First Fundraising Clinic Information

As noted in our team calendar, we have our First Fundraising Clinic tomorrow at 6:30PM at the CCFA office. The address to our office is 2200 East Devon Ave, Suite 351, Des Plaines, IL 60018. There is ample FREE parking in our lot.

If you cannot make it to our clinic, please feel free to login from your home computer and telephone. You will need internet access to view the presentation on your computer AND call into the conference call hotline to hear the presentation. I will try to record the clinic and provide a link to the presentation in the participant handbook the following day.

Please feel free to BYOD Bring Your Own Dinner to the meeting.

Office: 847-827-0404
Mobile: 646-623-3428
jcross@ccfa.org

https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/invite?id=wq1hma3shxgo

Pictures from our first Vegas 2011 Group Training

Pearl Jam's Mike McCready gives Team Challenge Some Love!

First Training This Saturday!!!

Start your training off right! Join us for our first group training by the Chicago Lake Front.

Time: 7:00 AM
Where: Montrose Harbor, Chicago Lakefront

Western Suburbs Mentor Walk Run, Saturday August 27th
There will be a mentor led walk/run in Batavia, IL on Saturday August 27th led by our fabulous mentor, Angie Kruse.
Time: 8:00AM
Contact Angie Kruse for details. Email : akruseil@comcast.net or call (630) 346-2289.
If you have not gotten your training schedule yet, Please contact coach Brad at krugler@yahoo.com!

Meet Team Illinois Mentor Diana!

Diana Sanguinetti enjoys spending summers in Wisconsin at her family's seasonal campground in Edgerton, kayaking,and Disney trips with her husband and kids. Her son is 17 and her daughters are 5 and 14.

Because of her love for Disney, she signed up for an Inaugural Half at Disney 10/10. She trained to walk it as she is "not a runner." Despite waiting to the last minute to train, she still finished in just under 3 hours! She completed another Disney half using walk/run and finished in 2:33 this past January! Diana completed another half marathon in Wisconsin as a training run for Napa to Sonoma, her first Team Challenge season. She has four half marathons under her belt and just started running in November 2010!

Her next race is Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon in October, and then, of course, Rock & Roll Las Vegas with Team Challenge! She also signed up for the Disney Princess with Team Challenge Alumni in Feb of 2012, putting her one step closer to a goal of the Half Marathons by the end of 2012!

Team Challenge is a perfect fit for Diana. She runs and fundraises for her 14 year old daughter as my daughter who was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in July 2010.

Diana's daughter Courtney was diagnosed at 13. The diagnosis changed her family's life, her own life and her future. But Diana says, "By being involved in Team Challenge, it also changed our lives and by being involved, hopefully helping the outlook on her future. We're raising money and awareness so that one day there is a cure as she becomes an adult. To have witnessed her pain and issues with her disease, I can train and ask people for money, and fundraise. I have the easy task. Managing her Crohn's and doctor appointments is a way of life now... a part of our everyday life... and now so is Team Challenge."

Courtney has also been able to attend and enjoy CCFA's Camp Oasis in Wisconsin for the past 2 years. It is a wonderful program for kids with IBD. Through Camp Oasis, she has made friends and actually met and bunked with a counselor who was also on Team Challenge WI in Napa!

Diana says she's looking forward to this season and being a Mentor. "Having experienced the Napa event with the team and coaches, I'm looking forward to Vegas. While Crohns has become a part of our lives, so has Team Challenge!"

Angela and Dex McCreary Slide Show from Napa

Shoe Guide by Coach Brad

Since we are starting our program before our kickoff party, I wanted to send information regarding the most important gear you will need; SHOES.

You can find the basics here:
http://www.therunningadvisor.com/running_shoes.html

One of the most important aspects to shoe buying and mentioned in this article, is shopping at a running store. Please take this advice (especially if you are new to endurance sports) and head to a local running store. There are numerous in the city and surrounding suburbs. Fleet Feet, Nike store, Dick Pond Athletic, Naperville Running Company to name a few. The staff at these stores are knowledgeable and will understand the dynamics of a proper fit. Most have treadmills and will give you a free gait analysis.

Things to remember for a proper fit:
1. Go to the store in the afternoon or evening. Your feet swell throughout the day will fit differently at this time.
2. Take an old pair of athletic shoes (if you have them) so the staff can see the wear patterns on the tread.
3. Take the type of socks that you normally wear for working out.

Please note: If you are a walker or run/walker this still applies to you. Even though there are several shoes listed as "walking" shoes, it is HIGHLY recommended to purchase a running shoe.

As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Go Team Challenge!!!

Coach Brad

Meet Honoree Ally Bain

Ally has had Crohn’s disease since 2001 when she was 11 years old. For awhile, flare ups and mismanagement of medical care caused her to miss school because she was running to the bathroom, sometimes going as much as 40 times in one day. During high school, she had several surgeries related to her Crohn’s, including one that was due to her colon perforating, resulting in a temporary colostomy, which would allow her colon to heal. Before finding quality medical care, her case of Crohn’s almost killed her. Each day was unpredictable, and she never could have imagined what would happen to her several years later.

When she was 14 years old, she was shopping at a retail store when her Crohn’s began to flare, and she needed to find a restroom immediately. The store did not have public restrooms, so she and her mother spoke with the store manager. While Ally was bent over crying and in pain, he continuously denied her access to the employee-only restroom and claimed he was making a “managerial decision.” After leaving the store, Ally knew this could not happen to her or anyone else again. That day, she contacted her local state representative. Within months, Ally was helping to write legislation that would allow anyone with a medical emergency access to an employee-only restroom. She testified before a committee where it passed unanimously, just as it later did in the Illinois House and Senate. It was signed into law in August 2005 as the Restroom Access Act, more commonly known as “Ally’s Law.” To read more about Ally's Law click here.

