Ryan Gillan

I must be crazy to do this again!

Hi follow me here:

www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/Ryan-Gillan

the last beach swim

I have been very slack this year with photos.

So on Saturaday I tied my waterproof camera to my speedos and ran into the water to be first and grab a few photos of the team.

Powered out past the 3-4mtr waves (not kidding), Grabbed the camera, powered it on......

Then the shark alarm went off.

Beach cleared!

I have never seen my team swim so fast - I was the last out and no shark photos. Still a few pics of everyone at the beach.

https://picasaweb.google.com/116275326393044234549/TheLastCantooSwim

the day before the big swim

I hope I can make it out

I hope I can swim all the way

I hope I don't die on the way back in.

And most of all, I hope the publicity photo of me looks good!

Too late to start to start doing sit-ups, but still time for fake tan.

At least I will look orange for cantoo!

4 days to go

That went fast! 

Aleast I have this movie to help me out 

fundraising has been reached - let's blow that number out of the water

Well we did it.

The goal for fundraising has been reached. $1250 so far is going to help find a cure for cancer.

To everyone that helped out a huge thank you!!!

I would love to finish with a higher number so please keep on helping.

A Wiseman told me not to swim

While travelling home on Tuesday I hurried onto a train and spotted a 3 seat that was free.
Happy to have a seat on a hot day I sat back and started to relax and read a book. Then a very smelly man sat in the seat and proceeded to talk to me. First he explained that the issues in Martin place where really about (I will not go into that) but then he noticed I have my wrists strapped. The next 20 minutes where a non stop flow of questions about my medical history. He (and the rest of the train) knew about my issues with my knees, wrists (one is fractured), that I am going to a physio for my left shoulder and a bit more. I was ask this simple question.
"the universe is trying to tell you not to do something, are you doing anything crazy that is out of the normal? "
At that time I explained the Cantoo swim. http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/RyanGillan
I was told that, this was the thing that I was to do and encourage others with the swim.

This is a true story. He smelled really, really bad! He had only one shoe, crazy long toe nails. But I can't help but think, did I meet a profit, Wiseman or something else?
It is now week 7 of the training and for those who have donated thank you, thank you!
If you have not donated and can spare the price of a good quality coffee then please help out one of the best causes: finding a cure for cancer.
http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/RyanGillan

To the man on the train, merry Christmas and a happy new year!

3 meter waves!

Amazing weather lately, we had some great waves for surfers – not so good for swimming.

3 meter waves forced us to meet at Shelly Beach and swim to half way point.

Visibility was a little poor, I think I could make out my hand but not too much more. This made the swim a little scary, everytime you see a shadow that part of your brain clicks and makes you think of beasties!

The pin cushion

Had to try something to stop the knee pain (left this week, right on Friday). 
Figured I would see if I am going to leak now while swimming. 
Half way through the training; stay on target! 

Halfway through the training

Some of you know about my issues with my knees, well I worked out I don’t need them in the pool – they hold me back!
I just swim and drag them along.
I have also got the various pain medication together and yes, I rattle!

The image shows my daily supply.

Here are the facts so far....

So here is what I have learnt so far:

• Black and white stripped swimmers scare off sharks - makes sense, you rarely hear about zebras being taken by sharks!
• When the water is gross after stoms, leave your googles fogged up
• Apply sunscreen to all areas exposed to light
• Cantoo swimmers are a little snug
• Waves can really hurt
• I am not as fit as I think
• Most important of all, only inhale when your head is out of the water

With my knee issues keeping awake at night due to constant pain, it’s nice to know that I am healthy and don’t have to battle with something like cancer.

So to those who are, I hope my little sacrifice is going to help you!

Training - rain, hail or lightening.

After 7 days of storms the water was a bit erky.

Felt like I was swimming through stormwater runoff – I hope that is all it was.

The waves where a bit crazy also. At one point I was swimming towards the beach and saw the largest wave ever heading to shore. I still had to head in that way so was quietly hoping 1 of 2 things would happen.

1. I would catch the wave and body surf in

Or

    2. Live, to swim another day.

Still, I made it.

Training continues towards the finish line.

Cheese can help stop cancer!

For a tax deductible donation of $75 to Cure Cancer Australia you will learn how to make Ricotta, Fetta, Mascapone, Labna, Quark (cream cheese) and Greek style yoghurt all in 1 day!
The cheese-makers are are running another workshop for a teeny tiny donation to Cure Cancer Australia!  I think this is number 10.

Lunch and a few laughs are provided.

If you're in, let me know and make your donation at:http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/ryangillan
ASAP to secure your spot!
Spots are limited - this may be the last one

Contact me via: ryangillan@yahoo.com
When: 22/Feb/2015. 10-3pm 

http://www.cantoo.org.au/fundraisers/RyanGillan

Today's swim update - just like dating used to be

So today we were at the beach. Reminded me of dating:

Go to the first girl you see, get turned away, go to the next one, get turned away - repeat and then go home.

Or was that just me.

First training night completed

Well, the first Wednesday training night has successfully been completed.

I spent the first 20 minutes responding to lots of people commenting with: "Ryan, you came back!"

I mean, you spend 2 hours after a swim in the fatal position in tears while calling for your mummy and that is the comments you get! just madness I say.

Swimming starts this week!

The training is officially stating this week.

So, confession time. I have not been swimming since my 1km swim last year so I have snuck off over the last 2 weeks for a swim to try to pretend I have been keeping my fitness levels up– Kind of like when you brush your teeth and floss before going to the dentist

I have also create a youtube video to explain why I am doing this madness.

http://youtu.be/jjXB-QQpbZY

I have signed up to start training with Can Too for the 2/2.5km Ocean Swim!

Hi,

After a long enough time since completing the 1km ocean swim on a day with "interesting" conditions – the beach was closed because of dangerous surf and sharks in the area.

This year I am going to enter the "Big Swim" approx. 2.5km ocean swim from Palm to Whale beach.

I hope to complete the swim safely and not like: Harold Holt

* Harold Holt, born in Sydney in 1908 and was the 17th Prime Minister of Australia. He disappeared while swimming 17 December, 1967. His body was never recovered.

So what am I doing you ask? (I have asked myself this!)

I am training for an event with Can Too, a non-profit program that matches fitness incentives with a good cause by supporting the research, prevention, care and control of Cancer.

Every $1 donated (i.e. 100%) goes to Cure Cancer Australia.