So here it is...my annual Can Too Fundraiser! As many of you will know, once a year I mentor a training program with Can Too (2018 was the Glenbrook Trail Program), and once a year I ask my lovely network of friends, family, colleagues and fellow crazies for support in fundraising for this charity I love and believe in, who directly fund researchers to find a cure for all types of cancer. I can't actually believe it's been 18mths since IM Port Mac but here we are!
Whilst I do a lot of events over the course of a year, I only ask you lovely people once, and only for big-ass goals...and IronMan is pretty big 😊
Yes, that's why you haven't seen me for almost 6mths and I've declined all your invitations to fun things. Training twice a day for 20 weeks kinda takes up a lot of one's time and energy alas. My 10min power naps on the back seat of my car on arrival at work just to get in a few more minutes of shut-eye, must alas come to an end. I simply can't remember going to work without at least 3 meals in my cool bag.
So here we are, less than TWO WEEKS AWAY from race day! I know, I've left it late, I've been busy training ya know! So I guess that means you don't have time to say 'I'll do that later' and best do it now, oh yeah!
IM 2.0 is in Busselton (aka Busso), about 3hrs south of Perth, WA. Race day is Sunday, December 2. What is an Ironman?
Check out the course overview video for a taste of what's ahead of us!
Why am I doing this, especially when I can already say I AM AN IRONMAN!? For the challenge. I like the discipline of training for something big, that you need to dedicate yourself to, that you can't fluke or get away without training for, that you have this huge BHAG that you have to break down into bitesize (I just wrote bike-sized, this is what happens!!) pieces and nibble away at one chunk at a time until 'suddenly' 20 weeks later, you're ready to race. Must be the project manager in me...!
And because whilst doing this crazy thing, I reduce my own chances of being diagnosed with a third of cancers which are lifestyle-related, and also raise funds to help find a cure to get rid of the bastard Big C for everyone. Because for every effect, there is a cause, and everything can be cured - the question is only how, and we need research to find out that answer. You can treat something - and the improvements in doing so over the years have been amazing - but imagine the day when we can all get vaccinated against Cancer so as it never even rears it's obscenely ugly head. Research can make that a reality.
How am I feeling? Terrified, and tired, but ready for it to now happen. I've gone past the 'Noooo it's too close, I'm not ready!' terrors and am into the 'Give me back my life, I want to sleep-in and go out for brunch with my friends' stage. I know I can do the distances, but as always, the swim terrifies me and the fear of panic is omnipresent. If conditions are choppy, I'm gonna struggle with my two constant swim companions, The Panic and The Fear. If I can just get through the swim, I'll be good. Oh, and the last 2 Busso IMs have both had the swims cancelled or evacuated due to sharks in the bay. Yeah, I'll be happy when I get out of the swim! I mean, sharks eat the fast ones right, not the slow ones at the back like me? I'm going with that theory....
Frankly, whilst I'm scared, I got nothing on people who have just been told they've got cancer. There's IM-scared, and then there's 'You've-got-Cancer' scared. I'd take the buttock-clenching fear of IM every time thanks very much.
I'd love it if you could click that big red DONATE button and support me in supporting these awesome researchers, who I have no doubt will one day find a cure for a disease which takes too many of the people we all love too soon. EVERYTHING helps so don't feel like you can't give $5 or $10...I'd be very happy and grateful for your $5 or $10!
Can Too is a health promotion organisation that trains individuals to achieve personal health, wellbeing and altruistic goals. Beginners and experienced athletes alike are given professional coaching as part of a team to run or swim in endurance events- including 10km, half-marathon and marathon runs; as well as ocean swims and triathlons.
The Can Too Foundation is committed to supporting Australia’s brightest and best cancer researcher. Each year the Can Too Foundation provides over $1million to beneficiary partners to support early-career cancer researchers and major cancer research projects, committed to the research, prevention, care and control of cancer.
To date, the Can Too Foundation has invested in 156 cancer research projects around Australia including NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA, having raised over $20Million training over 15,000 people to realise their own personal health and fitness goals.
Want to achieve your own goal? Check out Can Too's current programs and sign up today to do something amazing, for you and for Cancer Research.