Hi. I want to tell you about a march that changed a lot for me.
In December 2019 I walked the Main Świętokrzyski Trail – about 100 km in three days. For every kilometer I donated 5 PLN to charity. For me it was a test of endurance and the moment I really felt how much other people’s support matters.
Where the idea came from
The idea came from the “Szybkie Podróże” (Fast Travels) channel on YouTube. I saw it was doable and decided to combine the march with a fundraiser. I like being active and wanted that effort to have a clear purpose.
Start: December 2, 2019. Route: Edmund Massalski Main Świętokrzyski Trail – a well-marked trail through the Świętokrzyskie Mountains.
Three days on the trail
Total: 24 h 46 min on the move, 102.06 km, 124,759 steps. Day one: euphoria and doubt. Day two: pain and fatigue. Day three: finish and relief.
Day 1
At the start I kept thinking: will I make it, how will my body hold up. With each kilometer it got easier mentally.
Day 2
This was the hardest. My body was feeling day one, every step hurt. What helped: talking, support, and knowing I was walking for something beyond myself. Without that I’d probably have quit.
Day 3
Fatigue was maxed out but the end was close. The last few kilometers were just about pushing through. I learned firsthand that a lot of “impossible” is in the head and in who’s around you.
What stayed with me
Limits are often in your head. At the start, 100 km in three days sounded abstract. It turned out doable with determination, consistency, and people around you.
Knowing that every kilometer meant 5 PLN for a cause really helped in the worst moments. I wasn’t just walking “for myself.” Cooperation before and during the march made a big difference.
Winter in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains – the views, silence, air – gave me more in the head than it took from my legs.
Summary: 653 PLN
We raised 653 PLN (plan was 5 PLN × 102 km = 510 PLN). Thanks to everyone who chipped in, cheered, and messaged along the way.
If you’re thinking about a similar challenge: it’s doable. Pick a cause, a route, and people who won’t let you off the hook. My story is just one of many – I’d encourage you to try your own.
Links
- Main Świętokrzyski Trail on Wikipedia – route description and trail history
- “Szybkie Podróże” on YouTube – where I got the idea
- Video from the whole march – video account
