So, why did I take on the Ironman challenge to help raise money for MS? 

One of my passions is children and when I was reading about MS and learned that it is the most common neurological disease in young adults – it definitely needs a stronger awareness. 

My best girlfriend’s mother was diagnosed with MS about 25 years ago, making it a lot closer than you realize.

The third reason is being born and raised in Penticton, I have always wanted to try the Ironman, but there was never that actual push. 

Steve Meehan, CEO of Investment Planning Counsel, challenged me to compete with him or should I say goaded me on as he knows I am competitive, after all, I did beat him on the 100km ride for the Healing Cycle. 

So when Steve brought this challenge to the table and doing it for such a great cause, how could I refuse?

I started training for the Ironman in the middle of February and I am so nervous. 

Some people train for this event for over a year, so what makes me think I can do it?

How do you even get started to train for such an event? 

The first thing I did was hire a coach as I had no idea what or how I would even tackle such an endurance event.  I went to Impact Multisport Coaching and asked if they would take me on as a client. 

I think, after a great amount of thought, they said we will take a look and let you know.  Olly Piggin, from Impact agreed, not sure if it was voluntary, to become my coach. 

He has designed a personalized training program for me, we are trying to get my body and mind learning the three new sports I am taking on.  The biggest challenge has been learning to be patient, relaxed and efficient as I am slowly learning all three sports to meet this challenging endurance event.  

I am not sure if Olly knew what he was getting into taking me on as a client but he is starting to now!

I am an accountant and I have been working as a Compliance Officer for Investment Planning Counsel for the past 10 years.  I love my boys and I love my career. 

So why does a person who sits at a desk all day decide to take on a challenge such as the Ironman? 

For me it started on New Year’s Eve 2001.  I was sitting at home all by myself and as I was feeling sorry for myself I thought – why would I be sitting here feeling sorry for myself?  I am healthy, my boys are healthy, and I realized how lucky I was. 

That is when I made a New Year’s Resolution. In some way, I was going to give back to society.  I didn’t know just what I was going to do, however I knew an opportunity would present itself and I would be available. 

Well, two years later, January 2003, our company put out a challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and raise money for ‘Make A Wish’, which is a foundation that benefits children with life threatening illnesses. 

What an opportunity!  Not only was I going to jump off the wheel and challenge myself after  having done nothing active in years, but work towards giving back by raising money for a child with a life threatening illness.

In 2004 I continued to look for challenges that would bring a greater awareness and hopefully make a difference in people’s lives.  I climbed Mount Aconcagua for the South Okanagan Community Foundation raising funds that would benefit children of the Okanagan. 

In 2005 I took on the weekend walk for St. Margaret’s Hospital for Cancer Research. 

It was in 2008 that I decided on another challenge again, a company initiative, to take part in a 100km bicycle ride ‘The Healing Cycle’ for palliative care.  I had not ridden a bike since I was about 13 years old.  I had recently lost a great friend to colon cancer and for her and her family, palliative care was invaluable.

So, why did I take on the Ironman challenge to help raise money for MS? 

To Be Continued……