Tamara Leo

I did it!

Woo hoo, I did it! 2 weeks ago I completed my first triathlon and loved it.

Race day was such a surreal experience. I’m not sure what it is about Race 3 of the NSW Tri Series but it attracts some of the world’s best athletes so we Can Too-ers were mixing it with some potential gold medallists in Rio this year. Ok so they were almost finished the race before most of us had got out of the water but still we were there, they were there… :-) We cheered loudly when they received their medals and were in awe of how fit they all are.

The swim leg was always going to be my biggest challenge so I’m very pleased and relieved that I could swim the 750m distance. The 20km ride was fast and flat and thankfully I had no mechanicals. And then the 5km run – it took a good half k for the legs to kick in but once they did it felt surprisingly good. I guess that’s what 13 weeks of proper training does. In case you're curious I finished in a very respectable 1 h 30 min (and 32 sec :-)).

A big, big thank you for all your support – it really meant a lot. Through Can Too I managed to allocate some ‘me time’ and do some exercise. With all of your support I have also managed to raise money for a very worthy cause.

On so many levels I have found the Can Too experience very rewarding. The 13 weeks of training were so much fun and I will miss it – such a lovely group of people and awesome coaching. Would I do it again – yes! (When I do, I promise to be more creative in my fundraising efforts and not badger you all for donations... well maybe just once.)

Check out the photos in the gallery and thanks again.

Tamara x

Race day is getting closer

POST: 16 Jan 2016

3 weeks until race day... I can't believe I've completed 10 weeks of training.

It has flown by and I'll be sorry to see it ending. I'm having so much fun training with my Can Too North Pod teammates.

The big news after 10 weeks of training is that I have actually completed my first unofficial triathlon!!!! Bright and early on Saturday morning a mass of Can Too triathletes descended on Kurnell for a race simulation morning. It was really good practice for our event in 3 weeks’ time. Come Feb 7 I'm now reasonably confident that I'll be able to complete a 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run (Race 3 Triathlon Series).

So in no particular order here are some things that I have learnt through training so far:

• It is possible to regain a level of fitness after substantial time off
• It is possible to dedicate time to yourself at fairly normal hours of the day to do something you enjoy and the world will keep turning
• I can swim more than 50m without stopping
• I like my road bike and it's good to see that it's finally being ridden :-)
• They actually have a name for training multiple disciplines in the one session - BRICK training - and boy do my legs feel like it once I'm off the bike and trying to run
• Triathlons are great for gear freaks (I have shown great restraint BUT I really did need a new pair of running shoes, my last pair were about 15 years old!)
• Each and every one of my teammates will be capable of crossing the finish line thanks to some awesome coaching
• I can weave through a line of witches hats on a bike and avoid knocking them over
• It really doesn't matter how fast or slow you are, there is guaranteed to be a Can Too-er close by to cheer you on
• It's ok to be one of those people that asks for donations

It may sound very clichéd but the Can Too group do an amazing job of bringing people together for a common goal - getting fit to complete an event and raising money for cancer research. The team comradery is great and I now understand why so many of my team mates keep coming back to enter new Can Too events.

If you haven't picked a charity to donate to for the year or are looking for another please consider Can Too and donate to cancer research via my fundraising page https://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/TamaraLeo . I'm just over half way in reaching my fundraising goal and welcome any donations you can make.

If you want to know more about how the money is being used take a look at the 2015 funded researchers http://www.cantoo.org.au/about/about-our-research . The money raised really does help fund important research.

I've also posted some pictures on my page (see the gallery) so you can see me and the North Pod in action. I'll keep you posted on how the final weeks of training and race day go.

Tamara x

I'm training for a Sprint Triathlon with Can Too!

It’s time for a new challenge!

I remember feeling fit and capable of tackling new physical challenges. The desire hasn’t been lost though somewhere in the midst of having two beautiful kids the time to exercise has been.

After numerous conversations about finding the motivation to exercise the seed was planted to join my manager, Louise in a Can Too triathlon. I pondered the idea; started to get quite excited about the training schedule; almost convinced myself not to go ahead when the logistics of juggling training, work, children and life in general crept into my thoughts… and then… why not?

What a great way to challenge myself in a way I have wanted to for a number of years and in the process raise money for a fantastic cause.

I’ll be training for 13 weeks with the Can Too team and on Feb 7th I aim to complete my first ever triathlon.

In return for all the coaching I receive, I’ve pledged to raise $2250 for cancer research. All the money raised goes towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer. Since 2005 the Can Too Foundation has funded over 135 cancer research grants through their relationships with Cure Cancer Australia and Cancer Council NSW. In 2014, the Can Too community supported 19 early career researchers through Cure Cancer Australia!

Please help me tackle this new challenge by supporting me in reaching my fundraising goal.

Thank you, I'll need all the encouragement I can get!