Big Money, NO WHAMMIES! - Chuck's Ironman Request:

OKay, so here’s the deal … I am about to try my best at something great, which many (including myself at various times on a daily basis) consider to be extremely crazy, and I actually want everyone I know to be included in the fun!  The best part about it for you is that you don’t even have to get up out of your seat to help.

I am going to finish my first/last IRONMAN! 

Yep, that’s right.  I did not stutter on the computer.  Under the excellent tutelage of Centre College Football Coach Patrick Carter Conley since mid-December of 2009, I have been completing weekly workouts (rough roughly 16+ hours total and 6 days per week of all the swimming, biking, and running that one sane person can ever imagine).  With the date soon approaching, August 29th, 2010, in Louisville, Kentucky, I came up with a good karma idea that would give me a little more motivation to complete this whole ordeal and at the same time allow others to benefit from it.

Here’s the deal:

**I am going to complete this crazy little thing called Ironman.

**You, if you have a moment and some change to spare, will hopefully do the following:

1. Go to this link- http://www.campusforacure.org/donate
2. Enter a dollar amount where it says to do so.
3. Follow the secure instructions to complete your donation online or mail a check to the mailing address shown online as well.

Here’s the outcome:

After I get my post-race massage, a few IV’s to replenish my fluids and sanity lost during the race, I will sleep well knowing that I did something great, which many consider to be extremely crazy, and dream my next dream well knowing that I have friends that care about how I do.  Now you may be asking yourself, “Self, what is Chuck doing with the money I donated?”  Good question.  My friends are so smart!

From this date, until after I write about my Ironman adventure as soon as I am able to move my fingers on a keyboard and think clearly soon after the race, all of the money donated (whether it is $2 or $20,000) will be split evenly and given to two unknowing and deserving families in Nashville, TN and Louisville, KY that have someone in their families currently battling Cancer.  I have recruited two of my good friends that work in the medical fields in both locations with people in dire circumstances to pin-point two candidates for such a donation.  And the best part about it, aside from them getting a check to help their situations from our non-profit, Adventures Inside a Campus for a Cure, Inc., it will be an anonymous donation.  In that regards, they will know that they are not alone in their courageous fight against Cancer, and that many people out there want them to feel inspired by the power of love. 

I will write to everyone letting you know how much money is raised in the end and also how the race goes (hopefully with 2 major facts included: I finished under 17 hours and I survived).  I must say first/last Ironman because my wife calls it, and rightfully so, “our Ironman.”  Unless you have done one, you have no idea how much time and energy the training alone takes on your body, mind, soul, and family.  Trust me, it’s a lot!  That being said, all you have to do to help make this Ironman idea a success is follow the directions to the deal above, share this link/story with others you think might care to donate or spread the word to help people in need, and you can do it all without even getting out of the seat from which you are reading this from right now! 

Thank you for your time.  Please know that the thought of this idea and the thought of you helping me do this has really inspired me on the days that I had little to no inspiration to finish this crazy little dream.

Remember, nothing but good can come from good.
Be good.  Be great.  Be YOU!

Much love,
Chuck Beard
www.wordsbychuck.com