With her Crohn’s disease currently in remission and as a senior at Lake Forest College, Ally has continued to spread awareness and has sought passage of the Restroom Access Act in other states. Since 2005, it has passed in eleven other states, and Ally is working to get it introduced on a federal level. Ally has also stayed involved with the CCFA and is an active member of the National Youth Leadership Council as well as a participant of fundraisers and events like Take Steps. She plans to participate in Team Challenge in the near future and is grateful to all who have joined in the cause to help find a cure!

Do you really like us?

Please prove it by clicking "like" on our facebook fan page!
https://www.facebook.com/tcillinois

Breathing Tips for New Runners | Active.com

Breathing Tips for New Runners | Active.com

Fundraising Friendly Businesses

An Easy Way to Fundraise

Jewel Osco has provided Team Challenge with a great fundraising opportunity. If you need that extra push to make your fundraising goa consider canning at your local Jewel- Osco. All you need is our CCFA IRS Determination Letter (available online at the participant handbook), information about CCFA, and can to collect donations! Click Here to access the participant handbook and download all the materials you need to begin your canning event. Login: illinoistc@ccfa.org Password: illinoistc

Call your local Jewel-Osco and begin today!

Other businesses that do "Community Nights" for local charity events:

Pot Belly
Noodles and Company
Chic-fil-a

There are many more local businesses that will help you fundraise by donating a percentage of their evening's proceeds to your cause. You know your neighborhood and your town best, remember to ask when you are out and about!

Coaches Corner: A message from Coach Brad

We have reached to half way mark in our training. Way to go Team Illinois! You have probably reached different milestones in your training that may have seemed impossible 8 weeks ago.
The training programs have now moved into the double digits for our long Saturday workouts. Congratulations to those who completed their first 10 mile workout!

There are few things to keep in mind to be successful during this phase of training.
• Break down the workout- You wouldn’t eat a steak in one bite? Same principle applies completing an endurance event. These longer distances can seem very daunting. Don’t try to wrap your mind around the whole distance. Think about completing the next mile or pick a landmark like a tree, building or telephone pole and getting to that point.
• Now is the time to think about pre-race nutrition. Be sure to fuel the body before your long workouts and figure out a race day nutrition plan that will work for you.
• If you have a hydration system, use it during your workouts.
• Post run nutrition- Your muscles will be fatigued and need proper nutrition to begin the repair process. A combination of carbs and protein within 30 minutes of finishing your workout is optimal.
• Stick to the training plan- It is normal to feel tired for a few days following a long workout as you increase mileage. On the other side, you may feel very strong toward the end of the week and be tempted to train faster or farther than the workout in your training plan. Follow your training plan.

Please reach out to your coaches if you have any questions about the above items or any other concerns.

Check out Julie and Paul Mikrut's pictures from their fundraising event!

This slideshow design generated with Smilebox

Week Eight: How to Start Getting Ready by Coach Stacey

Welcome to week eight training.  How is your training going or not going?  Are you feeling stronger, or not quite sure that this is something that you will be able to do?  Have you started visualizing your race or you don’t even know where to start to see it?  These are the some of the things that are quite normal, and you are not alone!  The first thing that I am going to tell you, and you have heard this before from me and Coach Brad, and he even wrote a piece on it - CONSISTENCY! It is so important.  If you have not started training, please take the time to talk to either Coach Brad or myself so that we can get you started.  However, it is important to be consistent from here on out.  If you need to rearrange the training schedule talk to us, we will help you move days around so that it will fit your schedule.  But, and I want you to hear what I am saying, if you need to rearrange your life to accommodate your training THAN THAT IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!  I know that this may sound harsh, however, it is the truth, and what you must embrace.  You need to eat, breathe and sleep this training so that you can be as prepared as you can be at the race.  Come to Saturday trainings so that you can bond with your team and coaches.  Coming to Saturday trainings is the one thing that will help with consistency.

   

This is the time that where your training is going to be intense, your Saturday trainings are going to be longer, the time that you spend during the week training is going to be longer, doing this on your own will be hard, why not make it easier on yourself and come to the Lakefront for the group training?  Not only will you have your other teammate to train with, but the whole running or walking community that is out training for their events.  It will also give you a better understanding of what it is like to be surrounded by other and how to navigate them.  We understand that for some of you that it is a distance to travel, and that gas is expensive, but, we promise you the benefits will outweigh the negatives.  Plus you just may meet someone that lives close to you and you can train during the week together and carpool to the city on Saturdays.

I want everyone to start thinking about traveling, and what the weekend is going to look like.  In the very near future Coach Brad and myself will be hosting a race prep clinic, we are going to go over everything from what to pack and why, to what you can expect on race weekend.  Please make sure that you come to that meeting as it is one of the most important clinics we will give.  But start thinking about what you think you are going to need during your race, what are you going to wear, how are you shoes?  Are you going to listen to music or nothing.  How about your hydration pack, have you found one that you like?  These are just some of the things that you are going to make sure you have ironed out before you leave. 

Start this week - Saturday’s training is 10 miles for everyone, if there ever was a time to start preparing for the race, this is it.  The sleep that you get on Thursday night, is going to be the sleep that you will run/walk on Saturday, so try to get 8 hours of solid sleep on Thursday night.  Make sure that you are hydrating always, but make sure that on Thursday and Friday that you are you hydrated.  Use the pee test as you guide.  Eat a well balance meal both Thursday and Friday evening.  Make sure that on Friday you eat both complex and simple carbohydrates.  Friday evening if you partake in an alcoholic beverage, please limit it to one.  Lay out what you are going to wear on Saturday morning so that all you will have to do is put it on.  Have everything ready to go, and if you can even put whatever you are going to need in your car on Friday night so you are not having to remember everything that morning.  A change of cloths and a pair of comfortable sandals to change into.  Plan what you are going to eat on Saturday morning.  What nutrition are you going to have with you?  These are the trainings that you want to make sure that you have both nutrition and hydration with you.  What about Gatorade?  Can you use Gatorade, or do you have to use something else?  If you do, you need to make sure that you have it with you.  The point to the training from the beginning, but not is critical to figure all of this out now, so that come race weekend you will know everything that you have to do, you won’t even have to think about it.  Failing to plan is planning to fail. 

