Peta-Jane Maynard

You only fail if you fail to try

Well folks (as my daughter's teacher from last year always said), I've withdrawn from the goal event, did that last week as a result of a rib / cartilage problem. Can Too says I'm still on the program, the Coaches and Mentors have been amazing and I've come to the swim and beach training to watch and learn. I will complete an ocean swim, just not on Feb 14.

I am on the mend, two weeks down the track, but it's still painful, even kicking in the pool is tough because of the pain in my ribs / chest, and difficulty breathing. But I haven't failed...

What I have realised in the past week, because of so much positive feedback from my sponsors, is that I haven't failed - myself nor others. In fact I have raised almost nearly all of my $1250 target fundraising goal, $1,115 in fact. I have put in so much training, weight lifting, strengthening work, extra swim training. This was to ensure I was as fit and strong as I could possibly be physically, knowing that would help me conquer my mental challenges of swimming in the ocean, and the other physical limitations that I have discovered I am living with over the past year. Thank you for your kind and positive words, knowing that most of you feel OK about donating to the Can Too cause has been heartening.

So rather than being absolutely devestated that I am unable to physically complete the rest of the Can Too training program, nor my goal event, I feel so proud of what has been achieved. So proud of every other team member of the Nimble Pymble Pod with whom I swim, and the other Pod members with whom I have swum at Mona Vale Beach on a Saturday morning.

Each and every one of us is on our own personal journey in this program. Each and every one of us has come so far in terms of our swimming, confidence and we are on the way with fundraising.

We are all doing this program for two reasons, personal reasons and to raise money for Cancer research. Plain and simple.

On the personal note I have learned through this journey that some are doing the program in honour of a loved one who has or did have cancer, some of us have experienced cancer ourselves, some of us are overcoming a fear of the ocean, others have a plain and simple desire to get fit and prove to themselves and others that you have the grit to stick with it and improve your health. Some of us are doing this to conquer a fear of sharks (of which many of us do have) and I am sure there are other personal reasons for doing this training with the view of completing the goal event.

On a fundraising note, with the Can Too support, coaches and mentors input, we can achieve something much greater than self betterment. Something much greater than purely swimming for ourselves, we can achieve so much for the continued research of cancer in Australia. We all win. We get fit, achieve our personal goals and do this for a great cause.

The reality is that although I am unable to even do the freestyle stroke at the moment, I am there to support all the other Nimble Pymble Pod because they all absolutely rock. I find you all so inspirational and am very proud to support you all in achieving your own personal and fundraising goals.

I would only have failed if I had failed to try. Now my goal, rather than being the goal event and reaching my fundraising goal, is to support other members who might need a bit of jibing (love that) of the Nimble Pymble Pod to achieve theirs.

I'll be there as 'team kick' - I'm coming up the rear and have got your back. >

Rubber dinghy and too close for comfort

I was driving to Mona Vale beach around 8.00am yesterday morning, looking at the temperature in my car. 18 degrees, it dropped by one degree on the way there, and poured rain for a bit too. Typical beach swim training weather to be honest.

I'd swum 1.1km late on Friday afternoon, and was feeling tired. Not sure what they'd have us do today, and how taxing it would be. I ate breakfast of a handful of muesli and some natural yoghurt, normally I don't eat much before training on Saturdays as don't want it to be too close for comfort. As in I don't want to be the person that vomits up my breakfast.

It had stopped raining and was mild by the time i reached the beach. But the surf had a fair swell and a bit of a rip heading South.

So we practiced getting in through the waves, then coming back out. That was ok.

But the swimming right out past the breakers was exhausting, and scary, and I struggled with my breathing and felt exhausted. One of the other fellows thought it was really quite easy - he swims in the ocean all the time.

In terms of technicality, do you - when you are swimming back to shore - turn to face the wave, and go right under - or do you continue swimming and let the god almighty wave crash over the top of you. Massively scary for me. Just getting through the waves, coming up swimming, then being hit by another wave straight away, but still having to swim. Found myself with my head up instead of under pretty much the whole time. My hips were hurting, froggy legs kept me afloat when coming up from being smashed by a wave. Hip hurting when back on the beach. Will I cry or shall I just keep it all to myself?

We survived, and I rushed off to meet Andrew and the girls. Back for another tough time next week. Who would have thought getting out through the waves would be so complicated.

Tactic for next week:

1) Don't overthink it - just get in the waves and do what you normally would do in the surf

2) Relax - the more I relax, the easier it is.

The rubber dinghy bit was that two of the Can Too swimmers were rescued in the rubber dinghy. Bit frightening watching it, and glad they are both ok. Was pretty hairy.

A big swim at the basin

It was a crisp 21 degrees when we turned up on Saturday for our second 'ocean' training session at Mona Vale Beach. 20 degrees cooler than the day before.

Mum came with me for training, and she swam in the ocean pool for a bit while we trained.

We numbered up, and went down onto the beach. At least there was no rain today, but it was still pretty cool. Kept the jumper on until the last minute.

We did some 'girly' running up and down the beach, not great on my hips but I just got in and did it.

We went in and out of the surf a couple of times, then moved to the basin end of the beach for the swimming component.

After being popped in group 1 (of three groups) i decided that I would next week go into group number 2 - they train a bit harder and swim a bit further. Andrea came over and suggested I move into group 2 straight away, which I jumped at.

