I'm training with Can Too for the Australian Running Festival 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.
I am a beginner athlete, getting professional coaching as part of a team to run in an endurance events - MARATHON!!!! 42KM!!!!
I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer. In 2015, Can Too is funding 14 early career researchers through Cure Cancer Australia.
Follow my blog and be part of this crazy ride! I personally thank you for supporting me!
‘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!’
My Updates
30km TODAY = 3.5 laps of Narrabeen Lake
Saturday 20th FebToday was our practice race day.
We arrived at Narrabeen Tramshed at 5:30am. It was pitch black but everyone was in high spirits and the marathon buzz was alive.
My first obstacle was to avoid an ankle injury running along The Lake path in the dark. Luckily, it wasn't long before the sun was waking up and the light dawned upon the path ahead. My legs had also woken up and I was on my way for the first lap around Narrabeen Lake. The first lap was picturesque, empty, quiet and still. Just the rhythmic sound of our feet hitting the ground (and of course the bubbling chatter between Alicia and myself, and whoever else we could talk to, to distract outrselves from the long journey ahead).
On our second lap we made use of the legendary Energy Champs along the path, who provided us with H2O, Gatorade, snakes and gels. We refuelled, reenergized and were ready to smash out lap 2. Still chatting away, Alicia and I were happy with our progress. This lap, the local community had started their morning walks, so there were a few more people on the track. The black swans made me smile, as they reminded me of a childhood memory with my Dad. My legs were starting to hurt, but I was feeling mentally tough today, to fight through any pain.
Finally lap 3, and the chitter-chatter had stopped. The sound of our breathing was louder than the singing kookaburras and the pounding of our feet on the ground sounded heavier and harder with every step. It was getting tough but it was the last lap, only 8 km to go. I started my mental-chant "Strong. Calm. I Can. I Will." 7kms, 6kms, 5kms to go... the count down was on.
Somehow today, I managed to find some extra energy and so for the last 5kms I stepped it up and knotch, aiming to get faster with every km. Finally the finish line was ahead, across Narrabeen bridge, past H2O Cafe (which was full of patrons dining for breakfast and the aroma of coffee had never smelt better - although it would be the last thing I could stomach at this point)... and, there it was, the finish line, yay, done! A quick look at my GPS watch to make sure it said 30km and I was finished.
I felt good so good to have achieved another personal goal (the longest distance I've ever run - 30km). My recovery included, an ice bath (literally a bag of ice in a cold bath!!!!!), compression pants, magnesium tablets, hydralyte fluids, lots of food and long stretches. Bring on the next challenge - 32km in two weeks time.
HALF WAY
Sunday 10th JanWELCOME 2016!
I have...
- Reached half way of my fundraising target, which I would like to thank you, my supporters, so much, for your generousity and donations. Without you I could not reach my goals! You are helping me achieve my dreams for this new year. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
- Run 20km (almost half way there), around and around the streets of Manly. I lost the Can Too pod at one stage and ended up in Clontarf, instead of looping around the aquarium, but eventually I caught up with the group and ran home with friends. We ran through queenscliff, north steyne, manly, shelly beach, the wharf, fairlight, clontarf, back to north head & manly hospital, back to the aquarium, back to shelley beach and then home to Hinkler Park (near queenscliff surf club). A beauitful morning, for a fun run!
I will...
- Continue to train hard to reach my goal of running and finishing my first marathon.
- Continue to remember the purpose of who we are running for: the victims of cancer, the sick people in this world that rely upon contunal funding towards cancer research.
Next week I will be running the farthest I have ever run. 22km! Eek! Power on and upwards (through 2016!)
E xx
Central Coast Half Marathon
Sunday 29th NovToday I ran the longest I have EVER run in my life - 21km! My first half marathon SUCCESSLY DONE (tick)!
Oh, what a feeling! The adrenalin kicked in when the gun fired, and the race began. I found myself being pulled along by the other runners, silently encouraging me to keep up with them, and helping me do my PB splits. The track got really exciting when I saw the leaders of the race heading back on their return trip (man, oh man, do they run fast!) And when I turned, at the 10.5km half way mark, I was heading home with full force. The toughest part was from 16-20km, when I was mentally and physically exhausted. But my mantra, "I can do this" was stuck in my head.
Finally I reached the finish line, with my family and friends cheering me on. I recieved my first shiny medal for running! And a hug from my dear daughter Ruby had never felt better - I had earned that BIG hug today :)
How am I feeling: exhausted but motivated!
