Making the pain worth it

So a couple of weeks ago, I joined a gym. I've never been a sporty person - in my adult life, the closest I've come is watching rugby and the occassional game of soccer. So joining a gym was not the most natural thing in the world for me, but, much to my surprise, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, especially the Body Combat class which involves punching and kicking the air mixed martial arts-style to the tune of motivating music for an hour. I feel healthier, stronger, and much more energetic.
Although I do have a couple of general things I want to get out of the gym - making my shoulders stronger so they don't hurt so much, strengthening my core, and improving my fitness, I decided I needed a big goal - something I can do at the end of the year to prove I have achieved all these things.

So I've decided to walk what is said to be the best one-day hike in New Zealand, just a few hours drive from home - the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

It's a world-renowned trek, with 19.4km of alpine meadows, craters, scattered pumice, active volcanoes, mountain springs, lava flows, emerald lakes, piles of scoria and statue-like mounds of volcanic desert. It's New Zealand scenery at it's best, and it sounds like a challenge with its ever-changing terrain and weather, and steep mountain climbs. Can't wait!