Em Meades

Day 22: Eastlink Trail/Winton Wetlands

Saturday 22nd Mar 4.60 km, 1hr, 3min Today is the last day of the challenge, and I think this will be the last walk I log (unless something happens tonight and I get another one in). I'm so proud of how much I've achieved in this challenge. There was 5 days I couldn't walk at all because of travel, health or events and 4 or 5 days I walked but did so at reduced capacity because my bone marrow biopsy was a bit rough this time around. I finished the last of my oral chemo and treatment in the midst of this challenge too. My energy levels are better, I'm moving with more ease. And I've seen some really pretty and beautiful nature. I'm dissapointed to not reach my goal of 22 hours, but I also know getting as many hours in as I did has been a genuine challenge and so I am proud of that. Thankyou so much to all my sponsors 💕 Share

Day 21: Dandenong Creek Trail / Campbell's Croft

Friday 21st Mar 5.44km, 1hr 15min The weather was too dangerous to go for a walk yesterday, I was very dissapointed. But walking along the creek today I could see how high the water had got and was glad I made the safe wise choice last night. Nice to get out today, hoping to get another shorter walk in this evening as well. I'm so proud of how my walking and energy is going. And I am back to really enjoying it unlike it being a chore I knew would leave me wrecked for a couple of days that it was a few months ago. Only a day left of the challenge! But I think I'll be making an effort to walk every day going foward, and maybe re do this challenge next year and see how much better I do! Share

Day 19: The Block and Somers Trail

Wednesday 19th Mar No photo! Sorry, it was dark and late and I didn't think to!  Share

Day 18: Koomba Park/Dandenong Creek Trail & a walk around the block

Wednesday 19th Mar 18.1: 1hr 31min, 6.76km 18.2: 22min, 1.6km Day 18 saw me try to make up some time. Travel on the 16th and 17th meant I did not get walks in, and I am feeling pretty under the pump to make up the hours. Ruth agreed to pick me up if I went exploring, and so with a snack and a drink bottle I choofed myself off down the dandenong creek trail. I eventually found myself exploring the tracks through Koomba Park, before calling Ruth to come and get me an hour and a half later. My longest walk for this challenge, and a walk that even a month ago I dont think I could have done. I'm really proud of how far I've come in my energy and movement levels post leukaemia, and although I'm behind this has been a real challenge for me and I'm so glad I am doing it. Share

Day 15: Torndirrup / Vancouver Peninsular WA

Wednesday 19th Mar Total of about 55 minutes across 3 walks. 15th of March saw lots of walks and exploring around the beaches and national park near Albany WA. Truly some very cool coastline and spectacular views and walking places. Share

Day 13.3: Valley of the Giants

Thursday 13th Mar 1.87 km, 44mins This has been my favourite walk and stop this whole trip. I LOVED being upamongst the trees, 40 meters high at one point! And then the walk through the Ancient forest at the bottom as well. Was a great adventure and movement to put towards my challenge! Share

Day 13.2: Cascades

Thursday 13th Mar 1.04 km, 19min If we had remembered to grab our drink bottles when we left the van we would have done the full loop walk here, but we didn't and made wise decisions. Beautiful water falls and rocky bush here. It brought mt soul mush joy. Share

Day 13.1: Pemberton Forest Park

Thursday 13th Mar 1.14km, 16 mins While Ruth had a bit of a sleeping this morning I went for a stroll through the forest that backs on to the caravan park we were staying at. It was beautiful, lots of tracks to explore including the Bibblumup trail. I also found the Pemberton Pool which would be a gorgeous place to swim. I didn't explore too much, wary to save my energy and capacity for the day ahead. Share

Day 12.2: Canal Rocks

Wednesday 12th Mar 0.56km, 12 mins This was so much fun. Love a good rock scramble and explore. We also went swimming in the most beautiful water here next to rhe jetty which was just so cool. Not a long walk. But a fun one! Share

Day 12.1: Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Wednesday 12th Mar 0.93km, 20 min A quick explore of the Naturaliste Lighthouse precinct this morning. Beautiful views, and stunning landscape. We loved the wander around! Share

Day 11.3: Thrombolites, WA

Tuesday 11th Mar 0.66 km, 13 minutes There was another Giant at this location, but we didn't have the 45 minutes to go out and find it. However we were super keen to stop and go out on the board walk to see the thrombolites. They were very cool and a super interesting stop! Just a short walk, but so glad we did it! Share

