Cheryl Mangan

Weeks 7 to 10 - Mostly love

Only $543 and four weeks to reach my fundraising target!

Although it’s been a while since the last update, I promise, I am still running. Running faster and farther than ever. Training hard and often. And you all made me a fundraising star. In early may we reached the minimum fundraising target, upgrading to the full CanToo orange kit. A colour I have never dreamed of wearing in my life, but now wear my bright orange training singlet with pride.

In the last four weeks I have clocked over 64km, taking the total kms in the program to 197km. I was busy before, but now flat out with family, work, friends and training. Truth is I barely have a second spare, but I am still running, and average of 24km a week. Loving and hating it. Ok, mostly loving it.

Week 8 - we ran the Mother's Day Classic. This was my first race since highschool cross country. I managed to reach my race goal and finish under an hour, but the race made me realise just how far the GC half is going to be. It definitely gave me the kick to step up training and the following week at track training, I clocked 32 mins in my 5km time trial - another PB!

Last week the flu took me off the track for a week, but managed to recover this week with four strength and cross training sessions, lunch time walks and a 15km long run - all the way from Chapel Hill to the end of the golf course at Long Pocket. Predictably at around 9km I started cursing myself for ever coming up with this crazy half marathon idea. Everything hurts. Everything. But I am reminded that a half marathon, however gruelling is still a walk in the park compared to dealing with cancer.

I remain, humbled, encouraged and motivated by your generous contributions and kind words of support. I am nothing short of inspired by my fellow CanToo-ers who give it everything they have every training session. It is a privalege to run alongside.

Week six - Keep running

Head up, look straight, focus. The race is starting to come into sight. After 14 km, 21km doesn't seem quite so impossible. Everything hurts, I am still running. Striving for that extra kilometre, that extra dollar. I covered 27.2kms in training this week. I did the math, adding up all the kilometres since my first sponsor - 131.6km. To put this in perspective, the distance from Sydney to my parents home in Belmont (near Newcastle) is 141km. Brisbane to Byron Bay is 166km. In short, it's a bloody long way... but we're just on half way. 

Every thing went up a notch in duration and intensity. As my beautiful training buddy reminded me, everything past 12km is setting a new record. Long run was 14km this week - I had to take a couple of thirty second breaks, but overall, ran strong.

As you put your money on the table, I will keep running. 

Week five - Run it out

Devastatingly my very dear friend and mentor passed this week. The race to find a cure for this horrid disease was not run quick enough.

Saturday morning CanToo founder Annie Crawford joined us on our run, she reminded us that CanToo have raised $17 million to fund 147 cancer research projects, led by the most promising researchers around Australia. They will not give up until they find a cure. We should not give up.

Every. Dollar. Counts.

We are all hurting. The only thing to do is run harder and faster - in life, as well as on the track. Hug loved ones a little tighter and live fierce. Life is too precious and far too short not to give it everything we have. Lord knows my friend certainly did!

Saturday training session was 12km - a new personal best for both speed and endurance. 21km - bring it on!

Run strong. Live fierce. Beautiful, brilliant Syl, rest in peace x

Week four - Double or nothing

This week, you guys doubled your contributions to cancer research!!! Amazing!!! Thus I have done my best to keep my half of the bargain, to train hard and run strong.

A *slightly quieter week than last, Saturdays' training run was a recovery 8km. I have to admit, even after 10kms last weekend - 8km still didn't exactly feel like a recovery. Nevertheless, we all pushed through. Your dollars and words of encouragement are definitely firing up this little engine that could. And the CanToo team, including coach (Amy) and all my running buddies are a constant source of knowledge, guidance and inspiration on the track (and on Strava).

I also found myself taking some very precious family time on the Sunshine Coast last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed every second of my Sunday-easy-run on the beach at sunrise. During which, I did schedule a decent pause, to stop and take in this stunning vista.

Thank you once again for your generous contributions and ongoing support. It means a lot.

Week three - Not chump change

10k in the bank. For most runners, this is chump change, but for me, 10k is kind of a big deal. This is the farthest that I have ever run in my life. And amidst all the mid run daydreams about running off the track to find a bacon and egg roll and coffee - I couldn't help feeling unbelievably fortunate that I can run. And that I can strive to run a half marathon.

Another milestone achievement this week. I actually managed to plank (properly) for more than 30 seconds! Must be those extra dollars in the kitty! I asked my wonderful hubby to take a photo to commerate the moment. 

On that note thank you to all who have sponsored so far. I am thankful and humbled - I won't let you down.

Week two - Getting real

My fundraising page had only been live 24 hours and you guys generously kicked in $417! Thank you. Consider your contributions, along with your words of support and encouragement a significant motivator!

Honeymoon is over and last Wednesday night, we kicked off our first 5km time trial. I came in at around 33 mins. I clocked 35.30 mins at parkrun a month ago. This means I just cracked my personal best - yay! 

Somewhere between kilometre 6 and 7 of our 8km training run 6:30am on Saturday two things hit me: I am really doing this; and 21km is a bloody long way. This is the first time that training has been a real challenge and it hit home that the half marathon is almost three times that. Our long runs get 2km longer every week from here on - a training buddy reminds me we have twelve weeks. Breathe. Coincidently, breathing is the strategy for getting rid of mid-run stitches - I take another deep breath. Better 

This week I have managed to clock 29.5km running, 1km swim and 2 core strength workouts. As if your sponsorship wasn't motivating enough, there is nothing like facing a 10km long run to make sure you don't skip, or slack on any training sessions.

Sunday training program gave me two options, rest, or half hour easy run. I opted to take Isla and Jesse for a "run" - piggybacking a three year for half an hour is still training right?!

Week one

Registration. 

With fear, trepidation and a tiny bit of excitement – I pressed the “confirm my registration” button. I am in. What the hell have I done? What am I in for? I was freaking out. I messaged my friend and told her I had signed up. She reminded me to get good shoes and training :)

Day one. 

Raining, hot and humid. The first training session was a lot more fun than I expected it to be. We are all there for different reasons, but all touched by cancer and all sharing the same goal. It is clear that this is so much more than a race, it’s an experience and while I still am not exactly sure what I am in for, I am in. I am excited. Terrified. Committed. Feeling fierce.

Day two. 

Fall. I haven’t even set up my fundraising page yet and in the pouring rain, I fall over and bruise my knee. Ouch. I am sure it is just bruised, but it hurts like hell. Bugger. What terrible timing. Panic ensues. Ice. Rest. Hope. 

Day four. 

Thankfully my knee was just bruised. Still a little tender,  but back on track for the first long run training session, 6km at 6:30 on Saturday morning. It wasn’t easy, but feeling good and committed to the challenge at hand. I am reminded that all the training will get us there. 21km is a long way. Pace yourself. 90 days. Breathe.

I'm training with Can Too for the Gold Coast Half Marathon!

I am training for an event with Can Too, a health promotion organisation that engages and inspires individuals and the community 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.
 
In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer. In 2016, our Can Too community has supported 12 early career researchers through Cure Cancer Australia and Cancer Council NSW.

Thank you for supporting me!
 
‘It’s so much fun and I can’t believe I’m going to achieve this goal that I never thought possible. A great program and team support is making it possible. You Can Too!’