We will be meeting at the Lakefront, Montrose Harbor, start time is 7:30 AM Sharp.  We will be starting with a few announcements and then we will be sending you on your way.   You will be turning around at the 6.5 mile marker.  I will be one my bike this week so that I can see as many of you as possible.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email either myself or Coach Brad.

Meet Your Mentor: Angela McCreary

Hi Team Illinois! Dex McCreary, my husband, and I have completed the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon every year since our daughter, Brooke, was diagnosed at the age of two with ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hepatitis (2008).  

Brooke has done well with the meds and has not had any flare ups since getting it under control.  She just turned five and has steadily been climbing the growth chart...35% in weight up from 5% & 65% on height up from 7%!

CCFA  helped us deal with all that was going on and inspired us.  I remember the GI specialist we drove 3 1/2 hours to see at Children's basically handed us a huge three ring binder about CCFA and uc when she was diagnosed.  When I checked out the CCFA  website, I saw the Team Challenge Napa information.  This was my opportunity to get to wine country! (Dex had been there many a times with work)  It was great to have a goal....something positive in the storm of unknown.  

Last year, we ran with the Chicago team (after moving to a city that had a local team).  CCFA has helped my family and I through the early tough times and has allowed us to grow along with others along the journey.  I am inspired every year through out the event.  This last years young speakers at the pasta party touched my heart and made me cry (although I am an easy crier).  We are so thankful for the research done by CCFA and all the amazing donors. 

I was a secondary mentor last year as we joined a little late because of moving, but pretty much took the team communication and the trip part on.  This year I am in school going back for nursing, so life is a little crazy. I loved the experience and sharing it with others.  Sometimes seeing how young this disease can hit can pull on heart strings....at least it does mine.  We need others to be aware so that the suffering before diagnoses can be eliminated.  Brooke had symptoms since she was 10 months old, and it took until she was two before her diagnosis.  It is very frustrating! If we spread the word, hopefully others can be empowered to push their doctors for the right test and medicine can be started.  Hopefully, someday she will not have to take medicine three times daily.  Hopefully, some day we will have a cure!  Until then, Dex & I will be "crossing the finish line for a cure". 

99 FUNdraising Ideas for Team Challenge!

1. Letters to friends, family and business associates
2. Letters to area businesses and clubs
3. Business solicitation for corporate sponsorship
4. Trick or treat for Team Challenge (TC)
5. Bake sales (at church, office, Sam’s, car show, etc.)
6. Chili cook off at work
7. Set up canisters in local stores; ask managers first
8. Canister drives at grocery stores, Jewel Osco etc. Check with staff first to see if the date is
available and get guidelines.
9. Sell Golf coupons
10. Wine Tasting Party
11. Garage Sale
12. Poker Run (in cars, on motorcycles or bicycles)
13. Murder Mystery Party
14. Raffles
15. Collect loose change from your neighborhood.
16. Get a “bar” to schedule a charity event
17. “Celebrity” bartenders with tips going to TC
18. Scavenger Hunt
19. Beg your employer for a donation
20. Ask friends if their company has a matching gift
21. Contact organizations at schools to see if they are interested in some type of community
work involving fundraising. Perhaps a class could raise money for you. You could provide a
pizza for the class who raises the most funds.
22. Have booths at local fairs
23. Sell candy at work (if that is okay.) You can get them cheap at Sam’s or from local
fundraising company, sell for $1.00. Use CCFA candy wrappers with your website to drive
more donations.
24. Co-sponsor a dance, proceeds go to TC
25. Contact Bowling Alleys and set up a bowl-a-thon or Scotch Doubles Bowling Tournament.
Most are willing to work with you to set up a night for you and your friends.
26. Have a hat day at a local school and charge $2.00 for kids to wear a hat.
27. Pampered Chef Party; be
sure your friends are aware that it is NOT a tax deductible
donation since they are receiving a product and all their money does not benefit CCFA.
28. Avon, Partylite, Longaberger Baskets, Creative Memories (ask salesperson for details)
29. Fun Run
30. Car Wash (have your church group, student council, coworkers help out)
31. Holiday craft sale
32. Jeans day at work – workers pay $5 to dress down.
33. Local media publicity in local newspaper
34. Roadblocks or stop light donations (be sure to check if you need a permit).
35. Trivia night
36. Volleyball tournament
37. Softball tournament
38. Basketball tournament
39. Poker tournament
40. Bunko party
41. Kentucky Derby Party with Silent Auction
42. Golf tournament
43. Happy hour party
44. Chili Supper
45. Pancake Breakfast
46. Ask local businesses to donate a percentage of profits in one day to CCFA
47. Super bowl party
48. Halloween party
49. NCAA basketball 50/50 pool
50. World Series Party
51. Silent Auction at work
52. Swimming Party
53. Early or late movie screening (some theatres do this for charitable causes).
54. Pie bake-off (Sell tickets for votes and samples)
55. Miniature golf tournament
56. Sell parts of your body to co-workers (e.g. For $10 donation you will write their name on your leg for the race.)
57. Neighborhood block party -$10 per family and bring a dish
58. Send a follow-up flyer to your mailing list 60 days after original letter.
Remind them of target
goal, how much money you have raised, how training is going, etc.
59. Sell “Shop for a Cause” coupons for local retailers.
60. Have a 50/50 Cash drawing
61. Ask the pastor at your church if you could speak during the announcement part of mass and request a second collection for the CCFA.
62. Wrap presents for tips at local store around the holidays.
63. Contact your high school/college and see if they will write a story about you in their alumni
newsletter. Include address for donations
64. See if your employer will allow you to do a Cardinals/Blues (or other sports team) Day and
allow them to wear team apparel for the day for a minimal fee
65. Host an auction/dinner party
66. Dog walk your neighborhood dogs for a fee to raise money. “Incorporate it” into your
training. If it’s a big dog, it may increase your speed.
67. Start a pool with your office and have them predict the time in which you will finish the
marathon. Require a fee for entry and bring home a special souvenir for the winner from the
marathon
68. Forward your Web link in as many ways possible. Have a page that logs fundraising
activities or weekly miles that you ran of walked.
69. Host a casino night. Sell chips for money that you keep and offer prizes to the high winners
70. Collect aluminum cans at work and turn them in for money
71. Sell advertising space on your body during the marathon
72. Sucker pull. Participants (at a fair) pay for a chance to pull suckers from a board.
If the end of the sucker is colored, the person wins a prize.
73. Attach a Post-It note to your letters and ask your friends and family to pass the letter on to
friends (enclose additional letters)
74. Wear your patient bracelet and charge $1.00 to anybody who asks you why you are wearing it.
75. Wear a button with the TC logo and charge when people ask you about TC.
76. Provide valet trash service to your neighbors for a fee/bag/week
77. Bring your cute, well-behaved children to canister drives to help solicit donations.
78. Ask your neighbors to collect aluminum cans and collect them weekly
79. Mow yards for donations.
80. House sit, dog sit or baby sit for donations.
81. Search the internet for “fundraising ideas”
82. House clean for donations
83. Ping Pong Tournament at work.
84. Ask a service person to donate tips for a day
85. Leave a canister at your hairdressers
86. Wingo (Wine tasting and Bingo together)
87. Pet wash/Dog wash
88. Student/Faculty Basketball Tourney
89. Beg your boss for a donation
90. Open house party for new home
91. Charge your spouse $20 for 30 minute back rubs… hey; it’s cheaper than a masseuse!
92. Plant Sale. Buy cheap plants or grow your own if you have a green thumb
93. Ask your friends and co-workers to share a recipe and create a cookbook on your PC.
Sell it back to them for $10.00. (You might include the fee with recipe donations to insure a set
number of “sales”)
94. Create a Holiday Gift Basket and have a raffle for it.
95. Road Rally
96. If you are crafty, make items and sell them
97. Bingo Party
98. Have a local celebrity make an answering machine tape and auction it off.
99. Host a “Breakfast with Santa” or “Brunch with the Easter Bunny.”

