I’m taking on the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert Challenge for Youngcare
Doing hard things for a good reason.
I’ve signed up to take on the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert Challenge for Youngcare – nine days, 230+km trekking through the Simpson Desert.
Why? Well, partly because I’m 50+, fit, strong and still able to say yes to amazing, worthwhile challenges - and I don’t want to take that for granted.
I can choose to do something hard. I can train for it, get uncomfortable, be hot, tired and sore, probably complain occasionally and at the end of nine days, I get to come home.
For young people living with complex and permanent physical disabilities, some of the challenges they face every day aren’t a choice, and they don’t have a finish line.
Youngcare is about giving young people with physical disabilities something most of us probably don’t think twice about – choice. Choice about where they live, who they live with and how they live their lives. Along with appropriate housing, equipment and support that can make an enormous difference to everyday life.
So rather than just making a donation myself, I wanted to do something more.
Something that challenges me, that gets other people involved and hopefully something that raises a really worthwhile amount of money along the way.
Between now and the desert there’ll be plenty of sand training, hiking and running, fundraising, sausage sizzling and probably a few other ideas I haven't thought of yet.
And I’ll be asking for your help!
If you can donate – big or small – thank you. If you can come along to one of my fundraising events, even better. If you can also share my page and help me get the word out, I would be very grateful.
I’m fortunate enough to be able to take on something like this, and I’d love to have you along for the ride.
My Updates
Soft Sand walking has begun!
Friday 6th Nov
Soft Sand and Big Plans!
The desert training is slowly getting serious…
This morning's little adventure involved 2 hours and 20 minutes, 8.72 km all on soft sand!
From Moffat Beach to Currimundi and back, with a few laps around Currimundi Lake and Moffat Lake and some lovely hilly beach exits thrown in for good measure. Because apparently walking on flat, firm ground is just not allowed these days! 😂
And just to make sure the legs knew we'd been working, I finished off with some calf raises. You're welcome, calves!
It's all part of building a solid fitness base before the training really ramps up in January, when the weighted pack comes out and the kilometres start adding up.
With 230+ km of Simpson Desert sand waiting for me in May 2027, I'm hoping all of these little sessions will eventually pay off. One sandy step at a time!
And I even found a little reminder along the way…
"Don't worry, be happy!" 😊
Still a good idea? Absolutely! 💪🏜️
I'm taking on the Simpson Desert Challenge to raise funds for Youngcare. If you'd like to support the adventure and a pretty wonderful cause, every donation is hugely appreciated!
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Getting stronger for the sand!
Tuesday 20th Oct
Another challenge ticked off in preparation for the Simpson Desert trek!
This time it was Deadly Dozen in Hervey Bay – a seriously tough strength and endurance competition that we managed to complete in under 43 minutes! And let me tell you, my glutes have NEVER been so sore! 😂
It was hard work, but the encouragement and support from our awesome UBX Caloundra crew definitely got me through. Nothing like a great team cheering you on when your muscles are screaming!
I'm hoping all this strength training is going to save my bacon when I'm trudging through 230+ kilometres of soft Simpson Desert sand! Strong legs, glutes and core are going to be pretty important when every step takes that little bit more effort.
So, while lifting weights and pushing through fitness challenges might seem a little different to desert trekking, it's all part of the preparation.
Here's hoping my glutes forgive me before the next challenge! 😂
One step (and one squat!) closer to the Simpson Desert!
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