Can Too: from zero to hero

I have a confession to make. I wasn't always a runner. In fact, I only started running in my early twenties as a form of stress relief. I was having a quarter-life crisis after dropping out of Uni and started wondering what the hell I was going to do with my life. 

[Me trying to be an adult]

The most running I had ever done was on a netball court in high school. Short bursts of effort across 20 metres of bitumen. Oh, and the occasional party.

[Does running with alcohol count as exercise?]

So if you're new to running, I'm here to tell you that I know how you feel. I've been in your shoes before. I'm not one of those naturally gifted runners you see running like a gazelle in Centennial Park. To give you an idea, the first run I ever did lasted about 6 minutes. It went a little something like this:

[How I thought I looked]

[How I actually looked]

Fast forward to 2016 and this year marks my fourth program coaching for Can Too. This time, I have a group of 18 runners who are doing a relay for the SMH Half Marathon in May. For those of you who don't know what Can Too is, it's a not-for-profit organisation who train people for swimming, running and triathlon events. In exchange for a program and two coached sessions a week, participants fundraise for cancer research with 100% of the money raised going directly to Cure Cancer Australia. One program alone can fund a researcher for 12 months!

I've taught in gyms before. I've trained countless clients one-on-one. But Can Too has by far been the most rewarding experience and I urge anyone who is thinking about running to give it a go. The one thing I love about Can Too is no matter how fit or unfit you feel, it is such a supportive environment to train in. I am always so inspired by the people that join this program, and the group I have at the moment is no different. Everyone has a story, all 18 of them, and they really are the most amazing bunch of people. 

This year, we decided to showcase all of our runners under a segment called Humans of Can Too (based on the very popular Humans of New York). You can read more about their inspiring stories on my Instagram page here (or do an Instagram search for #HumansOfCanToo). We will showcase a couple of people each week until the program finishes in the middle of May.

[Some of our amazing Humans of Can Too, North Pod - SMH relay]

I cannot express how much respect I have for the people who choose to fundraise for this cause. As a coach, there is nothing more humbling than watching people 
fall in love with running. Learning how to run as an adult takes so much courage. For most people, it is completely out of their comfort zone. A bit like me doing Zumba for the first time.

[Me, if I ever did Zumba]

I'll never forget the first week we did our long run. At the end of the 3km, some of them were saying it was the furthest they had ever run without stopping. Quote of the day was from Sophie: "I can't believe I ran 3km and didn't hate it!" 

[YIEW]

Each week, this hardcore group of 18 runners push themselves further and further, and get closer to their goal of completing distances they never thought they could do. These are the people who inspire me to run.

So if you're out running in Sydney on a Saturday morning, and you see someone in a bright orange Can Too shirt, give them some love, or maybe a high five and let them know how amazing they are.

Here's to the Humans of Can Too!

To read more about how you can support this amazing organisation, click here.

For coaching opportunities with Can Too, email info@cantoo.org.au.