12 hours and 45 minutes

Well the crux of the whole “7 in 7″ is done – The Heaphy Track – the longest and possibly the hardest track of them all has been conquered. My support runner Jeff and I set off in the dark at 3.45 am this morning – much to the annoyance of our hut mates , sorry guys! The beginning of the run was quite magical, cool, misty conditions and perfect for running. About an hour later still in the dark we were joined by a feathered friend – a kiwi in the bush, a fleeting glimpse – but a glimpse none the less and what a rare treat. There were some desperate moments over the course of this run – I had a fall that was just down to tiredness and losing concentration but luckily no injuries. The midpoint of the Heaphy Track was a momentous moment – We had reached the half way mark in the challenge. Unfortunately I wasn’t in a great state to enjoy it. It was at that point I took my first drugs of the trip – some painkillers! I was only six hours in and I was in a world of pain – mainly my feet – the constant jarring is making them unbelievably sore. I really have to thank my support runner today – Jeff was incredible, he carried my pack for a couple of hours which was a godsend. Then last but not least our chopper pilot Steve, who met us 6 kilometers from the end of the track and took my pack again … what a lifesaver. After a grueling 12 hours and forty five minutes of running we were done. The three hour helicopter ride to Glenorchy to the next stage was a stunner and a great way to finish the day, it was just what the doctor ordered. The sweeping views along the West Coast at dusk were unbelievably beautiful and uplifting. Now for some food, some desperately needed sleep and a shorter run, The Routeburn, to look forward to – one of the easy ones (yeah right)

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm and is filed under 2009 Blogs, News and tagged with Glenorchy, The Heaphy Track. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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Christina says:

December 2, 2009 at 9:31 pm

We’re watching, cheering, wishing you all the best and hoping for good weather. We’re blown away by what you’ve achieved so far, keep going, only 3 to go now!

Christina from no. 5

Matt Suddaby says:

December 2, 2009 at 11:14 pm

Mal, You’re a legend – keep it up!

Jane Manthorpe says:

December 2, 2009 at 11:19 pm

wow! Mal,I am so happy for you that you have completed the Heaphy
great on you and keep running, all the best for the next few runs and see you
very soon
keep strong, its in the mind pain….
Jane

Gray says:

December 3, 2009 at 6:19 am

Hey Mal, sounds like a long day yesterday… Don’t stop now, you’re nearly there.

lesliedh says:

December 3, 2009 at 8:09 am

Yo!! Keep on going Mal! This is such a wonderful feat and all supporters of the Blood and Leukemia Foundation will be with you. Keep well, keep strong.

Leola Abraham says:

December 3, 2009 at 9:45 am

Yeah! Malcolm great job tackling that Heaphy Track! Thank you so much for all that you are doing!

Steve Combe says:

December 3, 2009 at 2:50 pm

I can’t believe you had the energy to blog/write anything at the end of that day! Just flying with Denis and that little jog left me for dead by the time I got home. I see from the progress reports that the pace is steady today, well done. Hope the feet aren’t killing you. I’ll send you a copy of our heli track. She did a big day!

Al Love says:

December 3, 2009 at 4:25 pm

Way to go Mal. You are blooming amazing and we are so proud to know you. And to think you even encumbered yourself by dragging Graeme along on one of the tracts. That comment with likely enter the banter at some point. Only two to go Superman. Best of luck.

Warwick Russell says:

December 3, 2009 at 6:11 pm

Mal,

Good luck for tomorrow 5 down 2 to go, look after those feet!

The satelite maps are cool to track you progress, c’ant keep away from them during the day.

Cheers

Warwick

Bruce says:

December 3, 2009 at 9:39 pm

Way to go Mal. 12 + hours is a huge effort. I walked this one about 10 years ago and can sympathise with the pain although i did it is about 4 days. All the best for the final two runs

Sid says:

December 3, 2009 at 9:58 pm

Great going Mal. My wife and I talked with you and your mates for a moment on the Waikaremoana Track – your first stage. I said to her, look out, here come some crazy runners. And I was right… you guys are crazy, in a very good way. My son has CML… so I’ll definitely be donating to your cause. Would do so anyway but even more so because of the common link. You have finished Routeburn by now (our favourite NZ great walk), and only have two to go. Good luck on Milford and especially on the Kepler Challenge. They’re both spectacular trails, but I suppose you guys don’t get to actually see much of the scenery. Watch out for the tree roots! Cheers…