I survived the FIRST TRAINING session
Thursday 26th NovTo say that I was a little anxious about entering the Can Too Marathon program, is an understaement. I was FREAKING OUT! I still am... To run a marathon seems impossible. 42km, is ridiculous!
I'm just a novice. Up until a few weeks ago, I had never run more than 14km (Pub to Pub race) in my entire life. Then someone suggested I do a half-marathon, which I've been training for and will race this weekend...but I can't say I've accomplished a half (yet!)
And then someone said, "if you can do a half, you CAN do a full marathon"! With quite a bit of persuasion, complimented by positive role models surrounding me at Can Too and cross-training, I was convinced. I CAN do this. I WILL do this. (Oh man, what have I signed up for.)
So, I sat in the grandstand seats at the Narrabeen Academy of Sports Athletics track, listening to our trainers and mentors talk about the program for the next 20 weeks. We introduced ourselves and that made me feel even more nervous. Almost every person there had run a half-marathon, or a marathon, or two, three, 15 marathons!!!! And then there was me...
I'm a Mum who needed a goal. Some thing to work towards and something that will give me the feeling of success, achievement and satisfaction. Going to the gym each week with no purpose, isn't enough. So here's where the marathon bucketlist idea came from. Who would have thought I was going to fullfill this dream so early in my life?!
I'm still having feelings of doubt, that I won't be able to achieve this feat. But with the immense support from the group of people in the Can Too program, I am sure as heck going to give it my best shot at getting to the finish line.
If people with Cancer can go through the pain, suffering, stress and strain of being diagnosed, treated, sometimes faced with rediagnosis and sometimes faced with terminal endings, then my marathon run is so incredibly insignificant and minor in comparison.
Watch this space to see me reach my goal...
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation towards my goal
$ 30
Alanna Roach
$ 30
Jessica Harvey
Good luck Mrs Young!!! Love Jessica H!
$ 30
Vanda Skavaas
Run Mrs Young Run!!! Good Luck! Love Rose R. xo
$ 30
Zoe Verrills
Way to go Mrs Young! All the best, love Zoe . V xxx
$ 50
Jake Cargnelutti
Good Luck Mrs Young! Love Jake x
$ 20
Gail
I still think your crazy... but all the best! You'll smash it out!!! :)
$ 20
Belinda Robinson
Run like the wind !!
$ 20
Karen Adams
$ 100
Amanda Pittas
good luck on your run. From Elle Pittas
$ 20
Grimshaw Family
Good luck Erin!
$ 50
Joanne Saville
Good luck Mrs Young! Love Charlotte Saville. Xx
$ 100
Victoria Volpe
You're amazing Erin! I can't even stomach a bus bay...what a great achievement.
$ 10
Clive & Jack Mckell
Good luck Miss Young!
$ 50
Ash And Sal
????
$ 100
Matt Young
$ 20
Jolene And Adam
$ 20
Jo Gray
run Ez run! you legend x
$ 100
Keith Burgess
$ 50
Aran, Claire, Isla & Isaac
Hi Erin, Well done on aiming for your first marathon - great cause. We're thinking of you! xx
$ 50
Karen Gurney
Goodluck Erin!!!
$ 20
Anonymous
Well done Erin. I did the London marathon in 1995 so know how it feels. You have to convince your mind as well as your body that you can do it. Keep up the training.
$ 50
Katie Burgess
$ 200
Jennifer Young
$ 20
Tanya Prischl
Go Girls!
$ 20
Em & Reyner
RUN ERIN RUN !!
$ 25
The Staffords
Steeeeeeriiii, all the best with your challenge! I've seen you hot foot it around Europe so I'm sure you'll breeze through it! Big CHEEEEER for you! xxx
$ 50
Yasmin Bell
$ 20
Debbie Cohen
Well done, have a great day. Hope you reach your target
$ 100
Nana Ru
Very proud of you Erin! x
$ 100
Mum And Greg
We know you can do this Erin - you are truly an inspiration!
$ 30
Magda Mclean
$ 30
Julia Stempel
$ 200
David Stephens
$ 60
Gill And Matt Davies
We are so inspired by your message Erin . Very brave , we wish you all the best. ! XX
$ 210
Paul &glynis
Wishing you the very best, and good luck not just on the day but during all the training xx
$ 50
Ness
Great cause Ez, I know you'll smash it!
$ 20
Bec Harper
Go for it Ez!
$ 50
Neeks
Great goal, great cause, go Ez!! xx
$ 20
Lucca
Go Erin! You can do it :) xx
$ 5
Judit Barta
$ 30
Absolute respect for you and your will power. Xx