Month One: Finding My Feet
Entry 07 October 2026
September has been a mix of wins, setbacks and a fair bit of life getting in the way. It took me a while to complete a full week of the Summit Strength program, but I’m learning plenty about my body, my schedule and what it takes to keep going when things don’t go to plan.
The Wins
My first couple of strength workouts left me feeling every muscle, and my legs were the first to let me know about it! But the improvements are noticeable too. Walking up the hills around the city is considerably easier, and my runs along the river feel smoother. Even some of those killer hills aren’t feeling quite so killer anymore.
I was also gifted a set of walking poles by Ray this month, and I have to say, they really do make a difference. It could be that I’m also getting stronger, but uphills felt easier with the poles. Downhills are still a work in progress. There’s definitely an art to using them, and I’m still learning it.
And then there’s Rowan from Summit Strength. My back has been flaring up, and he noticed straight away, modified my exercises and added a back relief routine to my schedule. One time, he adjusted my training and sent me an explanation video within 38 minutes of me sending my feedback. He talks me through what to skip and what to adapt, and he’s been incredibly adaptable. I’ve been following the app religiously, and having that kind of support makes all the difference.
The Challenges
Honestly, it hasn’t all been smooth. My back strain has been the biggest hurdle. It improved, then flared up again, and I’m not sure what caused it. It could be a combination of rusty technique, a sharp increase in overall activity, or simply the stress that comes with a busy period of life.
I’m also still getting used to some of the exercises. They’re not movements that come naturally to me yet, so there’s often a bit of hesitation before I dive in. Add in my desire to keep running alongside the strength work, and it’s taken some trial and error to find a routine that feels balanced.
Then my transport was hijacked! My son has been visiting and borrowing my car, which meant my regular morning hikes at Mt Coot-tha were largely off the table. I really missed them. Those hikes give me a sense of freedom and challenge, but perhaps more importantly, they clear my head and help me reset.
Throw in a week of terrible sleep, a demanding workload, and a wedding on the horizon, and it’s no surprise that my monthly ratings were all over the place. Some days felt like a solid eight out of ten, while others barely scraped a two. But that’s the reality of any worthwhile challenge, progress isn’t always a straight line.
Fuel Matters
One lesson that really stood out this month was the importance of fuelling properly. On the mornings when I headed out for a longer hike without eating beforehand, everything felt noticeably harder. My energy levels dipped sooner, and the climbs seemed steeper than they should have. It’s a simple lesson, but one I’m glad to be learning now rather than halfway up Kilimanjaro.
The Final Week
The final week of September was a bit of a rollercoaster. Stress levels were running high for a variety of reasons, and my emotions seemed to be all over the place. The squats certainly weren’t helping the soreness factor either!
Thankfully, things have started to settle. My sleep has improved, I’ve managed to get back out on the trails for a couple of hikes, and, best of all, my back is feeling significantly better.
Best of all, my children are home, and I’m feeling genuinely excited about my wedding. My goal for next week is a simple one: long walks on the beach with my family and my new husband.
