Nuala Moore

I discovered long time ago when the pain hits that you can’t cry, and run-crying and swim-crying is even harder as your goggles fill up so I stopped having tantrums. I relax and just enjoy every moment. For me it’s all about getting there.

 

In sport, we chose our battles and select events. The last two years I have been on the perimeter of cancer with two very close friends; life has been very humbling. To me, they are the true endurance athletes. Their battle lines change every morning, but their actions are beyond inspirational; their strength, herculean. Their determination & their struggles, every step uncertain yet their need to smile and be positive through the pain has been the greatest learning experience. Thankfully they are both recovering.

 

In 2003, I travelled to Chicago to do my first triathlon--the Olympic distance--the most I had ever run prior was the length of a field. For the 10k, my mind I kept running that field.  The loud shouts, “looking good 4194!” I looked like the Blueberry Girl in the Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, but the crowds didn’t see that. They saw someone who was trying.  Crossing the line in Chicago was the greatest sporting high I have ever experienced.  Chicago is very special to me for that reason. Belief is everything.

 

This April I will complete a half marathon, I still don’t run but I will find a way and get there.  In August I have been accepted to compete in the Lake Zurich 26.4km solo swim.

 

To cross that line we may think we look less because we struggle, but actually we look greater. Most times it’s just being humble and taking an extra bit of pain. It’s always possible to get there. What happens between today and my finish line is entirely up to me.

 

I will be channeling my efforts to help Endure to Cure in 2011 by raising funds to help our team fully fund a two-year survivorship study at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.  This is allowing me my responsibility to help.  We can put man on the moon, we try to guesstimate the value of a carbon footprint and we have to believe that some day we will find a cure.  We must keep trying.  If you would like to support me, support Endure to Cure, and support finding cures for children battling cancer, then that would be great and much appreciated; every contribution helps.

 

Thanks,

Nuala