Elizabeth Shirt

I have made the easy decision to raise funds in support of the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

Like far too many of us, cancer has had a profound effect on my life and on the lives of my loved ones.

In December 2015, just 16 months after we were married, my late husband Tony passed away after a year long battle with a rare form of colon cancer. Tony was an amazing father to five beautiful children. He was a wonderful brother, friend, colleague, teammate, and partner. He was a proud Cree man from Saddle Lake, Alberta, and he was a man of strong faith. He left us far too soon.

In January 2016, my close friend Vicky suggested I train with her for a Half Ironman race - consisting of a 1.9 km swim (1.2 miles), 90 km bike (56 miles), and 21.1 km run (13.1 miles). It was something positive to focus my energy on, and the heavy workouts meant that most nights when I fell into bed, I couldn't help but do anything but sleep. For those first few difficult months, my family, my work and my training kept me going. Triathlon was an important part of my healing journey.

In July 2016 I completed my first half Ironman - the Great White North Triathlon in Stony Plain, Alberta. My family was there to run the chute with me and cheer me across the finish line. It was another life-changing moment.

In summer of 2017 I completed four triathlons in as many months - two half ironman and two standard distances. In 2018 life required that I take a training break, but in summer 2019 I completed two more half Ironman triathlons - the Great White North again, and the Calgary 70.3. My family and friends once again cheered me across the finish line.

Triathlon gave me strength and courage at a time in my life when I needed it most. I made a decision that year that it was time for me to use Triathlon to give back.

So in 2020, I made the commitment to complete my first full Ironman, and use my training journey to raise funds for those living with Cancer. But then… Covid. Like every single one of us, the pandemic disrupted my plans. However, 2020 also brought about new plans… I’ve moved to Vancouver to (finally!) be with my amazing fiancé, I’ve started a new and incredibly fulfilling job, and I’ve found an amazing new city in which to train!

And now, after a year of waiting…it’s finally going to happen.

On September 26, 2021 I will once again have the opportunity to complete my first full Ironman in Penticton, BC - a 3.8 km (2.4 mile) swim, 180 km (112 mile) bike, and 41 km (26.2 mile) run. And I'm once again inviting my friends, family, the triathlon community, others who's worlds have been rocked by cancer, and anyone else who'd like to come along for the ride to be a part of my triathlon journey by supporting others who are battling cancer.

You can show your support by clicking the ‘donate today’ button. Your donations will go to those with the greatest need - from blanket warmers and helping patients transition back into their community after treatment – to ground-breaking research and leading-edge treatments.

Thank you for visiting my page, and for your support. If you'd like to join my Ironman journey, follow @iron_lizzie on Instagram or follow "Iron Lizzie's Ironman Journey" Page on Facebook.

Elizabeth / Iron_Lizzie

Thank you for making life better for Albertans and their families facing cancer.