I have always loved challenges and over the last 7 years or so, I have become a huge fan of trail running. A huge hightlight was running in the NorthFace 100km Events in NSW over the past 3 years and the Kepler Challenge in New Zealand. They are huge events and very long distances testing ones stamina and endurance.
 
This year has been extremely difficult. My God-daughter Meagan was married in February (I delivered her!) and she faced the ordeal of losing her new father-in-law Greg Collins, aged 51 years, just 3 days after she was married. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for just over 12 months. It had a huge effect on all of us.
 
As a Nurse you are exposed to the challenges, emotions, the ups and downs of coping with such an awful disease. You become attached to patients and families alike, sharing their very personal and difficult journeys. I was so pleased and proud to be able to secure a place with Nick Lee's team to invade New York and shake up the New York Marathon with the finest of Aussies running for his cause. It has been an amazing time, raising funds and promoting bowel cancer awareness. The training for the event too, has been an interesting time, to say the least!
 
I have an amazing support behind me and in many ways much stronger than me, and I love them all. Thank you so much Mum and Dad, my best friend Kayelene and Lindsay, Meagan, Scott, Jason, Sjaan, Tim, Ron, Lance, my trainer,  Hock and Trish, Robyn, Jarrod and Cecelia and all at the Lodge Fitness Centre and the Calvary Central Districts Hospital.
 
I'm running for Jodi, Greg and for the bravest most special man in the world, my Dad, and for all those fighting cancer.