Day 11.2: Mandurah, Sebas Song Giant

Tuesday 11th Mar 1.35 km, 19mins We were so keen to go and find all of the giants at Mandurah, but only had time to find Sebas Song. It w as a lovely walk out to the sculpture and such a cool concept. Will definitely be coming back to Mandurah one day to find them all! Share

Day 11.1: Serpentine Falls WA

Tuesday 11th Mar 1.01 km, 18min A slow amble and explore of the Serpentine Falls to kick the days adventure off. Dissapointed we couldn't swim because of the algae, but a lovely way to start the day. Share

Day 10.2: The Spectacles Wetland

Monday 10th Mar 1.36 km, 28 min We so wanted to explore the Spectacles more. We wanted to do the indigenous loop and the banksia loop but by the time we got there we had been awake over 14 hours and had another half an hour to go to our accommodation. Such a quick visit to this area of the world means some rushed exploration! But this was the coolest park. So many different types of ecosystem, it went from dry deserty vibes to a green wetland just by turning a corner. We were so taken by it! Loved it so much, and will be back one day to explore more thoroughly! Share

Day 10.1: Kings Park/Botanical Gardens Perth

Monday 10th Mar 23 min, 2.06 km Missed yesterday because I was not a well chicken and we were preparing for our trip. A big day of travelling today but some lovely walks in new places! Loved the Botanical Gardens at Kings Park in Perth. If we weren't as wrecked as we were we would have spent hours exploring it! But we had to get put to our accommodation and were keen for bed after a very early start. Share

Day 8: Around The Block

Saturday 8th Mar 23min, 1.72kms. Honestly, not having a good day energy and chemo wise today. Nausea, shakes and energy zap have been real. Managed a slow walk around the block with Ruth this evening, but it left me more wiped than any of the other walks put together. Glad I got some in, but also glad I didn't push it. I am very grateful for the amount of nature blocks and walking trails in our area though, even on a hard day getting into nature for some movement is so close by. Share

Day 7: Eastlink Trail/Dandenong Creek Trail

Friday 7th Mar 1hr 5mins, 4.91 kms. Walking along Dandenong Creek in the evening is just so lovely. With the birds and insects all singing, the hues of the sin setting and the quirt end to the day. Still sore today, but moving a little better. And I noticed I walked a bit further than I did last time I did this particular track, and was less wrecked by the end of it. I didn't want to push my biopsy site too hard though so just stick to the hour. Lovely way to end the day, and the first week of the challenge! Share

Day 6: Heatherdale Retarding Basin and Creek

Thursday 6th Mar 35 minutes, 2.65 km Another shorter walk this evening, still a bit sore and trying not to push it too much. Looking foward to making up the time from the last few days over the weekend and when in WA next week. Ruth joined me again tonight which was, as always, lovely. Share

Day 5: Around the Block

Thursday 6th Mar 23 minutes, 1.62kms. I was still very sore yesterday, but managed to get a short walk in around the block with Ruth in the evening. It was slower than my usual pace but nice to get some movement in and the company was the best. Share

Day 4: Heatherdale Retarding Basin & Creek

Tuesday 4th Mar 24min, 2.13kms. A short walk today. I had a Bone Marrow Biopsie this morning and the procedure was not as smooth as it usually is. I am very sore after it, which doesn't usually happen. I'm glad I felt up to a short loop tonight though - it was good to get some fresh air and trees in to the day. Share

Day 3: Winton Wetlands

Monday 3rd Mar Winton Wetlands: 4.87 km, 1hr 2min. A nice easy walk today, I am tossing up whether i go for another walk this evening because I have a bone marrow biopsy tomorrow and not sure how up for a walk I will be tomorrow afternoon. Share

Day 2: Somers Trail

Sunday 2nd Mar 2/3/25 Somers Trail: 65:28 minutes. 5.04km An earlier walk today so I can go watch my team play in their cricket finals. Struggled a little bit more today, not sure why. Share

Day 1: Eastlink Trail

Saturday 1st Mar Day One: 59.37 minutes, 4.47kms along the Eastlink trail. I haven't walked along here since before I had cancer, and it was so nice to be back on the trail I used to walk every day and knew every inch of. Slow going today, and it was hot, but lots of ducks around and gorgeous blues and greens of Australian summer. Share