I'm Fundraising in Support of SickKids!
The True Ironman: Jaime Zaharias
August 2026, I'm taking on the Ironman Ottawa: a grueling 3.8 KM swim, a 180 KM bike, and a 42.2 KM marathon. But the person whose strength I'll be channeling on race day is my cousin, Jaime, who faced a far more brutal endurance test.
At 15, she was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing Sarcoma—a rare cancer affecting only 200 children in North America each year. Her diagnosis was Stage 4, with a prognosis of just 1 year.
Over the next five years, Jaime fought with unimaginable tenacity, undergoing an extremely aggressive regimen of chemotherapy and radiation. She turned one year into five more years of living life to the absolute fullest—traveling, skydiving, concerts and showering her friends and family (and her devoted cats) with unwavering love. Throughout that time she grew closer to my family and I will be forever grateful for her fight and resilience so she could spend more time with us.
Jaime's life was a testament to the "Ironman" spirit. She never let the disease define her. I am competing in her name, as an act of gratitude and remembrance, to raise money for Sick Kids Hospital. Sick Kids was the centre of her universe, the facility that managed her care from the moment she was rushed there in March 2020. Sick Kids - and Jaime's strength and grit - are the reasons our family had more years with this amazing person.
Please consider donating to Sick Kids in remembrance of the amazing Jaime Zaharias.
Any donation of any value generate a charitable donation receipt!
My Event
Saturday 01st AugustOttawa, ON, Canada
My Achievements
My Updates
Update January 27th
Tuesday 27th JanRoad to Ottawa: Building the Engine 🏊♂️🚴♂️🏃♂️
I’m officially in the lab. With the Ottawa Ironman on the horizon this August, I’ve shifted my focus from "staying active" to "purposeful preparation." Currently, I’m clocking about 6–7 hours of volume per week, covering a total distances of 100–120km.
Here’s what the current split looks like:
Running: 2–3x per week (building the aerobic base).
Cycling: 2–3x per week (steady 90-minute spins).
Swimming: 3x per week (reconnecting with the water).
Strength and mobility: Should be more, but doing 1-2 days per week.
Trusting the Data
Starting in early March, the intense work begins. I’m moving into a 22-week structured plan that takes the guesswork out of the equation. This isn't just about logging miles; it’s about:
Heart Rate Discipline
Specific Race Intensity
Phased Loading
The goal isn't just to finish; it’s to show up at the start line in Ottawa knowing I’ve done the work, followed the science, and am ready to deliver my personal best for Jaime and SickKids.
A Quick Reality Check
Nutrition is often considered the 4th discipline of triathlon, so learning how to consume energy on the bike and run has taken some getting used to. Eating and drinking enough calories to sustain the 14-17 hour grind and not "bonk" is an important part of training.
Injury prevention is another significant part of all of this. Because if I get a strain/sprain then I'm done for training while it heals. Injury prevention (and this can't be overstated) is one of the most important parts of the ramp up in volume. I've been guilty in the past of doing too much, too soon and end up with an injury set back. I'm seeing a physiotherapist regularly to keep me on track and to treat some areas of soreness or niggles. I'm doing some dry needling (hurts even worse than it sounds) and activation work to keep me going, and it's been working so far!
I will post more updates as I go!
ShareThank you to my Donors
$1,000
Alisa And Marco Arbour
$1,000
Jasper & Elora
$500
Marlene Arbour
$500
The Campbells
We’ll be with you in spirit every stroke, stride and pedal of the way.
$500
Dominique Arbour
$250
Hunter Lang
Good luck, we will be cheering you on Uncle Neil!
$200
Roche Family (erica, Mike, Alex, Katie, Paul, Rosemary)
Beautifully written message about a beautiful woman! Thank you for this kind gesture to remember Jaime<3
$200
Alanna & Bradley
$200
Lise Vachon
$200
Emilie Arbour
What a beautiful way to honour Jaime! Cheering you on!
$150
Maria Cina
$100
Colin Townsend
$100
Harry And Jean Beatley
$100
Hannah Arbour
What a beautiful tribute! Way to go Neil, we will all be cheering you on!
$100
Andrea Christine
Awesome tribute to an awesome girl!
$100
Lyne Arbour
I hope you reach your goal. I think of Jaime daily.
$100
Marta Generoux
$100
Max And Claire
All the best Neil
$100
Bruce Lang
$100
Martin Curry
Best of Luck
$100
Ada & Family
$100
Ghislaine Arbour
$100
France Spence
$100
Sandy And John Arbour
$100
Leanne Foster
What a fitting tribute to a spirit that was brilliant,, fierce and loving!
$50
Sarah Moreside
$50
Theresa Moreside
With much love and in honour of of you, Jaime Zacharias, the truest and most courageous Iron Woman that there is. I look forward to having the privilege of meeting you one day, Jaime. ✨ You are a ROCK, & you have quietly & profoundly influenced so many. Continue to "carry your family & loved ones", as they continue to carry you deeply in their hearts, for always. We'll done, Neil Lang, routing you on, big time!
$50
Maureen & Danny Clement
What a wonderful testament to beautiful, incredible Jamie. xo
$50
Assunta Young
$50
Matt & Veronica Hilts
$50
David Friess
Get after it Neil!!
$40
Cathy, Matthew And Brandon Miles
Hi Neil, I’m Cathy your mom’s youngest cousin on the Arbour side. We are so unbelievably proud of what you are doing. We support you!!
$30
Sydney Lang
Keep pushing, you got this!
$30
Jackson Lang
$25
Natalie Berecic
$25
Todd, Karla And Bella Smart
Taking on an Ironman Neil is a monumental challenge, and doing it to honour Jaime and to support Sick Kids shows the depth of your heart. Every mile you swim, bike, and run is a tribute to her memory and a beacon of hope for children who need it most. You’re not just racing, you’re making a difference. Keep pushing forward.; you’ve got this!
$25
Sandra Cyr
$25
Keith
$25
Anonymous
$25
Lynne Nolan-thompson
Way to go Neil.
$20
Parker Lang
We miss you!
$10
