HomeJacob Kingdon
Wisconsin Beta - Lawrence University
My Iron Phi Story
Help Me to Raise Money for a Great Cause!
If you had asked me a year ago, whether or not I would consider running a marathon, I would have set down my mountain dew and twinkie and laughed. Through hard work and discipline, I am fifty pounds lighter today and in much better shape. While I started my weight loss journey for myself, I am now taking it to the next step in order to help others who are in need.
This year, I'll be attempting to become an Iron Phi - a distinction given to a small percentage of members within my Fraternity. The mission of Iron Phi is to strengthen the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity and the impact it has on the fight against Lou Gehrig's disease through the fundraising and athletic efforts of its members. Lou Gehrig was a member of Phi Delta Theta, and our organization has taken an active role in finding a cure.
The net proceeds will support ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research, education, screening and treatment. It will also help strengthen an organization (Phi Delta Theta) that has had a lasting impact on my life.
I will be participating in the 4-Person Relay at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 2, 2010. Running with me will be Sean Wagner (OH Mu, Widener), Ben Fair (IN Alpha, Indiana University), and Jon Collier (IN Epsilon, Hanover). Together we will be completing a full marathon and raising over $4,000! Team Fat Guy may not look like anything special, but I assure you, we are a force to be reckoned with.
According to The ALS Association's web site, approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. That's why I'm becoming an Iron Phi. To do something bold about Lou Gehrig's disease.
I've set my personal goal at $1,000. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation to aid me in my cause? You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer. You can also send me a check made out to Iron Phi at 2 South Campus Avenue, Oxford, OH 45056 if you'd rather donate that way.
I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
Sincerely,
Jacob Kingdon
Wisconsin Beta
#1407
My Personal Web Log
Topics
I did it!
Noticed that I didn't update my page after the race. The race went well. I completed the 1st leg of the relay (about 6.8 miles) in one and a half hours. As a team we completed the race in just under 5 hours. It was a lot of fun despite the torrential downpour and lightning during the first hour of the race. I hit my goal of $1,000, but have decided to take on a few more events to help reach the $2,000 level. I plan to start training for a 52 mile bike ride once things settle down a bit. Thanks to everyone who helped me achieve my goal and I really appreciate everyone's support.
by Jacob Kingdon on Thu, Jun 03, 2010 @ 12:01 PM
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4 days left
The race is sunday and I am still a ways away from my goal. I need to reach $1000 before race day, but will continue to fundraise afterward to get to $2000. Please help support me as I make one last effort before race day. Thanks!
by Jacob Kingdon on Tue, Apr 27, 2010 @ 1:17 PM
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One month left!
Its been a while since I last updated my blog.
The auction idea flopped, so I am planning to put everyone's name somewhere on my running shorts as I run my part of the marathon to remind me of all those who are supporting me in my adventure.
I ran 4 miles tonight... getting so much closer to my 6.8 mile goal, but still have a ways to go with fundraising. Please help me reach my $2,000 goal by donating anything you can to help fight Lou Gehrig's disease.
by Jacob Kingdon on Tue, Apr 06, 2010 @ 9:06 PM
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Auction
Hi All,
Its been a while since I have given you an update on my training and fund raising. I am currently on a 5-day a week workout program. Can't wait to start running outside. Things are going well and I am confident that by race day, I will be able to run the entire race.
In order to kickstart the fund raising, I have decided to start auctioning off parts of my running shorts for people's names or a short phrase. Yesterday, Amy Hollister won the real estate on my rear end.
today's auction is for the front part of my right thing. The first five people to donate by 10:00pm EST on Friday, March 18 will get a spot on my thigh. You can place your name, business name, or a short phrase to be shown off on race day. Thanks!
by Jacob Kingdon on Thu, Mar 18, 2010 @ 9:01 AM
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Update
Had my first two sessions with my personal trainer this week and my legs feel like jello. I have been set up on a 5-day a week workout plan and should be able to reach my 6.8 mile goal by May 2nd. The workouts are going well and it has been fun seeing progress.
On a fundraising note. I am falling behind. I am now in 3rd place, with both Steve Good and Justin Dandoy surpassing the $1,000 mark this week. If you have not had a chance to donate yet, please consider making a small donation. Any little bit helps.
Thanks everyone!
Jacob
by Jacob Kingdon on Thu, Mar 04, 2010 @ 10:20 AM
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Personal Trainer
While my training is going well, I thought I would kick it up a notch. I have decided to get a personal trainer to help get me on track for the race in May, but also to begin preparing me for future races. I begin my training with my trainer on Monday and I can't wait to get started.
Still have a ways to go with fundraising. Every little bit helps and goes toward a great cause. Thanks again to all of my supporters.
by Jacob Kingdon on Thu, Feb 25, 2010 @ 9:02 PM
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Training Update
Training is going well this week. Ran 2.25 miles yesterday and another 2.5 miles tonight. My legs are getting stronger, but my lungs need some work. Improving every day!
I am over 40% of the way to my goal and can still use your help to reach my $2,000 goal. Thanks for your support!
by Jacob Kingdon on Tue, Feb 23, 2010 @ 9:13 PM
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12 mile challenge
This week I have set a goal to run a total of 12 miles over 5 days. I hope to increase my continuous run distance from 2.25 miles to 3 miles by the end of the week. This will put me almost half way to my goal of 7 miles with 10 weeks left to train.
Also, quick update on the fundraising. I am now over 40% of the way to my $2,000 goal thanks to all of my donors. I appreciate your support.
by Jacob Kingdon on Mon, Feb 22, 2010 @ 9:05 AM
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Training Update
Ran 2.25 miles tonight at a 13 min/mile pace. Pretty good for a fat kid! By next week I hope to be running at least 2.50 miles. It gets easier every day.
by Jacob Kingdon on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 @ 7:56 PM
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#1
Thanks to everyone who has donated. I am currently in 1st place in fundraising and have set a personal goal to be the first person to reach $1,000. With your help, I can get there! Thanks!
by Jacob Kingdon on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 @ 7:52 PM
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Welcome
welcome to my personal fundraising page and personal blog. I hope to give you updates every couple days on my fundraising efforts and training progress. Thanks to everyone who has supported me in my quest to become an Iron Phi!
by Jacob Kingdon on Thu, Feb 18, 2010 @ 7:50 PM
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How Does My Donation Make a Difference?
Your donation towards an Iron Phi athlete equally supports two very important things: Supporting ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) through research and support of ALS families and leadership development for undergraduate members of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
At the end of each year calendar year, the LiveLikeLou Foundation grants dollars raised through Iron Phi to fund its initiatives that support ALS research, scholarships to support the higher education goals of ALS dependents, and summer camp experiences for children who have a parent or grandparent with ALS.
Dollars used for undergraduate leadership development have and continue to help Phi Delta Theta educate more of its undergraduate members as they work to “Become the Greatest Version of Themselves.”
