This is raising issues with handicapped people, and I'm concerned because I certainly don't want to leave them out. Last year, we had a paraplegic cyclist pedal with his arms. Well, he, of course, couldn't hike the trail, so we registered him, let him do what he could and gave him an award - that's a no-brainer. But then comes the obese people, for example, or people with "hidden" (we call them "invisible illnesses or disabilites") handicaps. Well, I just don't know where to go with that.
We can talk about that later. I saw the "no shuttle bikes" clause and know of a young girl that has a health condition that would make it hard for her to walk/shuttle the bike & they had talked about doing the shuttle thing; it's similar to mine. I have the same concerns. I've been talking about rollerblading the route since last year. (It'd be easier for me to walk my blades.) Lake and Byrne love it. Lake said, "Yeah, Skate the Lake (Love it!).
Wouldn't that be great on Mem Day? The "mini" event could include things like that, and be the solution to this issue. I would like to keep TTL "pure" if you will, and "hold it up" as the BIG goal. It's not for everyone, but for more people than think.
Alright, I'm liking the idea of inaugural Lake Skate Memorial Day 2011. I think I could possibly do it "cold" with not too much off season training....it's the hike I'm worried about....but I'll cross that path when I come to it. By LDW I can actually keep up pretty well with some of the bikers....I actually paced myself last summer with some training bikers. :O) It's so strange, Mark the difference I have when I'm on skates. I've heard Michael J. Fox make a similar comment about when he is ice skating that his Parkinson's doesn't bother him and I've heard other the same for similar neuro dysfunctions in motion. Odd. I feel so normal and free when I'm on my skates. I wish I could skate everywhere......
The brain is our strongest muscle, they say?
I need to remember that-ha! I know it weighs the most of any organ.
Can't tell you how often I underestimate myself - TTL has surprised me with me, or something like that. I did not believe I could swim 4 miles for years, until I just said I could.
I think most people would be surprised by their ability to do the swim, although it really is a physical feat. I'll have to tell you a story about my best friend swimming along side me for most of the way sometime.
Allow me the opp to quote myself : / ). During last year's coverage, I wrote: "But before any one person could take their first step on their Personal Endurance Challenges, they first had to come to believe that their own strengths could deliver them past the limits they had once set. That was the biggest step of all, and then the rest was easy." I don't exude much brilliance often, but that there one was a zinger ... Why did your friend swim?
I would discourage giving awards or anything for these - save that for TTL.
Agree. Agree. Maybe a certificate, at most. Maybe make the registration free, X amount with a Tshirt (i.e. pre-sell the Ts)
That's basically what we do with TTL
Yeah, but it'd be cool for you on the planning and cash flow if you could figure out a way to collect some $$ on the front end. What about a paypal button on the Tshirt sale only. It might take a small amount, but maybe worth it to know how many shirts to order. Might not be worth the hassle. (Same deal, with TTL.) Discussing this with Rachel, as long as it has a name unlike TTL, we would worry less about confusion.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Exertion & other safety hazards
it's tricky b/c you're dealing with a spectrum of motivations and lack of motivations and ranges of athletes. Without going into the psychology of the event too much, I remember one year being in the water --2004-- and actually praying that the novice swimmers would have the strength to give up the swim if they needed to because the conditions were incredibly dangerous. (Thank goodness a few did that year.)
Yes, we are dealing with an assortment of challenges. On one hand, we want to zealously promote this, but then, we have to be cautious... Agree. Have time to come up with some inclusive and realistic language/talking points...maybe talk to some physicians and physical therapists at Columbus County Hospitals (a sponsor?) for advice? Include a section on the website; would have to go through their legal, of course. Lots of lead time. Think the Memorial Day discussion "ahead" allows for more creativity.
Last year, I sort of spent August promoting how serious the event was. I think it worked. That's good to hear. ..Sorry to bring this up, but we need to expect some overexertion / injury incidents and be ready to work past them. I agree. This event is not going to be for everyone.
About the only thing we could do to really address this is post a volunteer every quarter mile or less, and that would be a nightmare (about 12 people) unless we find a group, like Friends of LAWA or Boy Scouts. Thing is, cool people who would be up for that would want to participate.
I've thought about the difficulty managing the logistics and agree on all your points. I didn't know if the EMS crew could just go up and down the crowd on golf carts and we could have the dam people keep a look out, as well. Also, we could maybe just better educate the participants themselves (although it's hard to know yourself when you're having a problem) by and through a link on training tips. Heat issues will be more of a problem in the training months, but during the "race" people tend to push themselves more and drink less so it gets heightened then with the push of adrenaline, too.
Sounds like we need a Safety Committee to meet separately. It would need a Chair who is in the health field, is level-headed and can get their head around how to work with "1,000 patients."
