How many pairs of shoes did you get through?

Just two! I left Perth with one spare pair, but they gave me blisters whenever I used them so I had to wait till Port Augusta (after 2700km) to buy a new pair. Relief!

 

What did you eat?

Mostly bread, tuna, chocolate, peanut butter and honey, pasta and boiled eggs. 

 

Why did you do it?

Quite simply to see if I could. The more in-depth answer lies within the pages of 'Going the Distance'!

 

How did you train?

Lots of running. I built up to running 110km a week doing three or four runs of between 20-35km. I used the London Marathon as a training goal to give me something sold to work towards, and flew to Perth straight after the Marathon to start the walk. See also the Running History PDF linked on this page. 

 

Why did you choose Australia?

I spent a year living here in 1990/91 backpacking and loved it. Beautiful weather, people, places and beaches. It's fairly flat (or so I thought) and it doesn't get as cold as Canada - although minus 8 degrees Celsius on the Nullarbor felt more like the Arctic than Australia!

 

Why a winter and west to east crossing?

I didn't want to cross the desert in the Australian summer heat. I started with the Nullarbor, the flattest part, so I could ease into it and I'd read I'd have the prevailing winds at my back - every little bit helps. I also wanted to finish with a bang in Sydney.

 

Did you raise money for a charity?

Yes. The sheer distance of crossing Australia made it a good vehicle to raise money for a charity. I chose the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) because I'd always been passionate about animals and through my world travels I'd seen cruelty and neglect first-hand. While on the road I encouraged people to give direct to the RSPCA and its network of shelters and I personally collected A$1,500 in donations. I gave $250 to the RSPCA UK's Taiwan project against animal neglect in Asia, and the remaining A$1,250 for work needed on the RSPCA shelter in Wollongong.

 

How much did you carry?

I pushed 50kg of gear including tent, sleeping bag, food and water in a Baby Jogger (a three-wheeled pram). See the 'My Stuff' PDF linked on this page.

 

What did you learn?

I am far from an elite athlete but walking across Australia proved to myself (and maybe others!) that great things can be achieved through determination, motivation and dedication, as much as pure ability. I hope others may be inspired by what I have done. You don't have to be an elite athlete to set and achieve goals - you just need elite determination.