Bio for Ann Dallinger-Pickthall

Click Here for Ann's Secure Donation Page to the Canadian Cancer Society!

1st Time at Ironman Canada!

BIO FOR ANN DALLINGER-PICKTHALL 

Hello. My name is Ann. For more than two decades now, I have been caring for individuals and families living with cancer. As a registered nurse and a new civilian team member, I am truly honoured to be a part of the Ironcops Team B.C.!

Sadly, I lost my own mother to cancer several years ago, and my father to renal failure just eleven months later. I will run the Penticton Ironman 2008 in their memory. I know that they would be very proud.

My interest in triathlon began so many years ago as the world watched Julie Moss crawl across the Hawaii Ironman finish line. I was fascinated and perplexed. I wondered what would make someone want to do that? At the time, I was training regularly and finding success with marathons. I had rock-climbed in Yosemite Valley, soloed the West Coast Trail and hiked rim to rim in the Grand Canyon. But the thought of combining swimming, cycling and running was beyond what I would have thought possible . Still, the seed of "ironman wannabe" had been planted!

It would take me nearly twenty years to realize this dream. Each day, now, I check the Ironman Canada countdown clock, hoping to motivate myself to ignore the fingerprints on the mirrors and the overflowing laundry pails...and just go out and train.

As my three-time Ironman finisher husband stands by my side, and my two remarkable children remind me not to eat more dessert "because extra weight will make Richter Pass harder", I feel incredibly thankful for this opportunity. Yes, there will be challenges.

Fear of open water is certainly the biggest. Balancing motherhood, work and training is yet another challenge. But...none of my challenges are as monumental as those faced by families with cancer.

It is my wish that I cross the Ironman finish line with a smile. It is my goal to mirror the courage and spirit I have seen in so many cancer survivors. It is my dream to thank each Ironman volunteer and Ironcop supporter personally. And, at the end of that amazing day, I will watch the Ironman fireworks on the beach with my family, knowing that  I have made a difference..

Thank you for your support. There is no donation, either time or money, that is too small...it all makes a difference.

See you in Penticton!

UPCOMING EVENTS

• Santa Shuffle (with the family
• Resolution Run (with family)
• volunteer for First Half-Half Marathon            
• Historic Half Marathon
• Vancouver Intl. Marathon
• Ironmountain 1/2 Ironman
• IRONMAN CANADA