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Expected the training to be tuff, but the more I train, the more I get discouraged and the more I think that maybe I am really not up to the challenge and I am not as fit as people perceive me to be. Setting out again today with my 6.5kg pack to do a small hill (which is not so small to me given my little steps). Any advice for dealing with discouragement?
I try to tell myself that the more I train, the easier I will find the trek and to just keep going – putting one foot in front of the other. I remind myself that I am not carrying a 20kg+ pack and I have sufficient nutrition and water and that at least I am not being shot at like our Diggers were. This works when I am training, but not when I am at home and I have time to reflect on my day
hi fluppy i would just like to say that there is really no need to be discouraged i had trained befor i went to do the trail but i didnt stick to it and i did fearly well and i'm not the fitest.
Thanks cdt Smith. Are you in the cadets? I was (127RCU) – but that was nearly 15 years ago now, so am not as young as I once was
. Some days are good and some are like today where I think, 'what have I got myself into?' and it is harder for me to begin the day's training – hence why I posted this topic.I did a light walk up 2 (long) hills with my pack and then wanted to go home early as I still had shin splints in my left shin from last Friday's walk and had the beginnings of a headache. Funny thing is waiting for the bus would've left me there longer – so I walked home anyway regardless of the shin splints and the oncoming headache.
I guess I am a bit worried that I won't be fit enough to trek Kokoda. It has been a long-term dream for me and I would be shattered if I had to pull out – or worse – be flown out whilst on the trek because of insufficient fitness/training.
Hi
Before I left for Kokoda I had mine reservations if I was fit enough to do the track. I have just got back two weeks ago and had the time of my life. I am 163cm, 41 year old female who trained for 6 months prior to going. I found it hard in places but not as hard as I thought it would be overall. Our group of trekkers laughed all the way. I live at the beach and walked in the softsand with my day pack filled with 10 kgs of water in bottles. I went to the gym and did alot of pump classes and bike work, rowing and crosstrainer for cardio. Mainly strength and endurance work. I don't have hills around me so whenever I could I would go camping and go for the bushwalks for the mental challenge. The hardest thing for me was the tree roots having short legs, but my porter was my saving grace. Don't be disheartened, I saw some overweight people on the track and they did it. Just have to take your time and walk at your own pace. I am going back in October 2010 to go back the other way (Kokoda to Owers Crn). I loved the experience.
Tilly
Wow. What can I say to that? You are so right. 'You are what you think you are' as the saying goes.
re; your father's audio tapes etc – that would indeed be extremely difficult. It's amazing they retold anything at all really. Simple things like eating a good ol' Aussie meat pie (which would've been absolute heaven if they had one over there) drowned in tomato sauce would be hard. I guess the tomato sauce might've reminded them of all the blood.
There is a song out that used to be the theme song for a tv show called, 'Tour Of Duty'. Can't remember who sings it, but the name of the song is "Paint It Black". The chorus goes, 'I see a red room and I want to paint it black'. It is a song about war and the graphic things that people witnessed and how it had an effect on them. Red symbolising all the blood shed.
Thank you for the reality check Nettie and I see now why your username is 39thdecendant. Very apt and humbling too.
Brooke
Fluppy,
I fully support comments by Nettie, particularly the last paragraph. Your preparation appears to have been merticulous and well structured so be confident that your planning will get you through.
Only you and your medical advisers know your limiitations so it is important that these factors be carefully weighed up.
I, together with my two sons, were with Nettie and her Son on the Kokoda to Isurava Memorial Trek in late Aug. 2007. We, with 18 other direct descendants of 39th and 2/14th Battalion Kokoda Track WW2 veterans continued onto Owers Corner. Nettie has spoken often that she would have loved to have planned the full crossing however took careful account of very recent medical issues, including knee surgery, and reluctantly accepted that the shorter walk was the limit of her abilities at that time.
Our respective late fathers, both in "A" company of the 39th were very active together in 39th Battalion Association affairs post war. I personally, and I know Nettie does, very much look forward to a return to Isurava when the next pilgrimage is scheduled by the 39th Bat. Association.
Best wishes with your continuing prepartion.
Regards, Geoff HardieHi Brooke,
My story as promised, hope it is not too boring for you. DVD's are on their way as well.
Hope you get something out of it all.. remember the hardest person on yourself is you.Cheers
Nettie
Moresby_to_Kokoda.doc
MY_KOKODA_STORY_kokoda_to_isurava___back.docThank you. Much appreciated. Could you PM me with your address so I can send them back to you when I'm done? Thanks.
Brooke
hi fluppy, I think you need to simply believe in yourself and mentally image yourself walking into Kokoda at the end of your trek, tired-yes, exhuausted- -perhaps, exhilarated – definitely, proud-certainly.
Trekking Kokoda is a mindset. Believe in yourself, train hard, talk to others, seek advice but at the end of the day understand that it is your grit and determination that will get you through. Do not enter the field with negativity in your head. Positively focus on your strengths both physical and mental and approach Kokoda as you would any other challenge on life's journey. Given a presumed level of normal fitness and requisite training, the thing that will get you through is your own mental toughness and determination to succeed. Remember the TEN most powerful two letter words that make up this affirmation "IF IT IS TO BE IT IS UP TO ME ". Get this saying into your head, affirm it regularly and rather than filling your own head with self doubt and uncertainty adopt positive thought processes and cast negativity aside.
regards and good luck
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