Day 38 Marla

Distance today 61km at 10km/hr

Total distance 2823km Deserts 3/10. Fundraising $4021. Days remaining 101

It’s 917pm on Tuesday the 8 June 2021.

The Oodnadatta Journey has come to an end…… heeeellllloooo Marla!!!!

What a day!!! It’s difficult to know where to start. Today was all about digging deeper.

I knew this challenge was going to stretch me not just physically but also emotionally, mentally, socially and spiritually. I want that and I need it to move into the next stage of life and be the woman I want to be for myself and my family. Today’s ride was the next level of challenge where this space has been confronted for the first time since leaving Brisbane.

The conditions continued as they have for the last couple of days but with a southerly head wind that was cold and fierce. I was beside myself how hard it was. Not even 5km out I realised I needed to redress as I was shivering, wet with sweat and exhausted. I’m susceptible to hypothermia and I didn’t want that to add to the elements. I went into a cattle paddock off the road and layered up with the gortex over the top. At least I wasn’t going to put my safety at risk. However I doubted if I could manage the days kms to Marla and this was distressing.

For some reason travellers weren’t stopping as they have been, to check in on my welfare in the tricky conditions and I noticed how much this affected my energy and positivity. perhaps they were more focused on getting onto Marla I’m not sure, I just know how much I missed it.

I can’t tell you much about the countryside because I was very much within my own head and heart. As much as I value the ‘we’ connection with Banjo, today was more about my experiencing. I found myself genuinely asking if I was up for the challenge. I could see myself going home knowing that I still haven’t confronted some of the demons that are holding me back from being the best version of myself. My mind was dark and doubtful and suffering in silence sucks!!

Then with 42km to go Peter and Jane stopped.

‘Do you need water?’ I replied, ‘No’ and burst into tears. ‘What do you need?’ ‘Just this… to tell someone how hard I’m finding the ride today.’ ‘Hold on we’ll pull over.’

Jane asked, ‘Do you need chocolate?’ I laughed and said, ‘Oh… and I also need chocolate’ 🤣 We talked for ages and shared stories about India and our travels and humanity. It was just what I needed and I told them so and thanked them both with all my heart. I didn’t touch the chocolate during the ride. Instead it was a reminder how powerful human connection and empathy is. I didn’t want to be rescued, I just needed someone to care.

I headed off for the next 42km in a different mindset. ‘Yes’ I want to do this challenge and find the courage to dig deeper. It’s only going to get harder from here on in. I found myself thinking about the Finke Desert Race and how the first day separates the serious contenders for day 2. Today was like my own day 1. Could I dig deeper and find the courage and resilience to work through the rest of the day? Believing in myself has taken a toll over the last years as a result of life events that took the wind out of my sail. This doubt was pulled on today and I found my way through the next hours with a clear picture of what I needed to do.

I remembered Sarah Hammond saying how hard it is out here and Troy encouraging 1 step at a time. Respecting the conditions and taking it 5km at a time is what happened next right to Marlas doorstep. Jane and Peters chocolate tasted pretty dam good.

It’s been a hard day. It’s been a good day. And now it’s time for a rest day to reflect and reset for the road ahead. Talk soon xxxxx