My Activity Tracking
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kms
My target 27 kms
We did it
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Training for a 26km Marathon Ocean Swim

A lot of people have now asked me, 'how do you train for something like that?'
This is my first time training for a marathon swim, so truthfully, I am just winging it. Yes, I’d probably recommend joining a squad and having a coach who can provide you with a personalised 3-month plan. But starting squad training at age 8 and finishing up around 22, I’ve been swimming under a coaches nose for some time. I felt confident to tackle my own training plan, goals and discipline and go on this training journey for no one else but myself and Cantoo. I should mention at this point that the weather in Sydney has been less than ideal. The constant rain and flooding have degraded the water quality and are both dangerous for infections and attracting big fish with teeth. So I haven’t been in the ocean for 8 weeks…not the best preparation when you’re planning on doing a marathon ocean swim. Although, I’m grateful for relying on pool training again to get some bigger km’s in that I wouldn’t have been able to in the ocean.
My weekly goal is to swim 25km-30km. 3-4 sessions during the week (about 3km-5km each session) and a big Saturday morning set (10km), followed by a Sunday 5km. It’s great to overload on the weekend to simulate the race fatigue. Although, I always assess how fatigued I actually am and if I need a recovery day. But in saying that, a friend once told me to always show up…“you can’t just train on the days you feel good. Most people make that mistake. Because when you hit that point in the race where you don’t feel good and you have to keep going, it’s unknown territory. Even if it's not your day, you can go slow or not go too far. Just show up.”
I’ve been gradually building up the km’s for my Saturday morning ‘big’ sets. In the first weeks, I focused on getting a stronger and faster 10km. I then ramped it up to 12km and then 15km in the pool, which is the furthest I will go in training…Need to leave some km for race day ;) I’ve been blessed to have friends who have jumped in along the way so I have rarely done solo kms.
I’ve been lucky enough to have been introduced to groups of strong swimmers who train most mornings. It’s definitely easier to train with eager swimmers, who keep pushing you in the pool.
During these weekend sessions, I try and focus on my nutrition plan and work out what sits well and what doesn’t. As well as what food combinations of sugars and carbs sit well together. For example, sweet potato puree and canned peaches, or sweet potato puree and jellybeans? Can confirm both combos went down like a treat! I’ve also been experimenting to see if caffeine gels make more of a difference than non-caffeinated gels with a caffeine tablet. Got no insight on this one, but I’m going for the non-caffeinated gels with caffeine tablets every 3 hours.
The swim has now been postponed to the 30th of April, so another 3 weeks of training ahead. And it might even get postponed again if the rain doesn’t stop and water quality clears up.
Here’s hoping the water temperature doesn’t drop too much, because I’m adjusting quite finely to a 26 degree heated pool…
Welcome to my Fundraising Page!

This page is dedicated to my efforts in raising funds for CanToo - an organisation that funds Cancer Researchers working in all areas of Cancer. I’m doing this by challenging myself to a 27km solo ocean swim from Palm Beach to Shelley Beach on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
As a proud CanToo swim coach and mentor, I've had the privilege over the last 11 years, swimming alongside and coaching both novice and tenured swimmers, who have trained for challenging ocean swims while raising money for cancer along the way. It’s time to do the same and aspire for a challenge, all in the name of cancer research.
My passion and involvement for CanToo started when my beautiful grandmother passed away from Leukemia in 2009. My older sister, Bec, encouraged Mum to participate in the CanToo swim program to take on a new challenge. I’m completely inspired by Mum’s continued involvement in the CanToo swim programs for 12 years now.
She wrote this on one of her first fundraising emails: “We all know someone who has or has had Cancer. We've seen how life changes for that person and for their family and support team, right from the diagnosis, through the fear, the treatment, the pain, the uncertainty. Everyone's great hope is for a cure for cancer, which can only come from research. Yet Researchers biggest obstacle is Funding! Without Cancer Research, we wouldn't have a Cervical Cancer vaccine and a skin cancer vaccine in the making!
It is so encouraging to think what could be next?” Mum, 2015
You can click on the below link to check out what areas of research your donations are currently being directed. https://www.cantoo.org.au/cancer-research
This challenge will test every physical and mental strength I have. Sea lice, bluebottle stings, chaffing, sore shoulders, cramped legs, big fish with teeth, and the doubts. But all these obstacles I know I’ll face during the swim do not compare to the hardships a cancer patient and their families go through.
If you are able to support me, your donation, no matter how big or small will go a long way.
Thank you for your support and devotion to the Cure of Cancer.
Rach xx
Thank you to my Sponsors

