Nik

Crossing the Finish Line

1. Palm Beach 1km Ocean Swim: Today, I crossed the finish line at the Palm Beach 1km Ocean Swim. Twenty minutes in the water felt much longer, becoming a journey through various emotions and mental challenges rather than just a physical accomplishment.

2. The waves on the way out momentarily exceeded my own height, and with no bottom to touch, the fear of a near-drowning moment from many years ago resurfaced. Fortunately, a break in the waves, coupled with my more recent experiences in deeper waters, allowed me to move forward to the first buoy.

3. Although I felt the urge to quit, turn back, or seek help, the determination of others around me, slogging it out, plodding along, and moving forward, inspired me to press on.

4. Around the first buoy, I found more of a rhythm, and from there, I just kept going.

5. My swim may not have been fantastic or enjoyable, but the joy of crossing that finish line was immense. Seeing my fellow Can Too swimmers at the end was amazing. Working together turns the hardships into shared tribulations, shared challenges, and a multitude of achievements.

6. I am grateful for everyone who read and shared in my journey. While you can work hard on your own, working together lightens the load, turning tribulations into shared experiences.

7. Tonight, we are all sharing congratulations and messages while expressing gratitude to our supporters. My swimming journey continues, and I hope to take on other challenges in the future. Tonight, I am thankful that my body pulled me through when my mind was flagging. The words of encouragement from everyone were louder and stronger than my doubts, playing a significant role in my accomplishment.

8. Fundraising Goal: Lastly, I am almost at my fundraising goal, and I ask that you consider supporting the worthy cause of Can Too. They raise money for early cancer research and work to prevent cancer by running physical programs like the one I have joined.

The Pointy End

The last few months have seen me on a journey of bringing swimming into my life...Swimming in the beautiful Horseshoe bay while on holidays over New Year. Going to Freshwater pool doing laps on Boxing Day to wind down after a busy lead up to Christmas, and jumping in the pool on my day off to keep my training going. A highlight was swimming with my husband from Shelley Beach on his regular Manly to Shelley and back. Swimming togather has been a purpose for me to take on this challenge so getting closer to goals is encouragement.

On a Mission

Saturday morning showing up at Manly Beach, I had a bag full of worries that were compounded by my glance at the surf. Messy, messy through and through. I expressed my trepidation to Trish who was concerned yet encouraging. I was okay with giving myself a leave pass because I just didn't want to get myself in a situation when my head was not in the game.

Setbacks and Pushing On

My week started with a gastro bug that was unpleasant but minor in the scheme of things when you consider what those with cancer have to go through. Cancer treatments include chemotherapy and the treatment has to be balanced with the side effects induced by the treatments. Difficult compromises, I can only imagine...

Can You Too?

I'm supporting cancer research and prevention with Can Too Foundation. 

1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This means that potentially someone we love may have to battle cancer, and that's a statistic that needs to change. 

So I asked myself, "what can I do to help?" That's where the Can Too Foundation came in! Can Too provides professionally coached training programs for participants of any fitness level to run, swim and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle and a cancer-free world. 

In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care, and control of cancer. Since 2005, Can Too Foundation has trained over 18,000 participants and raised over $25,000,000 to invest in over 200 one-year cancer research grants.

It would be fantastic if you could sponsor me, or even better join me in a program!

Thank you for your support!