After a week of heavy indulgence on an assortment of chocolate and lollies, I decided to atone my sins by visiting the infamous '
1000 stairs' in Ferntree Gully.
Photographer: Wilson Afonso (Wikipedia)
The renowned track is called the Kokoda Track, and is a memorial track commemorating the WW2 battle between Japanese and Australian forces in Papua New Guinea. It is notorious for its gruelling ascent through the Dandenong ranges. AFL players and fitness fanatics are rumoured to be regulars of this trail, though this piece of information eluded me until I was at the point of no return.
A close friend of mine, who is coincidentally a triathlete recommended this walk to me, so I geared up in my finest sporting wear and set off for the track - clutching my mobile phone tightly and silently praying my next call wouldn't be 000. The prelude to the stairs consists of a winding, rugged dirt track that promises a sprained ankle and caused a searing burn in my calves and lungs, which had me wheezing for breath 20 metres in.
By the time I made it to the entrance of the stairs, I was already fashioning a bright red face, a sweaty back and mud-splashed ankles. I spared 5 minutes to compose myself and commenced the journey up the stairs. I started off well, springing into a light jog, snickering to myself at how many people had grossly overestimated the severity of the track, and was already imagining myself bounding up the final steps and jumping with my hands in the air- Rocky Balboa style.
However, about 100 stairs in I realised I had peaked too soon, and to my great embarrassment had to stop in a rest area to rub my burning thighs and catch my breath. After I had been overtaken by a variety of senior citizens and children barely old enough to walk, I returned to my workout at a steadier pace.
Once I managed to keep a constant speed I was able to appreciate the beauty that surrounded me and found myself climbing the stairs with a big smile on my face, impervious to my flaming red cheeks and sweaty back.
I reached the top in about 25 minutes, and while I didn't have the energy to emulate Rocky Balboa's victory jump, I did feel a very strong sense of elation at accomplishing such a mighty feat, and bearing witness to such (literally) breathtaking views.