If you have questions about an idea, ask your mentor for suggestions or contact jcross@ccfa.org.

Use your creativity and ingenuity when planning events. Don’t be afraid to ask for donations
from local businesses or receiving an item “at cost”. Many businesses are happy for the
opportunity to help especially if you have a sign that states who gave the donated items.

Team Challenge Promotions Internship Opportunity

About: We are looking for a enthusiastic individual with a passion for promotions and endurance training. The intern will be responsible for summer promotional activities in Chicago and the Chicagoland area. If you enjoy a team atmosphere, love endurance sports, and want to help a charity raise money for a cause this summer, apply today!

Activities:
• Strategically promoting the Team Challenge half marathon fundraising and training program in the Chicago and Chicagoland area through grassroots marketing.
• Attending local races, 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, and marathons to represent Team Challenge to potential participants.
• Coordinate creative promotional events leading to greater participation in the Chicago area.
• Tabling at local gyms, expos, symposiums, and races leading to greater visibility in the endurance sports community.
• Garnering local media attention for Team Challenge and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America by writing provocative press releases and forging relationships with local press.
• Communicating with local community fairs, farmers markets, and other high traffic Chicago events to promote Team Challenge.
• Assisting the Endurance Manager with team activities such as team trainings, fun runs, fundraisers, and information meetings.
• Taking part in the implementation of a cohesive and consistent marketing message for Team Challenge.

Qualifications:
• Must be a student who is majoring in or interested in pursuing a career in marketing, public relations, communications or other relevant subject.
• A positive, energetic, and entrepreneurial personality.
• Solid understanding of online social media and Microsoft Office suite.
• Able to commute to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation Des Plaines, Illinois office.
• Availability on weekends is a must.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Sales experience is a plus but not required.
• Passion for community service.

This internship is unpaid, however incentives for exceptional performance will be awarded.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Junnie Cross, Endurance Manager, Team Challenge Illinois jcross@ccfa.org or fax to 847-827-6563.

Honoree Melissa Black's YouTube Video about Crohn's Disease!

Meet Your Match

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

Team Challenge ½ Marathon

Participant Information: Matching Gifts Explained

Matching gifts are a great way to raise additional funds for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, funds which will aid in advancing the Foundation’s research and awareness efforts.

However, because of the length of time that it takes for most corporations to process matching gifts, they will most likely not be received by the Foundation in time to be counted as part of monies raised for your goal.  This handout is intended to help explain the matching gift process, as well as provide you with information on how you can help move the process along.

What is a matching gift?
Matching gifts are donations made from your employer that matches a charitable contribution that you have made.  Matching gifts can double or even triple the amount of the original contribution.  Many companies have matching gift programs.  If you are unsure if your company has a matching gift program, or if you need information on how to apply for a matching gift from your employer, you should visit your company’s Human Resources department.  

