On Saturday 29th November...
A landmark day, I swam out from south steyne (Manly beach by the surf club) all the way to half-way! Woo Hoo...
That Blue Line - Seasickness - Shark Shadows - My James Bond Girl moment ....
So what does That Blue Line - Sea-sickness - Shark Shadows - and perfecting My James Bond Girl exit from the ocean have in common? … I'm raising money for cancer research by competing in an ocean swim on 25th Jan 2015.
The WHO? I am training with CanToo, a non-profit program that matches fitness incentives with a good cause. Beginners and experienced athletes alike are given professional coaching as part of a team to run, swim or cycle in endurance events. In return, I will raise valuable funds that go directly towards funding cancer researches through Cure Cancer Australia.
The WHY? This raises much needed funds for cancer cure research. Cancer has been a part of my life since my uncle passed away when I was a teenager, appeared again in college when a best friends Mum was diagnosed, then my own Dad, my former schoolmaster, recently a very close great friend, another uncle… some have triumphed and others aren’t here to share our lives with anymore.. I am doing this for you, for your family, your friends, for everyone we interact with on a daily basis…
The journey to date, well lets just say I didn’t enjoy my first couple of ocean swims. I hadn’t considered the depths I would be swimming out to; the absence of that blue line! Seriously you all know I am handicapped by my sense of direction (or lack of), its worse in the ocean I keep veering right, that is off course and to NZ… ; everyone keeps talking about the different fish they have spotted, a mild swell finds me desperately meditating to keep food down and concentrate on breathing .. and finally my post swim exit results in me thrashing up on the shore more like a beached whale who has swallowed way too much salt water, then a hot James Bond Girl! .. I have a lot to achieve in the next two months…
I will be posting regular updates on my CanToo blog from this weekend. My current profile picture and gallery contain photographs which give you an insight into my ocean-swimming sink or swim to survive journey. In essence, my profile picture shows you my ocean swimming checklist which includes the all important luminous orange CanToo cap (which can be seen from the shoreline - phew!); tinted wide rimmed googles - all the better to see with and help veer me in the right direction; funky wetsuit - to keep me warm (I have alas become acclimatised to Sydney weather and lost my Irish amphibian thermostat); Sunscreen - I am raising money for cancer after all; Anti-seasickness tablets - last year’s Palm Beach had a 3metre swell (yes you read that right). You may laugh, however a regurgitation in the ocean will invite the fish and well we all know what large grey shadows are attracted to shoals of fish… and finally the all important protein hit, enough energy to get me through the morning swim..
Your support and sponsorship would be greatly appreciated… To donate simply click on the following link https://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/JoAnnMullally-Forster2015 (SPONSOR ME button)
(Remember all donations are tax deductible in Australia)
Big thanks .. and watch this blue space :) ..
Do chara, JoAnn… .
Thank you to my Sponsors
$200
Mum & Dad Mullally..
$200
Rae And Geoff
Well done - very proud of you x
$100
Meg Leahey-walsh
What a wonderful challenge and fabulous cause! Wishing you every success
$100
Maeve
An amazing challenge for a wonderful cause JoAnn. I'll be thinking of you on Sunday, (You know you could have just held a coffee morning right?!-although arranging anything with 2 small children around... you're right, a crazy sea swim might be an easier task:)
$100
Simon Kinsey
You're an inspiration JoAnn. Good luck.
$50
Maz & Alex
Your perseverance, strength, determination and courage are a true inspiration JoAnn...if anyone can do it, YOU CAN! xx
$50
Emma
Well done AJ*. Good luck with all of your training and have fun on the big day!
$50
Chrissie
Great effort JoAnn! Always an inspiration. Good luck x
$50
Nicola
Best of Luck Jo.
$50
Stephen
Very much agree with the why! The very best of luck!
$50
Joann Mullally-forster
$50
Kirsty Cranfield
Best of luck JoAnn you will nail it!
$50
Tamlyn
Good luck!! You'll have no problems finishing!
$50
Siobhan Harte
Nice one JoAnn, keep up the good work!!
$50
The Hendersons
A great challenge. You WILL enjoy being in the open ocean (eventually!)
$50
Carmel Treacy
Fair play to you Jo! Will be thinking of you on the 25th! xx
$50
Gillemon
target busted.. no pressure now sis.. we'll be taking the xmas dip in your honour. e
$50
Ian
Good luck Joann, good on ya!
$40
Vicki Mcqueen
You don't just chase your dreams, you catch them! You're an inspiration to us all.
$40
Anne-maree
'Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming' (Dory, Finding Nemo')
$30
Caroline Betts
Good on you JoAnn, you're so brave! A wonderful idea and a great cause. Best of luck!! XX
$30
Michelle Osullivan
Fairplay JoAnn. Hope the training is going well. Good luck on the 25th!
$25
Kathryn Allen
Good luck JoAnn!
$25
Vicki
best of luck girl!
$20
Susan L
Best of luck JoAnn, what a "swell" idea, you'll be great x
$20
Agnes
Well done for a good course, JoAnn. All the best with the swim. God Bless.
$16
Fionn Mullally
$10
Lucy
You can do it!
Have you got shark repellent? ..