$1,000
Rachel Mangan

$500
Ross Gavin
Well done Rachel - 15 minutes from finish now! So impressed

$500
Ian Turner
Spectacular Rach - you will blitz this (And thanks for all your help in our summer sessions)

$500
Michael Fraser

$500
Marie Mangan
Darling Rach Training - Done! Preparation- Done! You have worked so hard - so so proud of you for that alone. You've got this. I know Nanny and Mema will be with you the whole way. I'll be where I've been since you were 8 yrs old - at the finishing line, waiting for you. Love Mum xxxx

$300
Sarah Avis
Absolutely incredible!!! You go girl

$300
Simon Buckingham And Annie Crawford
Outstanding Rach - Keep Grinding! Massive effort.

$270
Jillian Brunsdon
Go Rachel, What an amazing swim and congratulations on finally getting to do the swim despite la nina having other ideas!!

$270
Erika Kazoks/ Claudia Steiner

$250
Warwick Bryan

$250
Margie Holden
See you in the water 🏊♀️

$250
Jenny Pridham
Wishing you all the best you brave young lady well done it is such a good cause ❤️ Jenny

$250
Mark O'reilly
Good luck with the swim

$250
Paul Reidy

$200
Hordern Family
Fantastic initiative Rach - go you! Love & best wishes from all your fans at the House of Hordern (Chrissy, James, Hunter, Jazz & Angus)

$200
Anonymous

$200
Peter Berman

$200
Malaine Haet
So proud of you Rae!! Much love Malaine. X

$150
Stu
Huge effort Rach. Well done!

$150
Sarah
Can’t wait to see your lovely smiling face at the finish line

$150
Thomas Mangan
Good Luck Rae Love you!

$125
Grand Gardens

$100
Court + Niall Ryan
Go Rach! So much admiration (and street cred) for all the time, energy, effort and commitment that goes into training and completing this mammoth swim! We’ll be cheering for you at the finish line x

$100
Lew And Rach Heeks
Go Rae!! You are amazing and you will smash it xx

$100
Boffa Family
Congratulations Rachel 27kms - what a great achievement with love The Boffa Family

$100
Hannah Gray
Go Rach! Such an incredible distance to be swimming. You’ll smash it xxx

$100
Mel O’brien
Absolutely incredible!!

$100
Helen Moore

$100
Peter Mouatt
Inspirational

$100
Jinnie & Ross Gavin
For Amazing Rachel

$100
Mark J Libardi
Super well done Rachel, inspiring.

$100
Patrick Bergin
Well done Rachel, and what a great story and a great cause. Thanks for your help as a mentor in Cantoo when I started swimming a few years ago. I'm still perfecting the duck dive!

$100
Lizzie Crowhurst
Mark Ellis would have been super, super, proud of you Rach and so am I. In awe. Tough day at the office. You are a legend.

$100
John Anthony Eales

$100
Tom Donohue
Good on ya (2nd) cuz !!! Reminds me of when your dad and his dog push biked from Sydney to Bourke (or similar), 45 years ago... Now stay safe! The world is your oyster.

$100
D&j Hurley

$100
Pappa
To my Darling Rachel So proud of you doing this and making a difference. I know Nanny will be with you the whole way keeping you strong and safe. "Veilige Reis" for Pappa's girl. Love you xx

$100
Julie
Great effort Rachel! I'll be cheering you on. Julie x

$100
Tony Brooks
Hi Rachel that is simply incredible- thank you Coach for your wonderful contribution to our swim program cheers Tony

$100
Dawn Smith

$100
Helen Gillespie
Good luck Rachel. What a huge swim!! Brave and strong xx Helen

$100
Amanda Tobias

$100
Catherine Treloar
Go Rachel!

$100
Daphne Chiang
Good luck with your swim Rachel!!! Will cheer for you!

$100
Jack
Your are Incredible 💪 ❤️

$100
Bec
Very proud that you’re committed to such a challenging swim. You’ll ace it! Lots of love, big sis xx

$100
Mrs Virginia C Greiner
Good luck What a great thing to do!

$100
David Keir
Go for it Rachel!

$100
Kath Mitchell

$100
Sandra Levenston

$100
Anneliese Lambert
You’re amazing Rae! Good luck!! Love Liese

$100
Robyn Clay
Go Rach! Unbelievably impressive!!!

$75
Matt
Good luck legend 💪

$60
Christine And Simone Gooley
Very proud of you Rachel and all your accomplishments! Best of luck for the big swim 🏊♀️

$60
Stephen Mcmillan
Well done!

