The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Brook, Jeremy and Elliana Woodward © The Woodward Family

"I wanted to work with the best possible people to achieve the greatest impact…I am so excited to participate in the Ironman with The Nature Conservancy." 

Jeremy Woodward

Jeremy successfully completed the IRONMAN! Check out an update from Lake Placid!

FUNDRAISING UPDATE: Thanks to the incredible generosity of members, family and friends, Jeremy has surpassed his goal of $140,600! 

2.4-mile swim … 112-mile bike ride … 26.2-mile run. Most of us crumple at the thought of any one of those activities. Now try doing all three, in a row, in fewer than 17 hours. Sounds impossible, right?

That’s just what Jeremy Woodward likes about it. That’s why he’s training for the 2010 Ford Ironman in Lake Placid. And he’s doing it not just for himself, but for nature, specifically The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire.

"I  wanted to work with the best possible people to achieve the greatest  impact," says Jeremy. "I am so excited to participate in the Ironman  with The Nature Conservancy.”

Jeremy hopes to raise at least $140,600 for the Conservancy – that’s $1,000 for every mile of the Ironman. His ultimate goal is even greater. “My goal is to be the top fundraiser,” Jeremy says, “and get The Nature Conservancy an extra $10,000 in incentive bonus from Janus.”

From Hospital Bed to Training Wheels

With his passion for life, people and nature, it is hard to believe that just two years ago Jeremy was battling for his very life.

Jeremy underwent his second open heart surgery in nine years and after working against very difficult odds (injury while training for or participating in the Ironman competition could have dire consequences) gained approval from his doctors and trainers to participate in the Ironman.

Jeremy’s formal triathlon training began September 28th and will continue through the Ironman set for July 25, 2010 in Lake Placid.

A Passion for People and Nature

“A lot of people ask why I don’t choose a charity that relates directly to what I’ve been through,” says Jeremy. “I really wanted to stay local and have significant impact here in New Hampshire.”

Jeremy met New Hampshire’s state director Daryl Burtnett when, through his personal training business, he assisted in Daryl’s recovery from a running injury. It was through meeting Daryl and subsequently the New Hampshire staff that he decided The Nature Conservancy was the charity he wanted to support. 

“Daryl’s passion for  protecting land is so strong and everyone at the Conservancy is so committed to preserving nature in this state," explains Jeremy.

"Protecting all of our  great natural resources now, and continuing to do so through these [Ironman]  events, will ensure that my daughter’s generation will have the chance to experience the wonders of our state that inspire me today."

Follow Jeremy’s Journey

Over the next eight months The Nature Conservancy will follow Jeremy on his journey to Ironman USA. We’ll be posting updates on his progress and videos of his training on our website.

Additionally you can follow Jeremy on Facebook and read his blog.

Exciting plans are in the works to get our members up close and personal with Jeremy, including an Earth Day outing in April and “Bon Voyage” event in July as he departs for Lake Placid.

Let the 140.6 journey begin