The CrossingSydney Weekend
That Hill At St Peters
St Peters parkrun brought a warm welcome and a well-hidden hill, while Ben and Ols repaired the campervan, Deb arranged treatment for my legs and feet, and Sam took me to dinner beside Sydney Harbour.
St Peters parkrun made us very welcome. Event director Paul looked after us, I finally met online running friend and HAA supporter Sue, and I heard Helen’s inspiring story about the changes she had made in her own life.
The route was five kilometres around Sydney Park. It did not add any forward distance towards Brisbane, but it did include the St Peters hill.
I still do not know how they manage to hide that hill.
While I was doing that, Ben and Ols were dealing with a new campervan problem. When we parked the night before, one of the lads had got a little too close to a tree and damaged the window beside my bed. I cannot remember which of them had been driving.
By the time I got back they had deployed tarpaulin, duct tape and their noughts-and-crosses skills. They were very proud of the result. Thankfully, we were heading into warmer spring weather.
Deb had also arranged for me to see Ben at The Sports Clinic at Sydney University. Thanks to Deb’s incredible generosity and Ben’s expertise, my legs and feet felt like new again.
It hurt a little, but it was definitely a good pain. The plan from there was to spend most of the rest of the weekend off my feet.
That evening, HAA supporter Sam took me to dinner at the Opera Kitchen. Sam was a longstanding friend of Markus from Run Forest Run and wanted to hear more about HAA and No More Mr Fat Guy.
Sydney had turned the good weather back on, and dinner came with views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It was an absolute joy and privilege: great food, great company and great conversation.
During dinner it struck me just how much had already been achieved, and how much potential HAA had to make a difference in people’s lives. The people following and supporting us kept inspiring me to push through my own fears and try to turn that potential into something real.
Sam sadly died a few years later, so the memory of that dinner now carries some sadness with it. It was such a lovely and generous thing for her to do.
Rest in peace, Sam.
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