Well I sit here in Whakatane, with the family, my sister and her family, and Lisa and have just got back from a wonderful dinnner at the local club with all. Disappointment pervades my thoughts but pride as well at completing 475 km's of pretty much continous running, with a little sleep and some eating chucked in the middle.
Wanted to make the east coast but both my shins just packed it in with 20 km's to go. People have told me how hard it is to get through shin splints and believe you me I now know first hand. Glass is what it feels like and every step is a killer. Made the call tonight not to run through this as I've got ideas for more running this year and I don't want to jeapordise this. A stress fracture would not be fun!!
Once again thank you everyone for your great support. There are some fabulous people out there and this country is an amazing place. There are also some very couragious people who have endured some horific burns injuries who are just getting on with it. I'm proud to have been part of their lives, all be it very briefly.
I would also like to thank the many company supporters who have provided good and services throughout this venture. Your support is in many cases automatic and in some case unprompted!!
I also want to take this opportunity to thank Gary Nicholson, my crew member from day 1. He has been awesome and has helped the process greatly. Justin, thank you too for those days of running, we had a lot of fun, and met some great people.
I still believe the budist 'it just is' concept is lacking in the human emotion of 'aversion' and 'attraction'!
I have attraction to the joy of running!!
All the best, Dave Walker