Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Your Fundraising Letter

If you have not received the contribution letter from me, please let me know! I emailed it to everyone I have on the participant list at this time.

Saturday 1/31 Run

Group will meet @ 6:30a.m. in front of swimming pools @ Landa this Saturday to do 6.5 miles. Joni will head up the run this week. Come get some miles in, even if you're not doing all of the route!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Contribution letter....

I have your fundraising letter typed and will get that to you ASAP! I am just waiting to receive our URL that will allow donors to contribute online because I want that link included in the letter. You should receive this from me in the next few days so you can begin sending those out!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Saturday's Run 1/24

Group will gather for 5 mile run (with 6.5mi option) @ 7am this Saturday in front of the swimming pools/train at Landa Park. Again, they will stay in the vicinity of the park, so you can head back if you'd like to do less. Go get some miles in!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Fundraising FAQ's

Dear runners, walkers & potential adoptive families,

We have had a terrific response for this ZOOMA Race and many who've indicated they intend to join our Charity Team to raise funds for prospective, adoptive families in the New Braunfels area. I understand that there are a number of questions as to how this will work. Please be patient with me, as we are creating this process for the first time (hallelujah!), as we go. G.R.A.C.E. Adoption Ministry and I are working hard to put this together. I will attempt here to answer some basic questions.

How do I raise funds?
Each Team member will share a contribution letter (provided by us) with friends, families, and businesses. This letter may be customized to share your heart for why you've chosen to be a part of this great cause (running for an adoptive family, running to bring a child home, have an adopted sibling, etc.) or you may use our standard version. You can email this letter or send through US Postal Service.

Who do we make the checks to?
River Stone Community Church. Memo line should read: ZOOMA-"your name" River Stone is a partner of G.R.A.C.E. Adoption Ministry and is serving as an umbrella for our Charity Team. All monies will go towards adoptive families. All contributions will be tax deductible. There will soon be a link at http://www.river-stone.org/ where sponsors may contribute online if they prefer to use a debit or credit card.

How do I collect?
Please use a large manila envelope to collect personal or cashier checks; no cash accepted. If you need a manila envelope, please let me know at jenclord@yahoo.com.

When do we turn the money in?
We will collect all donations from Team members the first week of April at a time & place to be announced in the future.

How is the money distributed?
G.R.A.C.E. is in the process of creating an overseer's board who will direct allocation based upon applicant's needs, finances, family size, etc. The process is similar to that of other grant organizations, such as Shaohanna's Hope, where prospective adoptive families apply for financial assistance. Funding priority will be given, but not limited to, families presenting the greatest need. However, if you are an approved applicant and Team participant, all monies you personally raise will go towards your adoption.

What is the application process?

Please contact Becca Hill at beccarhill@msn.com if you would like to receive an application or with any questions you may have. Applications will be available by January 23, 2009. Applicants must participate in the ZOOMA Race on this Charity Team to be considered for funding. Once you have submitted your application, along with required documentation, your packet will be reviewed by the board to determine approval. Funds will only be directed towards tangible adoption costs.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Strollers in the ZOOMA Race?

Some have wondered if strollers are permitted, and I'm sorry to report they are NOT due to the safety considerations of all runners. Hopefully, this will not affect anyone's participation! Have a friend or family member bring your kiddos to cheer you on....the crowds are a lot of fun.

Saturday's Run

Tomorrow's temps will be in the 40's! I have learned the hard way to use a toboggan & gloves in these temps and take them off during the run if I warm up, but feeling frost-bitten during can really prevent enjoyment! You don't want to be miserable. I drop them somewhere & pick up later or put them in my waistband. Just a suggestion!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Running 5 miles Saturday @ 7:30a.m. We will meet in front of the swimming pools at Landa Park. We will be doing a 4:1 run/walk method (see earlier posts for more info). If you want to do less mileage, you can still join us and head back to Landa when you want to wind down...we will stay near the park. I have a Garmin to track mileage, pace, etc.

Just in case anyone wants to run but needs to do earlier, I am actually starting at 6:30. (I need to do 10 miles for my Feb marathon training). So, let me know if you'd rather join me for the 1st half. Otherwise, I hope to see some of you Saturday @ 7:30!!
We WILL be meeting for a run this Sat a.m., but I don't have the details yet! I will post asap!

