Since I was little, I’ve been keen on running around outside and sports in general. At about age 3 Dad took me skiing in a backpack. I’ve always liked the outdoors, but spent most of my teens playing cricket, followed by athletics until 2010. I loved these sports, and especially with athletics did everything I could to be the best I could be. This meant my life revolved around it, and I didn’t do too much else until after retiring. Then came mountain biking, a return to more regular skiing, and a new job that brought more outdoor opportunities and adventures. I really enjoyed learning new physical skills, and taking on different challenges outdoors, but when it came to exercise, I missed the structure of training six days a week.

I’ve also always loved reading biographies of athletes I admire, and in recent years this extended to people who wrote about journeys like rowing across an ocean, cycling or running around the world – generally doing extraordinary things. Then there were adventure film nights, and more recently ones that featured just women in the outdoors. A couple of years ago a woman I used to train with cycled all the way back to NZ from Switzerland, and shared her story as she went. I loved following along, especially in the depths of winter when work was stressful.

Somewhere along the way, I began to think I’d like to go on an adventure. Cue copious amounts of research, more specific reading, cautiously bringing up the possibility with my family and friends, training, and one of my favorite parts – acquiring gear! Plan A was cycle touring Japan, but Covid put a stop to that. So, I came up with a New Zealand based plan B which still hinges on Covid a bit, but at least I’m closer to home if things go pear shaped!

I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more of my own country, but not via the traditional tourist route. I’m sure there will be many tough times, but I wanted that, I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. The physical challenge really appeals too – can a former 200m sprinter walk 1700 km?!