The Stationers

Veronica:
Determination, hard work and the desire to succeed - and enough enthusiasm to get our whole team through! :-)  Feeling so excited about this event.

Veronica is a mild-mannered, non-threatening lady, until without warning she drops into a sprint and leaves you for dust! With legs destined for speed, this endurance event will be hard slog for her.  But she is determined to succeed, and able to walk amazing distances on energy from nowhere, somehow arriving at the end of our training walks without the pain that accompanies Pete at least...

Pete:
First time Trailwalker... Courage, enthusiasm... beginner's luck!

This man has a heart of gold, determination and stamina that meets no other and cannot resist a "dare"...  He is the only "gym bunny" among us and the sweetest man I know.  If anyone will make it - Pete will, but not without his team mates along side.  You *will* do it and I'll be right by your side, every step of the way.  Go Pete!  What a great challenge and cause.  This is going to be such a great event and I'm thrilled to be joining you in this life changing challenge.  (Your loving partner, Veronica).

Trish:

Proud to support Oxfam and determined to make it.

Trish was jealous when husband Kevin did this walk two years ago and is now determined to match his achievement.  Definitely NOT built for speed but picks up fitness quickly during training.  Before kids she was also a sea kayaker, skier and caver.  Strong points are doggedness and extreme fear of letting down a team.  Sees herself as the weakest link but this is a great motivator.  Oxfam is a fantastic cause and one that she is proud to support.

Kevin:

Kevin is never as happy as when he is in the outdoors.  A keen caver, sea kayaker and skier, Kevin rides a bike to work and is always planning the next trip.  The trips are often for children these days because he now has three and they like to be included.  Our training walks are not kid friendly, however - much to the disappointment of at least one child.  Second time trail walker but it's still a daunting task as it is a long way for older joints.

TRAINING DIARY:

20/12/08 - Pete & Veronica on first training walk covering 10km in 2 hrs.  V's place (Mt Eden) to Mt Eden summit and back (twice) via longest route!

21/12/08 - Pete & Veronica walk from Avondale to Titirangi (14km in 2 hrs 20mins).  Averaging 6km an hour - good pace but hard work "pounding the pavements" - need to get off-road!

07/01/09 - First whole team training walk.  Five peaks around Auckland (6pm - 9.20pm) km unknown.  Great walk - good team bonding :-) 

11/01/09 - Whole team training (2pm - 6pm: 4 hrs).  Montana Heritage Trail + added extension (Waitakere Ranges).  Challenging tramping in the bush for some of us - those not so used to *tramping*! (approx 10 kms or more).

14/01/09 - Pete & Veronica walk out to Titirangi, and then some, again from Avondale (3 hrs: 18km covered).

17/01/09 - Pete & Veronica training (5pm - 8.15pm) 3hrs 15mins :-)  V's place (Mt Eden) to Mt Eden summit -> Domain -> Newmarket park -> Mt Eden summit -> V's place.

18/01/09 - Longest training yet... Pete & Veronica: 7 1/2hrs!!!!  Devonport heading North up the coast (when tides allowed); road (when they did not); rocks + sand.  Rain for the first few hours then sunshine the remainder of the time!  Distance in kms uncertain but most challenging time-wise to date!!  And only one blister for us each to be had :-)

21/01/09 - Pete & Veronica *mini* training walk along Whatipu Beach for one hour  (it all helps)!

25/01/09 - Trish, Kevin & Veronica - Waitakere ranges "dam" walk... beginning at Huia and encompassing Lower Huia Reservoir/Upper Huia Reservoir and Upper Nihotupu Reservoir during our challenging 8 & 3/4 hrs tramp!  Great tramp - longest yet :-)

01/02/09 - Trish & Veronica began the day at Trish & Kevin's house in Epsom at 6.30am walking the local AK peaks for 5 hrs before Pete joined them and all three finishing up at around 2.30pm (8 hrs walking for the "girls").  Slight drizzle provided light relief from the heat of the morning but unfortunately making way for wet shoes/socks and feet, which did them no favours considering blisters and chaffing later to be revealed! 

04/02/09 - Pete & Veronica 2 hrs walking - up and back Mt Eden summit twice (via different routes).

06/02/09 -  Pete & Veronica (Waitangi Day) Coast to Coast walk RETURN!  AK Central (Princes Wharf) ---> Onehunga (Manukau Harbour) 16km (x2) in 8 hrs!  Great walk except for new shoes for Veronica that produced amazing blisters on both heals of her feet - not a pretty sight!!! :-(

08/02/09 - Full team training walk - Trish, Kevin, Veronica & Pete.  Trish & Kevin's place in Epsom to Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve via Mangere Mountain (beginning at 6am followed by7 hours walking)!  Stepped up the pace and made great time but every step a painful one for Veronica who was nursing no less than FIVE blisters.... two being too large to mention....  A few rest days needed to mend before the next walk :-(  Hard work but enjoyed by all.  Estimated 30-35km covered.

Apologies to everyone who may (or may not) have been checking in regularly to our team web page to read our training s. 

The truth is I dropped the ball, as far as keeping up with our training diary - too busy trying to juggle life, organise sponsorship AND train!  Yes, we have all been training hard, even though our diary (above) seems to suggest we stopped in early February...  I assure you this is far from the truth.

And now, as we are almost at the eve of the Trailwalker Event, I would like to thank all our families, friends and sponsors who have supported, encouraged and donated!  It is not too late however, if anyone else would care to make a donation.  This is an awesome cause and if we can raise as much money as possible it makes the challenge even more worthwhile. 

================================================================================================

WOW - what a challenge that was for us all, some more than others!  "The Stationers" made it to the finish line, with ALL four members, with an official time of 5:49:17 on Sunday morning, after having left the start line at 6am the previous morning!  Completing the trailwalk in just under 24 hrs!!!!  Yay :-) 

Listed in the "Official 2009 Oxfam results" were 282 teams.  Of which....

** 78 teams finished with fewer than 4 members!

**   8 teams "retired" - ie didn't want to/or couldn't continue (at or before checkpoint 6, some as early as checkpoint 2)!

**   5 teams "did not start" !!!

"The Stationers" showing at number 80 across the line!  With 202 teams behind us - still pounding away!  We were all pretty pleased with our achievement and time, although (next time....!!!) we will try for an even better time... if there IS a next time!!    :-)

It has been such a wonderful experience to be able to partake in such a great event and to have raised so much money for such a good cause.  Thank you again to all who have supported us, in so many different ways. 

Fundraising Summary For This Team

We have achieved 113% of our target.

Team Fundraising:

Team details

OTW09_160

Leader: Veronica Mc Neil
Member B: Pete Mayes
Member C: Trish Brothers
Member D: Kevin Jose

Target Time:
Steady- 24-30 hours

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