Veer to the Right

Yes, we did it! What an amazing journey (and we don't just mean walking 100kms). We all had a bad moment at some point during the day but we had such a brilliant support crew who kept us smiling and laughing all the way, we couldn't have done it without them. Here are a few of the highlights:
Start 6:00am - what an unreal feeling to be standing at the start line after the last 6 months training and wondering if we could do it. Some bright spark forgot to turn the sprinklers off in town so a few of us got watered at the beginning. We walked from Taupo town centre out to Craters of the Moon and Huka Falls (we used to think that was a long way!).
Check point one - we arived at 9:27am thinking we had walked 15.1kms (the guy on the microphone kept saying there was only 83kms to go, not what we wanted to hear right then!). We had phoned ahead to the support crew to ask for vegemite sandwiches and apparently there was a major panic, no vegemite! They had to beg, borrow and eventually steal some vegemite to fulfill our order. Debbie had an emotional moment and the rescue remedy was out again along with a few hugs from Penny. From there we were out over farm land and the steepest hill so far!
Check point two - arriving at 12:31pm after walking a total of 28km to Lisa, Saluma and Lara with a picnic lunch, clean socks and back on the trail again. We were expecting to walk for 11.1km - can you imagine how we felt when we found out that this leg of the journey was along a newly opened mountain bike track that was actually 14km and that extra 3km was not being deducted at the end (we said a few swear words at that point). This was one of the hardest legs as we had to walk up, up, up over a ridge and down, down, down into Kinloch Cove. 600metres of the trail was unformed and quite dangerous (exciting stuff really). Debbie managed to steal/borrow a walking pole to steady herself when the owner of the pole took a tumble - nicely done Deb!
Check point three - we arrived here at 16:33 (later than expected due to the extra 3km and unformed trail). Officially we had walked 39.1km, that doesn't include that extra 3 that we won't mention from now on. We were met by Lara who walked us on to the check point where Jean, Saluma and Fran (doing her best Kath n Kim impersonation) seemed to be making more noise than any of the other supporters. We had the gazebo up and a chair for each of us with all our gear within arms reach, no need to get up. Sheila had her first blister, stitched it up and was ready for the next onslaught whilst popping Voltaren for those knees. Deb was suffering from the runs and nausea - a bit of medicine and she was ready to go again. We were served burgers and chop suey to keep us going on the next leg which was the longest of all. Clean clothes, hot flannels (mmmm), clean socks, more tape on our feet and we were off again. I know this was the longest leg (19.4km) but it doesn't stick in my mind as being the hardest, the sun went down, the headlamps came out and we were into the night walk with Saluma along for company, moral support and entertainment (love that beard Saluma!).
Check point four - What a laugh, we arrived at the checkpoint at 22:18 (58.5km done) to see the support crew dressed in white shirts, black ties and Mark holding a tray of wine glasses filled with Powerade - we had arrived at Ristorante Du Veer To Dee Right and waiters with their best french accents. Some of the delights being served were Bean a la Jellie (jelly beans) and Popcantstop a la crunch (pringles), menus and candelight and the support crew freezing their bits off just to look the part! It was cold, it was dark but we had two 7km legs in front of us which didn't seem too bad and after an entertaining stop & warmer clothes we were back on our feet. Debbie was still nauseus & minus one mobile phone at this stage so we were missing out on all those inspiring texts. The cold air was irritating Derek's flu that he was managing to keep at bay so far & Jackie was experiencing sore knees along with Sheila on the downhill legs.
Check point five - Arrived earlier than expected at the Hawaii 5-O checkpoint. Time check 0:48 (total distance walked 65.5km). I think this is where Lisa had the pumpkin soup emergency - we wanted it, they hadn't cooked it (by cooking I mean, opening a tin and heating it). So far no wind or rain even though there were showers and gusting northeasterlies forecast. Dry feet = happy walkers, well apart from blisters, sore knees, sore throats, hacking coughs and nausea!
Check point six - Arrived at 3:21am (72.7km done). The support crew were meant to be abducted by Aliens at this checkpoint but we arrived too early and foiled the abduction. Sheila was feeling the exhaustion at this point and asked if she could sleep and after a 20 minute lie down she was back on her feet and ready to go! This next leg was one of the hardest, thought it would never end even though it was only 14.8km and we had already walked a marathon and a half plus. A few hallucinations starting, people behind us who weren't really there, voices in our heads, bottles of wine hidden under every bush!
Check point seven - 8:11am and 87.5km walked - Mark was standing at the entrance to the check point wearing Jackie's pink dressing gown, a blonde afro wig, carrying teddy and berating us for being out all night! A few more blisters appearing, change of clothes, berry smoothies, hugs and kisses for everyone and we were off on the last leg with Lara and her lollies for company on this leg - we were so close! 12.5km to go. That last 5km was torture - we walked along the lake front and could see the finish for the entire 5km.
The Finish Line - 11:45 - home in time for lunch! What a feeling. It's hard to describe. The Veer to the Right support crew were making so much noise and shedding a few tears - I think they felt every bit of our pain on that journey and they only managed to squeeze in about an hours sleep the whole time. We were presented with medals from one of the guys who came from Papua New Guinea - he had run the 100km in 16 and a half hours, amazing.

So that's it, we walked 100kms in 29 hours and 45 minutes (well, actually 103.3kms), finished as a team, loved the experience and so far we have raised over $3000 for Oxfam. They are still accepting sponsorship so it's not too late if anyone wants to donate a few dollars. Thanks to everyone who sponsored us this far, texted us along the way and sent us positive thoughts through the airwaves.

Support crew took bets on how long it would take before Derek mentioned doing this again next year - officially, 90 minutes (unofficially 10 minutes!).

Fundraising Summary For This Team

We have achieved 134% of our target.

Team Fundraising:

Team details

OTW08_120

Leader: Derek Molloy
Member B: Sheila Berry
Member C: Jackie Hill
Member D: Debbie Smith
Supporter: Saluma Ioane
Supporter: Lisa Vitasovich
Supporter: Lara Mulgrew
Supporter: Mark Hill
Supporter: Fran Molloy

Target Time:
Steady- 24-30 hours

$250 fundraising credit for each verified regular giver your team recruits.
>> click here