But I forgot to tell the coach of Group 1 I was moving, so when they did the roll call at the end of the session I was MIA. Lesson learned.

We swam three laps out a fair way this time. It was tough going, the current was pulling us out, so when swimming to the shore alot of it felt like I was swimming but going nowhere fast.

Seeing the rocks, and sea grass under the water was amazing. Watch the rocks is the take home for me as well. Stepped on a few getting out there.

Physically shattered after this one, but boy it was good.

Training at West Pymble pool after a big needle in my hip

Trained tonight after a cortisone injection into my left hip bursa this morning. Was a harrowing experience and felt exhausted for the day.

Turned up at training and spoke with the mentor and coach. Coach questions me training, but said use the floaty instead to avoid kicking. So we did the drills and laps - me just using the old arms. Boy was it hard, but I did it. Such great people, and coaches and mentors. Love the attitude, and atmosphere of the collective group. There are some people who because of lack of swimming training, or fitness, or fear just can't even make 50m - but they are all so wonderful turning up, having a go. And they will get there.

I find the people around me inspiring, which I needed in my life in the fitness arena. To set a goal, and reach it with a group of likeminded people is a real game changer.

Finding more inspiration each time I meet up with these guys.

Now to start some fundraising for Cancer research.

The purpose of me keeping this blog is to share my experiences. As most of you know I have had surgery for a hernia this year, but then have been diagnosed with bi-lateral hip labral tears in my cartilage, cysts, osteoarthritis and mild hip dysplasia. ALso a bit of tendinosis and bursitis to boot.

To have to re frame my fitness, no more running is the main thing, has rocked my world. I have been a runner since the age of 4. No more squats and lunges. Too many from teaching the old Les Mills Pump Classes in my time. It's been an adjustment which I am facing and feeling stronger about my attitude as I go. This charity - Can Too - raises much needed funds for Scientists and Academics researching many and varied areas within the cancer spectrum. A worthy cause.

We all raise money for our own charities, and are often being asked to donate for this or that charity.

Now it's my turn to ask for your donations. Please give as little or as much as you like. Anything will be appreciated.

Cheers for now

PJ

Our first ocean swim

The weather was awful for our first ocean swim off Mona Vale Beach on Saturday morning. I was already aprehensive about swimming with the great white sharks off the point at Mona Vale, but add in the 16 degrees that was reading on my car on the way there, and the bucketing rain...wasn't ideal conditions.

We all fronted up, got our texta numbers drawn on our arms, and were asked to put the compulsory "Can Too" bright orange swimming caps on. Only for the purpose of trainers and mentors knowing our names, which we have also textad on to the caps.

After a quick intro from teh CEO of Can Too, and some water education about the three different kinds of waves, and reading the water for rips we were all asked to go down onto the beach. It was still clear - weather wise - at this point, so all looking good.

We then stripped down to our cossies and thankfully the lap we told we were swimming was only about 10 m offshore, about 20 metres up the beach and then back in. So many helpers, water safety crew in the cranky surf - there with 'Bay Watch' like devices to throw our way if we got into trouble.

I was very nervous. So much so when I hit the water I was really struggling to breath. I was cold, and heart rate pumping my biggest challenge was to try and relax whilst swimming freestyle, with waves belting the side of me. Really tough first 'lap' in the ocean.

More encouragement from a mentor on the beach as I was exiting the water 'always watch the surf as you are exiting in case there's a big one that will take you out'. Point taken.

More words of wisdom from the coach and we were sent out in with a buddy again for another lap. My breathing was a bit better, and I wasn't so nervous the second time.

Third lap - got hit with a big wave. How do you breathe, not take in water from a wave, but get the air in your lungs you need.

So after a few more, we then had the lesson about running into the surf. Compulsory to flick your feet up below your knees, out to the side. I call this 'girly running'. Apparently best to enter the surf this way because it creates less drag than hammering your legs through the water submerged. Makes sense - again.

A few girly runs up and down the beach and then a pod of dolphins joined us and swam by. Big fins, but not the great white kind this time.

Anyway, finished up for the day after an hour on the beach in rain but still a smile on the dial. We entered the change rooms, rain pelting, only to realise most of Mona Vale beach womens change rooms (not sure about the mens) is without roof. So what was the point of showering, removing most of the sand from the beach I had managed to collect, getting dry and into some warm clothes. So the warm clothes got wet anyway.

Never mind, I had a wonderful time. It was tough mentally, and physically pretty cold. In fact the water was an amazing temperature by comparison and I would have quite enjoyed a proper swim in teh surf afterwards. I had to dash home and get the girls to their dance concert, and didn't have a lot of time to spare. Catch up coffee with the Nimble Pymble Pod of Can Too Ocean Swimmers is on the cards this Saturday morning.

Enjoyed the first ocean swim, conquered some nerves, created some positive thoughts.

Hip was quite sore, think from the girls runs we did, but not too bad on the whole.

I'm training with Can Too for the 1km Ocean Swim!

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 or swim in endurance events- including 10km, half-marathon and marathon runs; as well as ocean swims and triathlons.
 
In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer. In 2014, our Can Too community has supported 19 early career researchers through Cure Cancer Australia.

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!’