47: 1000 Steps

Every journey of 1000 steps starts with a first...

The 1000 steps holds a special place in my heart because it stands at the entrance to one of my favourite destinations in Melbourne – the Dandenong Ranges. Every time a friend visits me from overseas or interstate I take them there. I have been to Ricket’s point over 10 times and each time I feel more connected to Australia and my heritage. I have completed the 1000 steps a number of times before, but only up and down. To do it three times in a row was going to be tough.

Planning out when to complete each Challenge is a challenge within itself, but for this one I knew that the perfect time was after completing the Routeburn Trek. In late March I hiked 70km in 5 days in New Zealand to raise money for the LifeChanger Foundation. It was an incredible experience and one that I will never forget. Because of the rain we only started hiking on our 3rd day, but it also mean that we had to make up some time. Each of the next 3 days we walked 22km in 8 hours to reach our final destination. So I knew that upon returning to Melbourne the 1000 steps would be a breeze in comparison.

Dad joined me for this Challenge and I lost track of him by the the second lap. At the top I waited for 10 minutes before seeing him panting and exhausted with his shirt soaked in sweat turning the final corner. By the third lap my hamstrings were starting to tighten and my breathing getting shorter. It was a challenge but I made it to the top all the same. It took us roughly two and a half hours to complete the Challenge, I probably could have done a few more laps, but Dad had to make it home for my brother’s soccer game. Anyway, a fun little challenge that got me exercising outside in the fresh cool air of my favourite destination in Melbourne.