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Rach

I'm walking in solidarity with everyone affected by mental illness and suicide: those living with mental illness, their family, friends, coworkers and community. We don't have to walk this journey alone, and we will support each other, every step of the way. From someone living with mental illness, and all those who walk beside me.

Total Raised

$424

Total Distance

88km

Distance Goal

100km

Support My Walk for Mental Health Research

Did you know that 1 in 5 Australians experience symptoms of mental illness each year?

This October, I’m taking part in One Foot Forward to help Australians impacted by mental illness and suicide.

I'm walking to raise funds for Black Dog Institute to put ground-breaking new mental health treatment, education, and digital services into the hands of the people who need them most.

It would mean so much to me if you donated to support my walk.

Together, we can create better mental health for all Australians.

My Updates

Day 14 - weather change

Starting to notice the difference in distances I can walk before the pain starts to take over. Im getting there.

Day 12 & 13 - forced day of rest then back at it

I guess I did need a rest day, my body decided to floor me with a migraine yesterday, so dark room, and trying to sleep was the goal. Today Im back, and ahead of my target pace!

Day 11 - rest day.. or not so much day, i guess

I keep getting told I need to do rest days, so lower km days will be mixed in with the days where I push myself. The goal is to keep at, or above, my original target of 3.4kms/day. I can say I've done that today without pushing too much.

Day 10 - 40kms down!!!

After a rocky start I wasn't expecting to catch up this quickly, let alone get ahead of my target. 40kms down!!!!! II won't give up, I'll keep pushing. As long as I ignore that ass of an inner critic, I'll know I've done my best, no matter the outcome.

Day 9 - extra steps and playing arts and crafts with kinesiology tape

Day 9 and going well. Managing to get the extra kms in, although using nearly a full roll of it tape to hold me together lol

Day 8 - and i'm back!!

Ive been working hard to make up missed kms, and today its paid off. End of day 8 and Im at my target, well a touch in front, but I'm calling it even. Woohoo!!!

Day 6 & 7 - when you think you have it all planned out

Yesterday did not go to plan. Get up, do a walk, go to the fort, home by 1 for another walk and a 3rd before dinner. 3 smaller walks spread out to help me catch back up. instead my ketamine session was moved from Thursday to Tuesday at 1, ok I can do that....Yeah, dont do a ketamine session when you haven't properly put yourself in the right frame of mind.I get home exhausted, fed pizza by my house mate, and next thing I remember is one of the cats smacking me over the face at around 10pm....they like their snuggles in bed. Still a bit off this morning so no walk, and uber to the fort, but back home this afternoon to kick some ass. 5kms!! I'll be back on track by tomorrow night.

Day 5 - getting back on track!

Im back on track. Not only my target distance but a little extra to catch up. It will only improve from here.

Dad 4 - getting better

I might not be at my target yet, but I am definitely improving. Even managed a few kms tonight after driving home earlier today, which is usually curling up in pain with heat, icepacks and meds for the rest of the day. I have a solid plan for reaching my target, and Im a stubborn one so I know I'll get there .... or injure myself severely trying lol.

Day 3, and a little of day 2

3 days in and its been interesting. Day 1 I managed 2.4kms (3.4 daily target). Day 2 I travelled up the coast to visit mum and ended up nearly passing out, so no walk. We're thinking not enough sleep, long drive (for me) and still recovering from pneumonia, was to blame. Today did just over 2kms, interrupted for a little while helping a lady who's car had been hit while parked and was all flustered. Turns out shes going through chemo and having a rough time. I stayed around, helping her collect all the info and photos she needed, and made sure ahe was ok to drive. Hopefully her day improved. I get back to mums to hear about what happened back home. My heart goes out to all my fellow novacastrians, particularly all those involved, from victims, witnesses, first responders and all their loved ones.

Day 1 - first steps done!!

I had been stressing all day about how many kms I would be able to do, the heat combined with still recovering from pneumonia has not got me at my best. But sometimes things work in mysterious ways. The walking pad/treadmill I'd ordered, which wasn't supposed to arrive for another week came this morning, yay! I swear dragging that thing inside and unboxing it should count for a km or 2 lol. I may not have got my full target in, but I think I did okay. I will only improve from here. 2kms down, 98kms to go.

When the black dog is nipping at your heals

Last year, my first year, I committed to 60kms, upped it to 100kms, and was just about to up it again to 120kms when I lost 2 toe nails and dislocated my patella after hyperextending my knee multiple times.

At first I was so defeated, I'd failed, I didn't achieve what I'd promised. It wasn't until those around me pointed out I did that with PTSD, social anxiety, and treatment resistant major depressive disorder, not to mention the EDS, POTS, severe vertigo (thats settled, thank god), chronic pain and fatigue, and other associated "fun".

This year I was pumped, I signed up for 100kms on the 14th of July. I was going to smash this, and had a secret goal of 120-140kms. Then first week of August I get a cough, it turns into a chest infection, then pneumonia. My lungs have finally stopped trying to exit my body, which is great, and I even feel semi human. Although, if someone wants to take the slipped ribs for me, that would be great lol.

Today I walked 3302 steps, or 2.19kms, over the entire day. My pain is flaring badly, my heart is hating me (thanks POTS) and I am so tired, but I can't sleep. Partly due to the pain, but mostly because that a$$ in my head is telling me I've already failed and let everyone down.

That black dog really does suck, but I'm not giving up. I'll work this out somehow.