$50
Ros Elmslie
Amazing in every way! Congratulations!!

$50
Maddie Kearney
Can’t wait to see you smash it! Go Rach!!

$50
Katie + Mitch
Go Rae Go!!

$50
Anonymous
Good luck Rachel. Thanks for all you are doing. You are amazing!!!

$50
Anonymous
Good luck Rachel. Thanks for all you are doing. You are amazing!!!

$50
Margie Davies
Awesome effort Rach!

$50
Zelie

$50
Sam Gliddon
Phenomenal effort!!

$50
Cece & Gaz
Nanny will be so proud of you. You are amazing.

$50
Abi
Amazing achievement- huge congratulations.

$50
Emily Wynter
Congratulations Rach, what an amazing effort! Xx

$50
Anonymous
Unbelievable!! What an achievement!!

$50
Robby Gee
Not only are you a super coach you are incredibly, magnificently and inimitably inspirational!

$50
Zara Nicholas
You are incredible. Go Roo!! Xxx

$50
Johanna De Mestre
Wishing you all the best for your swim. X

$50
Donny Richmond
Rach, Best of luck from your Sunday training group at Manly ABC. We are cheering you on for your swim and fundraiser! Donny

$50
Karen Cooper
Fantastic effort Rachael! 👏👏👏

$50
Prue Nicholas
May the ocean be calm and your strength be mighty for such a big swim! Big hugs and wishes Rach xx

$50
Anonymous
Congratulations

$50
Anonymous
You go girl !

$50
Cherri &ted Standfield
Best wishes on your massive swim Rachael. Cherri and Ted

$50
Robin Nicholls
Congratulations Rach, super impressive swim and determination.

$50
Ali Smith
Mermaid Mangan!! Incredible work my girl!

$50
Anthony Spurrett
Good luck 🏊♀️ 🏊♀️!!!

$50
Margaret Gillespie
Wishing you all the very best for the big swim Rachel!

$50
Han
You’ve got this Rach!

$50
Anonymous

$50
Aleks
GO RACH! 💪❤️

$50
Anonymous
Go Rae Go. What a girl!

$50
David Mangan
Well done Rae, such a great cause.

$50
Gina Teague
Thanks for coaching and inspiring us Rachel!

$50
Andrea Tustin
You are amazing …. Thank you Rachel

$50
Annie
Proud of you Rach! Go girl💪

$50
Antonia Howard
Get it Rach!!!

$50
Steven Barron
Go Rach! Amazing effort. Good luck from the Barrons!

$50
Lewis Aramayo
Super inspiring Rach!

$50
Sarah Mellino
Go Rach!! So proud of you!! Xxxx

$50
Anne
Good luck Rachel. It's amazing what you are doing for an amazing charity. I will be cheering you on from the UK. Love Anne.

$50
Anonymous

$40
Em Van Loon
Sooo inspiring!!!!!!

$30
Tom Oreilly

$30
Nour Abou Chahine
So inspirational Rach! Wishing you the best of the luck for the big swim!

$30
Lucy Hobson
So proud of you Rach!! Such an amazing achievement and for such a great cause xxx

$30
Nicola
Go Rach! Incredible.

$30
P T
Good Luck Rachel!

$30
Eliana
Such an amazing thing to do Rach!!

$25
Jen Gold
Go Rach! 🏊🏼♀️

$25
Michael King
Good luck Rachael Hoping you have calm waters and sunny skies for your swim Catherine and Michael

$25
Leisa Joanne Johnston
Go Rachel we are all very proud of you and what you are about to achieve love leisa

$25
Eliza
You’re amazing rach!! We’ll be cheering you on the whole way xx e

$20
Shilpa Janardhanan
All the very best Rachel!! You may not remember me but you helped complete my very first ocean swim at Palm Beach in 2020 :) and I have been swimming ever since!! You got this!

$20
Billie
Such an amazing thing to do. Good luck with your swim Rach!

$20
Emily Augustine

$20
Bella
Gooo Rachy! You’ll be brilliant 🌟 so proud of you!

$20
Sean Quigley
Rach you legend!! Smash it and see you at the finish line. All the big laps in the pool will pay off! Inspiring and worthy cause 🤝

$20
Benny J
Wow wow wow! What an amazing oppor-tuna-ty! Any fin is possible, just don’t trout yourself! Hopefully sea you at the finish line!

$20
Anonymous
Go you lil weapon!!!

$10
Jacqui H
Wishing you perfect conditions and a great swim tomorrow. Will be watching your progress and cheering you on.

$10