Point Cook’s Adam McCarthy had to draw on his inner strength to beat cancer.
Now he faces a new challenge: a 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride and 42.2km run at the Ironman Australia triathlon on May 1.
The 42-year-old completed his first ironman in 2013, but four months later he found himself in a doctor’s surgery being told he had testicular cancer.
“I went a little numb just trying to process it all,” McCarthy said. “I could hear the doctor talking, but I can’t remember what he said.”
During his preparation for Ironman Melbourne in 2013, McCarthy had felt a growing pain in his groin, but he put it down to the long hours spent on the bike.
“After a chat with my doctor and a physical examination, he told me I had nothing to worry about,” McCarthy said. “But I knew there was more to it and insisted on more tests.”
McCarthy sought a second opinion, a move he credits to heightened awareness of what your body is feeling when training for an ironman.
Now, in an effort to raise awareness around early detection, McCarthy is chasing the grand slam of ironman triathlons involving six races in 12 months.
He completed Ironman New Zealand in March and will now do Ironman Australia, the Asia-Pacific championship in Cairns, Ironman WA and, finally, make a return visit to New Zealand in 2017.
“I’m looking to gain greater exposure to my cause, to share my story and encourage everyone to go and have that five-minute chat with their doctor,” he said.
McCarthy has set up a gofundme page to raise funds for testicular cancer research.
For more about McCarthy, and to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/zt3tnz84