How do matching gifts work?
• Once an employee makes a charitable contribution, they submit a matching gift form to their company. 
• The company then sends a request to the charity to confirm receipt of the donation to be matched.  This confirmation request is sent by either mail or email.
• The charity then has to confirm that they did in fact did receive the donation, as well as confirming how much of the received donation is tax-deductible.
• Once the charity has verified the gift, the form is resubmitted to the matching gift company.
When the company receives the verified form from the charity, the matching donation is processed as a payable item.

How long does it take for a matching gift to be paid by the company?
Most companies do not process matching gifts on a rolling basis; they are often done on a quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis, meaning they only issue payment checks at specific points in the year.  Additionally, many matching gift programs have cut-off dates for verified submission forms.  Checks are often sent out 4-6 weeks after the cut-off date.  It is important to find out if your company has cut-off dates for their payment schedules, as missing cut-off dates can delay a payment.

To better explain how checks can be delayed, consider this example:
Mary works for Microsoft, and her sister Jane is participating in Team Challenge.  Mary makes a $100 donation to CCFA in support of Jane.  She then submits a matching gift form to the Microsoft Employee Matching Gift Program.  Microsoft notifies the Foundation that a match has been requested, and the Foundation verifies the gift.  However, during the submission and verification process, the company’s cut-off date for the payment has passed, and Mary will now have to wait another full quarter until her matching gift is paid out.

How can you help in the matching gift process?
Happily, there are several easy steps that you as a participant can do to ensure that the matching gift process move as smoothly and as quickly as possible.

1) Ensure that all matching gift notifications are submitted to your chapter Team Challenge Manager by entering their mailing and e-mail address on the form submitted to the employer.

2) Do not send Matching Gift Verification Forms to the processing center.  Submit them with a copy of the corresponding donation to your chapter TC Manager.

3) If a donor submits a matching gift form to their company using an online system, they will receive a confirmation email. They should forward that email to  you to forward to your chapter Team Challenge Manager so they are aware that a confirmation is required.

4) Most matching gift forms have an area on them where the donor can chose what program they want the gift designated to.  For Team Challenge, the donor designation should be completed as “Team Challenge—Event Year and Site—Participant Name. For example:
Team Challenge—2011 Napa—Jane Smith
The designation is the ONLY way we know that the gift should be credited to a Team Challenge participant.

5) Be sure that you communicate these directions to any of your donors who will be submitting a matching gift to their company on your behalf.

6) Have patience. As you can see from the description of the process, matching gifts take a long time to materialize.  It is because of this lengthy process that we caution you: do not count un-paid matching gifts as part of your fundraising minimum.

Support Take Steps of Chicago with some GREAT, FAST Sandwiches from Jimmy Johns!

Please come out and support CCFA's fellow signature event, Take Steps at one of these Jimmy John's locations for delicious sandwiches on Monday, May 16th from 5PM-8PM. Jimmy Johns will be donating 20% of the evenings proceeds to Take Steps Chicago!

Below are the participating locations:


1557 N Milwaukee Avenue, Wicker Park 
1250 S Michigan Ave, South Loop 


Don't forget to order one of their delicious cookies, crispy chips, and deli pickles! Remember 20% of the proceeds goes towards finding  a cure for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis!

Recommitment T-Shirt

The first 25 particpants who recommit to Team Challenge Illinois will recieve this amazing t-shirt!

Mentor's Corner: Meet Luke

Luke Reardon was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in the Spring of 2008. He spent two weeks in the hospital losing over forty pounds before the doctors were able to diagnose him. His involvement with CCFA started when he interned at the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of CCFA in 2009. Since then, he has participated in Team Challenge, Take Steps and Young Professionals Group. Along with fundraising, he has also been a CCFA advocate during the “Day on the Hill” in Washington , DC. His leadership skills and passion have proven to be a great asset to the Young Professionals Group where he now serves as the Fundraising Committee Chair. Most recently, he participated in his second half marathon while acting as a mentor for Team Illinois at the 2010 Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas benefiting CCFA. His favorite memories come from Team Challenge. “It’s always inspiring to hear others’ stories of what they have and continue to go through. It was amazing to see everyone’s hard work pay off,” Luke says of this past Vegas race. Luke serves as a role model and an inspiration to those with IBD but when asked what inspires him, Luke responded, “I am inspired by the courage and determination I see in people with IBD. It never ceases to amaze me how resilient those of us with IBD are. I have heard stories of what others have dealt with and it amazes me how they were able to cope with what they had to go through and maintain a positive outlook. These people and their stories inspire me to do what I can so they, and others, will never have to be the subject of such pain again.” He is thankful for his health and the opportunity to improve the health of others. “I am not a doctor, nor will I ever be, but I can still have a valuable impact on IBD research,” he says. Luke’s humanitarianism and drive to find a cure is a true inspiration to us all.

Mental Toolbox by Coach Stacey

What do you have in your mental toolbox?  If you are new to this whole half marathon training program, my guess is not much.  If you are an experienced endurance athlete, then you should have several things, but no one has a packed, there is no room for one more thing in my toolbox, toolbox.  Your mental toolbox is a topic that you will hear me speak about, write about, and stress how important it is.  There is nothing that will carry you through without a doubt more than your mental toolbox.  Well, except your feet of course!  But, what is a mental toolbox?
 Each time you go out for a training walk, run/walk, run, there is something to learn, something to remember, something to put in your mental toolbox so that if it happens on event day, you can go back in your mind and say to yourself, “I’ve done this, I know how to handle it.  I know what to expect, and how to not let it de-rail my race.”  This is why it is so important that you go out in all kinds of weather.  Saturday was a perfect day.  Perfect!!  Although, it was spitting rain at the beginning, it was a little windy, and a bit cold, it was perfect.  Why?  Because you got three mental toolbox items for the price of one.  If one race day, if it is raining, windy or cold, then you have already walked, run/walked, or ran in it, and you already know that you will be fine.  Yes, you may be cold or wet, but you can go on and finish.  It is all about having the experience and then turning it into a learning experience.  Even this morning, with the snow, it was a perfect metal toolbox day.  No, it is not going to snow in Napa, but it isn’t always about the race that you are doing right now, but a race that you may do next, or even one that you haven’t thought about. 
 I know that it is hard to go out and do your training when the weather is bad, or when you are tired, or don’t feel very good, but I urge you to do just that.  Go out, open yourself to the experience, learn, and store it in your mental toolbox.  I promise you that at some point durning your race, what ever race that is, you will use something that you have stored in your mental toolbox, and will be thankful because it will get you through whatever it was that confronted you.
“Feel the Fear and Do It Anyways!”
Coach Stacey

