleague. This year will be his ninth event in 8 years – a huge personal achievement, and in that time, he’s clocked up a huge amount of kilometres – and dollars. His first event was in Sydney, but he fondly recalls his 2010 challenge in Brisbane, saying “it was probably the most fulfilling as it was the toughest and had the greatest emotional impact. I remember crying like a baby when I finished”.
Preparation includes “a LOT of walking and running”, including the massive 16.5 km walk up Mt Majura, Mt Ainslie and back once a week, stepping it up as the event draws closer.
Phil describes the event as “very tough physically and mentally” explaining, “it takes almost everything you have to finish, and sometimes your teammates are banged up with blisters or muscles issues. We’ve helped a few teammates struggle across the line, and left a few behind. Sometimes you have to make the call and leave them behind. That’s hard to do and hard on them accepting that they aren’t going to finish”.
For teammate Peter Bell, that was nearly a reality. Peter has been trailwalking for “all my life really. Lots of holidays in the Lake District in the UK and then living in the Rockies in Canada”.
Peter completed hi first Oxfam event last year. “I was a bit blind to the distance” he says, “I bonked from lack of sugar but got better after a strong cup of tea”. He soldiered on to finish, and enjoyed the experience so much that he’s back for 2015.
“It was all mentally challenging for me. I didn’t get any blisters or chaffing, so physically I was fine after the sugar incident. The reward is forging new friendships and doing something for charity”.
Phil agrees that mental strength plays a core role in completing the challenge. “I’ve heard it said that completing Oxfam takes three parts – one third is training, one third is heart – dogged determination, persistence, and basically ignoring the pain – and one third is mental. Typically the last 20km or so you are tired, sore, and have had enough. You just have to find a way to get it done”.
That’s not to say it’s all painful. “It’s very cool” Phil says, “we get to do the event, meet and chat to a lot of the Kiwis out on the trail over the 24 hours or so that we’re out there. And we get to see the Taupo region in the best possible way… walking! The scenery is magnificent, and the best part is that after we’re done, we get to soak our bodies in the hot springs”.
Having now spent time with the team, I can tell that they have a strong bond and will put together to finish the event. There’s a big sense of camaraderie and the team have a lot of fun, giving each other nicknames like “Blisters”, “Casper”, “Yoda”, and “Pommie”.
“There’s no feeling like seeing the finish line and knowing that you are going to make it”, says Phil.
The team has a fundraising target of $3500. If you’d like to get behind the Canberra Crawlers and help them get there, visit their team page on the Oxfam Trailwalker NZ Website.
FUNC Fitness are also supporting the team as part of their fourth Birthday Party. The event will feature workouts, demonstrations, fun for the kids and a birthday cake bake off! Make sure you get down to Ronds Terrace on Saturday 14 February at 9:30am (really, is there a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?) to be part of this awesome event and help the Canberra Crawlers reach their fundraising goal.
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