I've long admired the work that the Fred Hollows Foundation does in restoring eyesight for people and ending avoidable blindness. Obviously vision is an issue close to my heart and every day I am grateful for the amazing medical resources we have had available to us for Dane. I'm also lucky enough to live on the Sunshine Coast - which just so happens to be one of the destinations for the Wild Women on Top Coastrek walks, which raises money for the Fred Hollows Foundation. This walk is either a 30km or 60km trek along the Sunshine Coast coastline - 30km was all I could commit to! This is a recount of my adventure! 

In order to participate in the Coastrek walk, you must form a team of four (ideally all women) and raise $2,000 as a team. I was so fortunate to be joined by four mums that I met in mothers group when our first babies were born over 11 years ago, a friend that I met at work 17 years ago and two other awesome friends of friends that I met on the day.

We were pretty excited, some of us nervous (okay that was mostly me), as we jumped on the shuttle bus to the Coastrek starting line at Mudjimba. Of course we were running late for our 9.45am start time, especially after the typical queue for the ladies toilets. We joined a few hundred other women and set off on a VERY long walk. 

Four of our girls, let's call them the 'A' team, charged off pretty much running, leaving us in their wake. Apparently they were gunning for a land speed record. I was more interested in just finishing the thing. 

I was pretty pumped to be doing the walk but I'll admit that it was only a few weeks before the event that I found out 20km was going to be done on sand. If you've ever walked on sand you'll know just how challenging that can be, especially if the tide is coming in! 

Sand, so much sand. So much pain!

Fortunately there were short reprieves and we got to walk through some lovely forest and beachside track - and finally some bitumen and concrete at the end. 

The greatest adventure was the creek crossing. The two girls who had done the walk in 2018 told us that it was just a tiny little creek that you could jump over. Not this year it would seem. It was at least a few metres wide and 1-2 foot deep. I thought I was pretty clever in packing some plastic bags that I'd saved from a trade show - only to find out that it was actually a rain poncho when I pulled it out of the wrapper! So it was shoes off and through the water. About 20 minutes later after VERY carefully cleaning every last bit of sand off my feet we hit the track again. 

The creek crossing - not super fun but certainly funny.     Photo courtesy SurfShots Noosa Photography. 

The scenery was spectacular that's for sure. The Sunshine Coast truly is a beautiful place. Although if I'm honest, I didn't see much of it from about the 20km mark onwards - I was in my own little world of pain. 

Amazing views eased the pain. Sometimes.    Photo courtesy SurfShots Noosa Photography. 

After just short of 7 hours of walking, we finally reached Noosa Main Beach and charged over the finish line, a full two hours later than the 'A' team.    

At Noosa Main Beach about 400m from the finish line. The adrenaline kicked in so I was feeling pretty good at this point. The Nurofen wore off about an hour later. 

This was close to the most challenging physical thing I've ever done in my life and honestly I don't think I'll ever do i again unless they get rid of the sand. Three days later and my GOOD knee is still killing me. Think I'll look good as one of the volunteers that hand out the snacks next year. 

But if you're keen on setting yourself a physical and mental challenge while raising money for the great work that the Fred Hollows Foundation does, the Coastrek is brilliant. Having your lady mates with you gets you through and the feeling of accomplishment as you cross that line and get your medal is well worth the pain.   

We did it!