Mentor's Corner: Meet Amy

My name is Amy Kovacs and I am a 24 year old resident of Highland, Indiana. I work as an Electrical Desginer at Superior Engineering while I finish out my degree at Purdue University Calumet in Electrical Engineering. In what little free time I have I love to run, read, and pretty much sit around and watching movies or not do anything. I am a huge movie buff! I am also a fan of country music and I am always on the lookout for somone who also shares that passion.

I joined Team Challenge last season for their Vegas Run as a whim. I, myself, have never had any dealings with Crohns or Colitis nor had I even heard of it until after I joined. I joined with the intention of just meeting some people, raising some money, and of course having the time of my life in Vegas! Obviously, as I am a mentor now, it has turned out to be so much more than that. I cannot even think of a good way to put into words! Everyone is going to have a blast this season and thats for sure!

A word from Coach Stacey

Happy Wednesday!  You are now in week two of your training; if you have any questions regarding your training schedule, please contact either Coach Brad or Coach Stacey.  We were pleased to see many of you out at training on Saturday, and we are hoping that everyone is able to come out this coming Saturday.  We will be meeting in the same spot at Montrose Harbor, after working out the glitches, hopefully it will be smooth sailing.  We would like to take this opportunity to go over a few things that you should expect or do for your longer trainings on Saturdays.

1.   How should you dress? The rule of thumb is that you should dress like it is 10-15 degrees warmer then it really is outside.  If you step outside and you are comfortable, you are OVER dressed, and will quickly want to peel off clothing.  If you are freezing, then you have UNDER dressed and should add a layer.  If you are chilled, you are dress just right.  Also if you are worried, dress in layers so that as you warm up you can peel off layers.  Right now because of the craziness of the weather, bringing a windbreaker is not a bad idea because after you have warmed up than you can take it off and tie it around your waist.

2.  Hydration Systems-Take sometime this week before training to find a hydration system that you think will work for you and bring it with you to training on Saturday so that you can start to get used to it.  You may find that it does not work for you, so keep the receipt so that you can take it back.  You may have to try several before you find one that will work for you.  It may work when the mileage is low, but once it gets higher it is uncomfortable; that is another thing to think about. 

3.  Body Glide, Runner’s Lube, Diaper Rash ointment, Foot powder, oh my!  Though the milage is still low, at some point you are going to want to start using these items.  Once the weather gets warmer and the mileage ramps up you may start to notice chaffing.  For women it will be where you bra rests, for men it will be your nipples, but for everyone, it may happen under your arms where the arms cut out, in between your butt cheeks, and if you wear a i-pod around your arm, it could happen there too.  It happens when you are constantly rubbing in the same area.  Body Glide or Runner’s Lube will help with this.  I personally like Runner’s Lube, but Body Glide is readily available, where as I have to order Runner’s Lube online.  Again, it is going to come down to what works for you.  Really, diaper rash ointment?  Yep!  As the weather gets warmer and the level of sweating that you are doing goes up, and the wet shorts stay in contact with your butt you will get diaper rash.  There are several one’s out there, again the one that I have found that works well for me is Burt’s Bee Diaper Rash Ointment, but there are others out there, and one (though, I cannot remember the name of it) goes on clear.  Now, about foot powder, this will help with blister prevention; you want to use the Body Glide or Runner’s Lube all over you feet, in between your toes, around the heel, on the top of your toes, and then you want to put foot powder in your shoes.  Not a lot, but a nice sprinkling.  This will absorb the moisture, the lube will allow your foot to move without chaffing (hence, one cause of blistering).  Many of the powders with have some kind of menthol which is also cooling to your feet.  So start experimenting with these items to find out what ones work for you.

4.  Path Etiquette-This is something that we as coaches take very seriously.  There have been times when individuals from other training group are out and they are 4 or 5 abreast taking up the whole path, making it difficult to pass or get around them.  A person calls the office to complain, and it makes all charity groups look back, so please take this serious.  Only run, run/walk, walk two (2) abreast, no more.  If you need to stop, go off the path before you stop, and if you are transitioning between running and walking make sure that you glance behind you to make sure that no one is right on your back, if they are, go to the side and let them pass and continue with your intervals.  If you choose to run with an i-pod or any other mp-3 player, please only use one earphone; this is so that you can remain aware of what is going on around you.  As the weather gets warmer more bikers, strollers and roller bladers will be out, and you want to make sure that you can hear them when they are behind you.  I have seen my share of bike/runner crashes, and we do not want any with our participants, so please make sure that you can hear what is going on around you.

5.  Bring a towel, change of clothing and a pair of sandals.  Again, this will apply more when the mileage is higher, but starting now so that you get used to it is always a good game plan.  You are going to want to dry off, and change if you are able, but you are really going to want to get out of your shoes and into something else, and sandals are great.  There is a bathroom across from where we will be at the Lakefront, but be aware that it does not open until 1.May.

