Put your best foot forward
Running the Virgin London Marathon 2010
Team YMCA event guide
efforts from your side to assist us in fundraising and to make us feel part of the team!
“
“
Thanks for all the great
Nico and Esme Botha, YMCA marathon runners
36,000 hopefuls, one ambition. Crowds cheer; flags wave. The YMCA song blares out as you fly through mile 6. Runners all around you raise their hands to form those legendary letters. You turn into the Mall. The atmosphere is electric. You see the banner stretched ahead of you: ‘385 yards to go’. The cheers, the colours, the anticipation spur you on. You cross the line, goosebumps covering the whole of your body. You wave a weary hand, grinning from ear to ear. You’ve done it. You’re a marathon runner.
Running the London Marathon is an experience you’ll never forget. Run it with the YMCA and we’ll go the distance with you. Ready? Set? Then get ready to put your best foot forward…
Our charity places have all been snapped up, but if you know someone who has been lucky enough to get a spot on the starting line through the ballot, we’d love for them to join Team YMCA.
There’s no doubt about it, running the London Marathon is a life-changing experience, and we’re not just talking about life-changing for you… Every step you take, and every pound you earn will change the lives of young people forever… So when your muscles ache and the miles seem to drag, remember that every pound you raise could mean the promise of better futures for young people in need: Just of your sponsorship money could provide a young homeless person with a street survival kit, consisting of warm clothes, toiletries and food. When you pass that first landmark of you could be helping to fund the cost of running a workshop in woodwork, plastering, painting & decorating, plumbing or electrics, helping a young person gain valuable skills to move forward in their lives. A bit further into your fundraising and could be paying for the delivery of 20 homelessness prevention sessions in schools, helping to break the cycle of youth homelessness before it happens. Reach the mark and you could fund family mediation sessions for 3 families, helping them to solve their problems and stay together. Your minimum sponsorship target of when you reach it could fund specialist IT training to teach young people employment skills.
In short, by running the London Marathon for the YMCA, you’ll be helping young people build a future.
Physically completing the marathon may be down to you, but we’re here to make sure you hit the ground running. Before the big day As a YMCA runner you’ll receive: • Dedicated support from our fundraising team •
Email tips and tricks to support you in your training starting in January 2010
•
A special YMCA runner’s vest to help you stand out proudly in the crowd (included with this pack)
•
Details about www.justgiving.com where you can set up your very own fundraising page to help the pounds come rolling in.
During the run •
The boisterous cheers of rowdy YMCA staff and supporters cheering you on
•
The joy of reaching mile 6 and hearing the YMCA song in all its glory, while runners all around you do the legendary dance.
In the triumph of success •
Entry to the post-race reception for YMCA runners, where friends, family and YMCA staff will be on hand to celebrate your success
•
A relaxing massage to help ease those aching limbs
•
A certificate to commemorate your achievement.
“I’ve raised money for other charities which make you feel like a number, but the YMCA treats its fundraisers as real, special individuals. The YMCA is the most appreciative charity I have ever worked with and it was a real pleasure to raise money for them.”
Mark Kennedy, YMCA marathon runner
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Don’t be shy! Ask everyone you know to sponsor you and get them to spread the word. Emails can often get forgotten, so don’t feel bad about sending gentle reminders. Set up a fundraising site at www.justgiving.com and watch the pounds roll in. Enjoy yourself! You may feel tired and sore but no doubt you’re feeling fit and looking great! Don’t assume a marathon is a walk in the park. It will require several months of dedicated training to complete so be realistic. Remember to keep your fuel tank full! A good diet high in carbohydrates along with plenty of water will help give you that extra boost. Learn a bit about the YMCA so you can tell people how their sponsorship could help young people.
7.
Treat yourself to some nice muscle soak to ease your weary limbs after training.
8.
Ask your employer to match the amount you raise.
9.
Wear in your running vest before the big day and remember to apply Vaseline to any bits that might chafe.
10. Publicise your running in the local media. Give your local rag and radio a ring and if at first you don’t succeed, be persistent!
11. Mix up your training schedule with long and short runs in different locations. The variety will keep it more fun. (We will provide you with a full training schedule, and additional guides are available from www. virginlondonmarathon.com).
12. Recruit some cheerleaders to join the ranks of YMCA supporters. It’s always a buzz to see a familiar face in the crowd. 13. Set up a sweepstake on anything from how long it will take you to complete the race to how many blisters you end up with! 14. Hold a car boot sale for all that old junk you’ve been meaning to get rid of. You could even ask friends, family or neighbours if they have unwanted items they’d like to donate. 15. Get more for their money by making sure your sponsors sign up for Gift Aid (if they’re eligible). 16. Missing a training run isn’t the end of the world, but try and get into the routine of running regularly. 17. Stretch your muscles properly before and after you run to prevent unnecessary strain or injury. 18. Get online and start a running blog, or publicise your efforts through Facebook or Twitter. Don’t forget to become a fan of the YMCA at www.facebook.com/ theYMCA and chat to other YMCA runners.
19. Do a raffle at your local pub or work and ask local shops to donate prizes. 20. Your feet are special. Take care of them by wearing a pair of decent running shoes. 21. Make a playlist of upbeat, inspiring tunes that match your running pace and help to put a spring in your step. 22. Keep a training log to track your progress. Seeing how you’re improving will add to your sense of achievement. 23. If you get a stitch, stop running completely, bend down and touch your toes. Avoiding food and warming up properly will help avoid the dreaded stitch. 24. After the race, make sure to give yourself adequate time to recover. Don’t assume you’ll be fighting fit to go back to work on Monday morning! 25. Don’t eat immediately before you run. Leave about an hour before pounding the streets to avoid feeling ill. 26. If you start to feel disheartened, remember the young people whose lives could be changed through your efforts. 26.2 It may not seem like much, but at the end of a marathon, .2 of a mile can feel like a lifetime. Soak up the cheers and keep going. You’re going all the way!
Thank you for joining Team YMCA – together we’ll make 2010 a year you’ll never forget. For more information visit www.events.ymca.org.uk.
For support and help at any stage please contact: John Stanghon Email: john.stanghon@england.ymca.org.uk Direct line: 0207 061 3372