We Do It For Lou

Welcome to my page! I hope you read my story below and are inspired to join me in the fight against ALS by contributing toward my goal of $10,000! Net proceeds will support ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) research, education, screening and treatment. The words of Bob Wolfley, one of the expansion consultants who helped us  to found our chapter of Phi Delta Theta at Northeastern University, always remain in my head, "Be Better". This is a motto that I've adopted and it will push me through the tough workouts that lie ahead.

I was never a runner. During my senior year of high school, I weighed 240 lbs and running two laps around  the courts before practice was too much for me, so I often cut those runs short. As I  entered my sophomore year of college, down to 210 lbs., I ran a 5K in the fall and then my brother registered my sister and I for the Hyannis Half Marathon as a Christmas gift. As a result of enjoying the 5K, I decided to take on the challenge of 13.1, and though it was a  very difficult day (intense rains and puddles resulted in a lost toenail and I had never run that distance before, which resulted in a lot of post-run pain), I managed to finish just under 2:04:00 and had caught the bug. 

I signed up for another half that spring, followed by one in Sydney, Australia during my time studying abroad. As I returned to the US and ran the one-year-anniversay half of  my first - also showing a 12 minute improvement over the previous year's effort - I decided it was time to try something bigger. My brother (who as you might guess is a HUGE inspiration) was registered for the Providence marathon so I decided to join him. At the time, I didn't know what it required to run a full marathon, so I just did a few 5-milers during the week and a long run on Sundays, up to 21 miles at the longest. As a result of this sub-optimal training and lacking knowledge of proper pre-race nutrition along with having never run 26.2, I finished in 4:38:52, after a lot of walking, pain, and a couple bathroom breaks.

I was very lucky to have the chance to do a co-op (6-month internship through NU) in France this past  July, where I also decided to push myself to properly train for a marathon. During my first month, I registered for the marathon in Valencia, Spain, which was 3 months out, and subscribed to Hanson's Marathon Method. I didn't know what type of time I was capable of, so I decided to aim big and try to beat my PR by 1 hour, 20 minutes, shaving over 3 minutes off the pace of my first marathon. The 50+ mile weeks really got me in tune with my body and nutrition  and as a result, I achieved my very challenging goal, running Valencia in 3:19:54 (7:34 pace vs. 10:39). 

As  I considered my athletic future, I identified the Iron Phi program of my fraternity, which promotes the ALS Association by  encouraging brothers to 1) Raise $1,000  for the ALS Association and 2) Complete an athletic event. So I thought, Iron Phi.. why not an Ironman? I registered for Ironman 70.3 Syracuse on June 20th, 2015 and Ironman Lake Placid (If you're not familiar with Ironman, the distances are: 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 (marathon) run for a total of 140.6 miles in succession) to be held  July 26th, 2015. I  decided to do something during my final semester of college truly testing of my mental and physical strength for those who no longer have the capability to do so - as the effects of ALS  remove that freedom from the lives of those it touches. I also learned about the opportunity to raise  money for the ALS Association and run the Boston Marathon. After the tragic events of 2013, which affected so many friends and loved ones who were in attendance, I decided to pledge myself to raise the money so I could combine  my passions for fundraising, running, and  inspiring others to  take on truly  challenging experiences to surprise themselves with the life-changing results. 

With your help, I will use my training to enable the ALS Association to continue helping patients, develop new treatments, and one day - find a cure. Donations by US residents are tax-deductible. You can make a donation on this page by clicking on the "Make a Gift" link below the thermometer.

I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts - and be inspired to try something you might never have thought possible. From the 210-pound freshman I was just a few years ago to now approaching my third marathon (all in the last year) and first Ironman, I have continued to believe in the power of strong will, and this mentality continues to prove successful in pushing myself to beome the greatest version of myself.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Please also become a fan of my Facebook page to keep up to date with my training progress: https://www.facebook.com/IronmanIronPhi

Best Wishes and Happy Trails,
Eric Hudson