6.  Pedicures-This is something that I recommend that everyone do throughout their training.  It will help to keep the calluses from building up, keeping your toenails nice and short, and a good massage, you can never go wrong with that.  Do not let them use a credo blade (straight razor) on your feet, if they want to use one, ask that they use a foot file instead.  FYI, beauty schools do pedicure fairly inexpensively, so it is a good way to go.

Remember to eat and hydrate well, sleep well, and follow your training schedule.  But most important--COME TO SATURDAY TRAININGS!  This will make all the difference in  your experience not only with Team Illinois, but with the half marathon as well.  As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact one of your coaches.

“Feel the fear and do it anyways!”

Coach Stacey

Mentor's Corner: Meet Maggie

Hi I am Maggie, I am currently an unemployed teacher that has loads of time on her hands. I have had Crohn's for 32 years, but have been in the longest remission to date! Yeah 6 years! That is why I was mentally strong enough to start an endeavor like Team Challenge 1/2. I have been physically strong enough most of the time, but have always been fearful I would ask/get all this money and never be able to run the race. Honestly I don't think people are giving you the money just because you are running/walk/crawling the race. They are doing it for YOUR CAUSE & CCFA! I completed the 1/2 marathon last year in just over 2 hours by run/walking it. I am typically a runner, but thoroughly enjoy the run/walk aspect because it doesn't take so much out of me that I can enjoy the run or the scenery around. Plus, I am not exhausted where I can't enjoy the rest of the days in Napa Valley California! I have a dog,Tigger, that you may meet on some of the short runs, he is the light of my life. I grew up just outside of Chicago and have lived lakeside for the last 15 years. I am goofy, full of energy and often am willing to make fun of myself if it makes others feel more comfortable or laugh. So basically Team Illinois has at least one crazy mentor. I will be happy to chat anytime. Really I will. Now go enjoy a run or a run walk. 

Barefooting by Coach Brad

If you hang out with runners long enough,you are bound to hear someone mention barefooting. What is barefooting ? Barefooting is essentially what you probably think; running or walking without shoes. The barefooting phenomenon seemed to gain traction (pun intended) in 2009 soon after the publication of a bestselling book called “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. I won’t review the book for this article, other than to say it is a very entertaining read that promotes barefoot running while intertwined with a fun and sometimes compelling story. 

Are there benefits from barefoot running? 

The short answer is yes. When feet are cradled in shoes, the range of motion is reduced and the shoe absorbs the shock of the foot plant. (Foot plant is the when the foot lands on the ground during running or walking and NOT a form of athletes foot fungus) Without shoes the foot is forced to absorb the shock and in effect is strengthened. Also, walking or running without shoes forces the athlete to keep body mass distributed over the midfoot rather than just the heel area on impact. The result is more shock absorption with the entire foot and less in the lower leg, which can contribute to injuries. 

Are there drawbacks to barefoot running?

There are certain aspects of barefooting that can cause issues. If you are a beginning walker or runner, the initial stress of barefooting on weak foot muscles can lead to injuries. Road debris, such as rocks or broken glass can also cause injuries to the feet. Gum is also an unpleasant find for barefoot runners.

What should beginner runners do?

Most beginners should focus the majority of their workouts on the aerobic side of increasing their endurance engine (heart and lungs – the circulatory systems). As their fitness levels increase, muscle strength in the transmission (glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves and feet) should also increase. Barefooting should be limited to walking around the house or short 5 minute walks. There are a few basic exercises that beginners can do to strengthen the feet without actually running or walking barefoot.

Perform the following 4 exercises on a daily basis to strengthen the feet.

Toe Fan: In a seated position, lift your feet up to a comfortable height. Spread all ten toes out as wide as you can and hold for a slow count of 15 before you relax. Repeat 3 times.

Toe Grip: Place a towel or washcloth on the floor. Use your toes to grab and lift the towel/ washcloth off the floor. Hold for a slow count of 10. Repeat 3 times on the one foot before repeating exercise on the other foot.

Tippy toes: Stand up tall on your tippy toes, just like when you need to reach a top shelf. Walk 30-40 paces before taking a 5-10 second rest. Repeat 3 times.

Heel Walk: Shift your body weight to your heels. Lift your toes and front of your feet up high and walk on your heels. Walk 25-30 paces before taking a rest for 10 seconds. Repeat 3 times.

In summary, strengthening the feet through barefooting or exercises can be beneficial to reduce lower leg injuries and increase strength and speed. These exercises are a great supplement to your training program.

Team Challenge: You can: challenge • change • cure!

Kickoff Napa with Wine, Cheese, Fruit, and Chocolate!

RSVP by clicking here!

How to write a fantastic "appeal" letter:

1. Plan first: Make sure you take the time to plan how you want to phrase your "ask." Are you going to talk about your Team Challenge fitness goals? Are you walking or running for a personal hero who is directly affected by Crohn's or ulcerative colitis? Figure out your angle and then take a pen and paper and begin writing!
2. Know your audience: Are you writing close friends and family members or are you writing local business owners? Cater your letters to the type of donors you are solciiting. Sometimes it might be helpful to have two letters just in case the opportunity arises. Gather and then organize the mailing addresses in a way that is comfortable for you. Excel is a great tool!
3. Establish a connection through emotion: Go straight for the heart! You can reiterate your personal connection with the donor or talk about how donating will benefit the 1.4 million Crohn's and colitis sufferers in the country. In Illinois alone, there are 60,000 adults and children with Crohn's or colitis. You can also mention our team honorees and include pictures.
4. Benefits of donating: Talk about what the benefits are to donating to your fundraising goal. Maybe you'll bring everyone a special token from Napa or mention that the donation is tax deductible. Don't forget to talk about matching gifts!
5. Create a sense of urgency: When do you want to reach your goal? By the fundraising deadline or recommittment on May 16th? Maybe suggest that your goal is to raise $2,000 by the end of April. This way the reader will know that he/she needs to act now.
6. Make it easy for them to select an amount to donate: Everyone loves multiple choices! Suggest a variety of donation options for them so that it is quick and easy for them to make a decision.
7. Make sure you say thank you: Write a hand written note to say thank you for their donation. Call them as soon as you recieve the check or credit card information. Donors sometimes have "buyer's remorse" after they've donated so it is always a good idea to communicate your gratitude right away.

