Jules Mackin

Everyone has a reason why .....

This month there was a small article about my fundraising for Ironman in the Port Macquarie Focus Magazine. "Shut up" about your fundraising and training I hear you say!! Well I can't ....this cause is so close to my heart that I even shed a tear typing this out.

You see in 2008 I signed up with Cantoo to do my first ever half marathon, the reason I did this was to honour my mother who had suffered with stomach cancer at the age of 28 years. This had a dramatic negative affect on our family and I recall much sadness, stress and despair. Luckily she survived after a lot of care and treatment but after such a trauma the body & mind simply doesn't recover 100%.

In a twist of events only 2 weeks after running my first half marathon with Cantoo and having raised over $1250, I was diagnosed with my own type of cancer - which was completely unrelated to my mum's condition.

To say I was blown over was an understatement. It stirred up all those dreadful memories of despair and blackness which I had suffered as a child and here I was with my own diagnosis.

Determined not to let this beat me, I told friends to stay positive, make me laugh and stick together - that was all I wanted " a positive vibe" I was so lucky as my friends responded exactly how I wanted them too! They were so supportive, positive and giving - it was amazing! They turned up to the hospital with flowers, books, chocolates, gifts but most of all they brought their positive thoughts and energy, some of my friends who didnt know each other formed friendships over my bed!!! It was around this time that I realised that Australia was going to be my home, I had found a great place in the world where I belonged.

I am not saying it is easy to cope with cancer or that everyone has the same condition or set of circumstances but from my experience ...love and friendship will help you through the dreadful times and make you stronger. I am now 40 years old, (old yes I know!) coming up to 8 years in remission and embarking on my 5th Ironman event! I love the lifestyle triathlon provides its healthy, happy and good for your confidence!

Please please support this cause and donate today!!! every single cent counts and will help to change lifes.....step by step!

LINK below for Focus Mag - top of page 14 - enjoy

http://portmacquarie.focusmag.com.au/flip-book/

The ride to Comboyne!

Why Cantoo Fundraising and why Port Mac Ironman 2016!?!

Despite enjoying a facebook post here and there I am not much of a blogger so please bear with me! So why another Ironman and why am I supporting Cantoo & Cancer Research??

Over the winter months I was struggling with motivation as I was carrying a running injury. I do believe it is important to have a break however it is also a challenge to return to fitness when your body is not fully repaired and your mojo has dissappeared! I spent winter doing lots of other activities and contemplated giving up on this Ironman malarkey!

A few weeks/ months after my fall I started cycling a bit and kept up the visits to the pool and then I started to do a few runs, my body was getting better and my injury was improving, the desire for triathlon was returning, but I wanted to do something different this time, perhaps it was an ironman in a different location (after all they have all been in Port )- was it time for a change of venue?! or should I do a 70.3 that way I don't have to do so many long rides and runs! The decision I made was to go for the Port Ironman again! This will be my 5th in Port and most likely my last ever Ironman event. Ironman is your choice but it most definately takes its toll on you mentally and physically.

I am really looking forward to being out there amongst the wonderful and supportive Port Mac community and being out there with friends and fellow competitors. Next year Port will have the 70.3 on the same day as Ironman which makes for a super exciting and busy day!

There are so many reasons that I am raising funds through Cantoo for Cancer Research, of course I am a Cancer survivor so the cause is very close to my heart but there's so much to Cantoo.

It provides free professional coaching, training and support to it's participants and in return participants raise money for Cure Cancer - all of the money (100%) goes to the cancer researchers! You can train for your first 10k run, half marathon or marathon or even an ocean swim. Cantoo is also open to those who wish to come back and do another program to improve a marathon time or perhaps select a longer ocean swim! It is a winning formula people get to realise their fitness dreams whilst raising much needed funds for cancer research :-)

Since being in remission I have been heavily involved in Cantoo over the years and have been a participant, run mentor, run coach and motivational speaker :-)

I fully support this cause so please hop on board and make a donation today! :-)

Help change lifes - 100% of the funds go to Cancer research :-)

Jules -)

I'm training and fundraising for cancer research with Can Too

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, ride or swim in endurance events- including 10km, half-marathon and marathon runs, ocean swims and triathlons.

In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer 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!’