Friday, January 9, 2009

Sunday Run

I'm running 10 miles @ 6:30a.m. on Sunday morning if anyone wants to join--even for a portion. You can start w/ me or meet me later in the run. We can plan the locale. Let me know if you're interested!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Training this Saturday, the 10th!

Meet in front of Landa Park swimming pool @ 7am on Saturday for a run. Joni Redding & Alicia Frazier will be there to lead 4 miles. Route will be around Landa, so you don't have to do the entire length, if it's too much right now. But start w/ them & head back when you're done! Good chat time & a way to get the mileage in!

Training Programs

Use the Smart Coach to build your own plan:
http://www.runnersworld.com/

Free Online Training Program through ZOOMA for EVERY level!
http://races.zoomarun.com/training.html

Joni's first training program for the 5k:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

The program several of us used for 1/2 marathon training:
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

Tons of training and nutritional info:
http://www.active.com/running/

Training for the 1/2

I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone interested in running the 1/2 marathon, they order Jeff Galloway's "Training Programs" book...invaluable & a wealth of knowledge about every aspect. Here is the BARE MINIMUM sample schedule for the 1/2:

Mon/Wed: off or walk 30-60 mins
TuesThurs: run/walk 30 mins
Fri/Sun: off
Sat: long run, starting w/ 3 miles; will generally increase 1-1.5 miles per week, sometimes backing down

What does run/walk mean? It is better for your muscles, recovery & overall training to do a run/walk ratio. so, run for 3 mins, walk for 1min. Or run for 4 mins, walk for 1 min. (either 2:1, 3:1 or 4:1) This is galloway's injury-free way & the way I have trained...it has been awesome. It drastically reduces soreness & makes increasing distance much more attainable--I was very sceptical and had no desire to walk but am a believer now. The main thing, is SLOW down. You should run at a very comfortable pace for carrying on a conversation, not panting. It doesn't matter how slow you go; we're not doing this for trophies, we're doing it to finish & bring home orphans!

If run/walk for 30 mins isn't realistic yet, then spread those 60 mins over 3-4 days and do this run/walk ratio for a couple of weeks (i.e., 15 mins 4x or 20 mins 3x). You'll be able to do the 30 mins soon. Best not to run on consecutive days! You must give your legs time to recover. Reserve Saturday or Sunday for your "long."

If it is feasible for you, I'd make your long run 3-4 miles Saturday, the 10th. If not, do what you can and start working a program! Don't overdo it; this is a slow & steady process! Run/Walk 30 mins 2x per week and add a long run on wknds. Below is a sample schedule for your long runs:



Jan 10-3 miles

Jan 17-4 miles

Jan 24-5 miles

Jan 31-6.5 miles

Feb 7-3 miles

Feb 14-8 miles

Feb 21-9.5 miles

Feb 28-4 miles

March 7-11 miles

March 14-4 miles

March 21-12.5 miles

March 28-5 miles

April 4-RACE DAY!

Welcome & Registration!

Welcome Runners & Walkers! We are SO excited to have you as part of our Charity Team for the ZOOMA Race! As you probably know, our team is running to help raise funds for prospective adoptive families in the New Braunfels area. We want to help bring children home! Here is some basic info about the race:

ZOOMA 5k and 1/2 marathon
http://races.zoomarun.com/austin.html
April 4, 2009
Bastrop, TX (just outside of Austin)
Tenative start time: 7:30a.m.

You need to register!
Register under the "New Braunfels Adoption Team " and use the following discount codes:

TEAMAUS131 $10 off half marathon
TEAMAUS5K - $5 off 5K

Each team member will be responsible for gaining financial support...all funds will go towards a number of local families who are pursuing adoption this year. I will provide you with support-raising letters, which may be modified according to your personal story, why you're participating, who you're running for, etc. Please be thinking about your personal circle of friends, families & businesses who may support your endeavors. I encourage you to pray & consider a personal goal for how much money you would like to raise, and I am suggesting that all team members aim for at least $1000. Again, this is only a suggestion; we are grateful for every penny contributed for these families & orphans!