Remember, if you send us a final draft of your letter and mailing list by April 8th, we'll take care of the cost of printing and sending your donation letter! Voila! It's that easy!

Contact Junnie Cross, Endurance Manager for Team Illinois by emailing her at jcross@ccfa.org.

You can only achieve what your mind can visualize

Welcome Team Challenge participants! I can only hope you are as excited to start the training program as I am in coaching such a fantastic group. You are destined to achieve great things! So now that you have signed up and are ready to get started, an obvious question is: What should I do until the official training starts? If you are already active with running or walking, continue your workouts. If you haven’t started yet, you can start easy walking approximately 10-15 minutes daily. Don’t worry about intensity at this point. We will cover those aspects of training when the program starts.
So what else can you do to prepare for the training program? A very useful but often overlooked side of training is psycho-cybernetics, also known as self visualization. This technique of seeing oneself being successful is based on research by Maxwell Maltz and published as a book in 1960. Self visualization techniques use the mind-body connection as the driver in succeeding and achieving goals.
Psycho-cybernetics can be defined as the process of making a change by using the subconscious mind. There are many specific techniques that can be used. Some of these techniques include, writing notes to yourself with positive messages about workouts or the race, visualizing finishing a workout, visualizing completing the half-marathon, and even visualizing yourself having success with fundraising efforts. The main idea is reprogramming negative thoughts into positives.
This part of your training takes virtually no physical effort and requires 10-15 minutes per day. Find a quiet place and relax. (you can close your eyes but don’t fall asleep!) Visualize successfully completing whatever task you choose.  You may want to start with the small tasks, and eventually begin self visualization of successfully completing the overall goal. Don’t forget to leave motivational notes that you will see each day, in places you will see them, like on the bathroom mirror, the background of your computer screen, or even the default screen on your phone.
Many professional athletes use these techniques to stay motivated and achieve success. You can use the same techniques to find success in Napa! Remember: You can only achieve what your mind can visualize.

Feel free to contact Coach Brad by emailing him at krugler@yahoo.com or email Coach Stacey at coachstaceym@gmail.com.

Fall in love...With Our New Coaches!

Walk Coach: Stacey Lawrence-Macri
Stacey has been doing marathons and half marathons for 11 years. She is a Certified Personal Trainer with NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) a Certified Running Coach with RRCA (Road Running Coaching Association) Certified Exerstrider Nordic Walking Trainer. Stacey has been Coaching for 8 years and is excited to train others so that they can achieve their dreams, no matter what they are. Learn more about Stacey by visiting her blog here.

Run Coach: Brad Krugler
Brad is no stranger to coaching! He is a certified Road Running Coaching Association (RRCA) Running Coach and has coached high-level, recreational and beginning runners for over 30 years. He has run numerous half and full marathons including the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Most recently, Brad qualified for the 2011 Boston Marathon and is thrilled to be joining the coaching team for Team Challenge Illinois! Learn more about Coach Brad by going here.



Meet Our Coaches At Our Kickoff Party on March 26th
You're cordially invited to our Napa 2011 Season Kick Off Party! This is a great opportunity to meet your future mentors, coaches, and other participants while sipping wine, eating fabulous food, and making new friends. We're so excited about this Napa Season and the great opportunities ahead!

When: Saturday, March 26th
Time: 12:30 PM
Where: Fleet Feet Sports, 4762 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL
Click Here for directions.

RSVP by replying to this email or email jcross@ccfa.org. You can also RSVP via phone at 847-827-0404 x206.

A resolution is more than just a blog entry...

res·o·lu·tion

[rez-uh-loo-shuhn]noun 
1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made, usually after voting, by a formal organization, a legislature, a club, or other group. 
2. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
3. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. 

Resolutions aren't just a list you made one day or a post-it note you stuck to your refrigerator. Resolutions are a committment to a course of action. If your resolution is to get in better shape, be more active in your community, or be a part of something bigger than just one person, consider joining Team Challenge Illinois and we'll help you stick to your 2011 resolutions.

We'll provide you with coaching, training in the Chicago and Chicagoland area, a personalized training program, expert advice, and tools to fundraise for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundaiton, plus much more. Our first half marathon this year is located in one of the most beautiful destinations in the country: Napa Valley and Sonoma County, California. Attend one of our information meetings in March to find out how we can help you complete a half marathon by July 17, 2011.

Reserve your spot now for an informational meeting:

1. 11:00am  Sat. March 5th Fleet Feet Sports (1620 N. Wells St. Pipers Alley, Chicago, IL) 

2. 6:00 pm Thurs. March 10th REI Outfitters (1466 N. Halsted., Chicago, IL) 

3. 6:30 pm Mon. March 14thWhole Foods Naperville (2607 W. 75th St. Naperville, IL) 

4. 6:00 pm Wed. March 16th REI Outfitters (1209 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL) 

5. 11:00 am Sat. March 26th Fleet Feet Sports(4762 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL)

Click here to learn more about Team Challenge Illinois and RSVP to an information meeting. Or, email Junnie Cross, Endurance Manager at jcross@ccfa.org and set up a personal appointment to discuss what Team Challenge can do for you!

You CAN complete a half marathon and make a difference in someone's life. You CAN begin the journey of a lifetime with Team Challenge Illinois.