He had a year to do it in.

The second anniversary of my mum's death went by recently. One of the things she used to love to do was recite poetry. So, I thought I would post a copy of one of her favourite poems up because it is relevant to what I am training for this year. 

I am planning to hike the Bibbulmun Track in South West Western Australia later this year. I am trying to beat the current record of 15 days and also raise much needed funds for Diabetes research.

You can donate to this worthy cause here. jdrf.org.au/DarrenKing     Please help us find a cure!

Training

He Had A Year To Do It In

He had a year to do it in
So brushed the thought away,
A chap with half his energy
Might do it in a day.
A year! ‘Twas too ridiculous,
As everyone should find;
However, he would get it done
And have it off his mind.

But not today. A few months hence would suit him better still;
Meanwhile, a far less irksome job
Might occupy his skill.
He would not let the matter pass
Entirely from him, No;
And doubtless he might take it up
In, say a month or so.

He had six months to do it in!
For six long months had flown;
Well, why should that alarm a chap
With talents like his own?
The job, whence once embarked upon,
Would soon be rattled through;
However, he would think of it,
In, say, a week or two.

He had three months to do it in!
"Oh brother!" was his cry;
The thing hangs on me like a weight,
Each day that passes by.
Let's see: three months? Ah, that's enough,
But, just to clear the doubt,
Make arrangements for a start
Before the month is out.

He had a week to do it in!
And care was in his glance.
"It's hard," he cried, "that flight of time,
Won't give a chap a chance!"
He still delayed, the swift week passed,
As weeks will ever run,
And though a year was given him,
The task was still undone.

To hike 1000km in two weeks or less is a daunting task. Especially when you consider that I plan to take all that I need to survive in a small pack which I will carry on my back. To put it in perspective, that is 24 marathons back to back, in less than 14 days. Having never done a marathon prior to starting this endeavour you can see why training and planning are playing a huge role in the success of this undertaking. It is certainly not something you could do at the last minute. Thanks Mum for teaching me the value of that old poem!