It's been a long road to recovery for Sissy Austin after a random assailant attacked her while running in a Victorian forest two months ago.
But the proud Djab Wurrong woman says the attack, which took place at her "happy place", Lal Lal State Forest, 20 minutes south-east of Ballarat, will not stop her from achieving her dreams.
Ms Austin has been selected to join the Indigenous Marathon Foundation's team to run in the New York marathon in November.
"I can't wait to cross that finish line in New York," she said.
"It's been a slow recovery with the concussion, but I'm definitely feeling like I'm getting better each day."
The New York Marathon is the biggest in the world.
Each year just 12 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people between the ages of 18 and 30 are selected to train for the marathon in November.
For the 29-year-old, it was one of the last chances to fulfil the dream of running in the marathon.
"I had done the application, I feel like, maybe in January," Ms Austin said.
"They hold trials throughout the country to run 3 kilometres.
"And I was really, really shattered because … I got reminded of the tryout date a week following the attack."
After getting approval from her doctor and completing the trial, Ms Austin was selected by the foundation to join the team.
"I was so determined, even though I was still pretty unwell with the concussion," Ms Austin said.
"This has like been my dream forever to be part of the program, and I really didn't want the attack to take that away from me."
For Ms Austin, the struggle wasn't just about recovering from the facial injuries and the concussion but also finding the strength to regain her mental health.
"[It helps] being on country … I've got amazing community members who have all already gotten behind me," she said.
"They like, you know, offer to run with me, even if they're not runners, so they ride the bike beside me."
Since 2010, the Indigenous Marathon Project has received more than 1,400 applications and has had runners complete 166 marathons.
Throughout the year, Ms Austin will attend week-long camps to train for the marathon.
She will be required to undertake educational measures such as a Certificate IV in Indigenous Leadership and Health Promotion and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid.
Ms Austin said she would work hard until November and was grateful to the Ballarat community for its support.
"[I want to show] that women can rise above … violence against our bodies. Particularly, First Nations women," she said.
"I'm taking one run at a time … one foot in front of the other."
The investigation into the attack on Ms Austin is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