Yes, we are dealing with an assortment of challenges. On one hand, we want to zealously promote this, but then, we have to be cautious... Agree. Have time to come up with some inclusive and realistic language/talking points...maybe talk to some physicians and physical therapists at Columbus County Hospitals (a sponsor?) for advice? Include a section on the website; would have to go through their legal, of course. Lots of lead time. Think the Memorial Day discussion "ahead" allows for more creativity.
Last year, I sort of spent August promoting how serious the event was. I think it worked. That's good to hear. ..Sorry to bring this up, but we need to expect some overexertion / injury incidents and be ready to work past them. I agree. This event is not going to be for everyone.
About the only thing we could do to really address this is post a volunteer every quarter mile or less, and that would be a nightmare (about 12 people) unless we find a group, like Friends of LAWA or Boy Scouts. Thing is, cool people who would be up for that would want to participate.
I've thought about the difficulty managing the logistics and agree on all your points. I didn't know if the EMS crew could just go up and down the crowd on golf carts and we could have the dam people keep a look out, as well. Also, we could maybe just better educate the participants themselves (although it's hard to know yourself when you're having a problem) by and through a link on training tips. Heat issues will be more of a problem in the training months, but during the "race" people tend to push themselves more and drink less so it gets heightened then with the push of adrenaline, too.
Sounds like we need a Safety Committee to meet separately. It would need a Chair who is in the health field, is level-headed and can get their head around how to work with "1,000 patients."
Memorial Day mini event
We've always had requests by people to just walk part of the route (and always will!) While we, of course can't stop people from dropping out (wouldn't that be interesting?) we do discourage people from starting unless they intend to and believe the can finish. We're pretty stubborn on that. We want people to commit themselves early, and train for the big day, not just wake up and decide to do this. You're right, it would "dilute" TTL.
It would really need a different name, too, I think... Agree on another name. Memorial Day Lake Splash. Memorial Day Lake Laps. Memorial Day Lake Pace Races (play on Indy/Coca Cola 500 & training). Long training sessions should give you plenty of time to come up with the name. Let me get on my skates and give it some thought. Computer storming isn't my thing. Sorry, nothing's raising my BP here. I would love to get out of the norm with this. Just heard about a footrace called "Crazy Feet." The name doesn't have to spell out what it does - I would just rather it be something people will remember and feel like part of the in-crowd to join. How about "Little Feat" as in the rock band of the 80s. I just checked and they're still active, so that might be an issue. "Little Feats" maybe? Keep stirring those synapses.
Here's the logic behind TTL, from what I can remember. It comes from a military term, (you may already have gathered.) When you "take" a hill or fort, you capture it, you surround it, and it's yours. I didn't realize how well it worked until we were in the heat of a discussion about people wanting to shorten the route (see above) and Eric Brandt said; "It's Take the Lake, not Take Part of the Lake." So, even though it isn't zippy, hip or really catchy, I'm more comfortable with it now than ever.
How about these distances?
Walk / Run / Skate - 1, 3 & 5 12 miles between LAWA visitors center & dam
Bike (no hike) - 5 & 12 miles from the LAWA visitors center
Paddle - About 6 miles between Dale's & Dam
Swim - One mile near Dales.
Event name? Memorial Day Mixer. Memorial Day Mix(ed?) Race. (OOPS! Scratch that. I'm glad I did not say that out loud at a meeting.) Memorial Day - Mix It Up, LAKE WACCAMAW. Still a low pulse. It's too bad Mix and Race do not fit well in an event title name. I like using the "M"s. Well, how about Summer Kickoff, or The Summer Kicker? We have plenty of time... Mmmmm.....I think Mixed Raced is just about as bad, Mark. I actually kind of liked "The Summer Kicker." Oh well... *< )
It would really need a different name, too, I think... Agree on another name. Memorial Day Lake Splash. Memorial Day Lake Laps. Memorial Day Lake Pace Races (play on Indy/Coca Cola 500 & training). Long training sessions should give you plenty of time to come up with the name. Let me get on my skates and give it some thought. Computer storming isn't my thing. Sorry, nothing's raising my BP here. I would love to get out of the norm with this. Just heard about a footrace called "Crazy Feet." The name doesn't have to spell out what it does - I would just rather it be something people will remember and feel like part of the in-crowd to join. How about "Little Feat" as in the rock band of the 80s. I just checked and they're still active, so that might be an issue. "Little Feats" maybe? Keep stirring those synapses.
Here's the logic behind TTL, from what I can remember. It comes from a military term, (you may already have gathered.) When you "take" a hill or fort, you capture it, you surround it, and it's yours. I didn't realize how well it worked until we were in the heat of a discussion about people wanting to shorten the route (see above) and Eric Brandt said; "It's Take the Lake, not Take Part of the Lake." So, even though it isn't zippy, hip or really catchy, I'm more comfortable with it now than ever.
How about these distances?
Walk / Run / Skate - 1, 3 & 5 12 miles between LAWA visitors center & dam
Bike (no hike) - 5 & 12 miles from the LAWA visitors center
Paddle - About 6 miles between Dale's & Dam
Swim - One mile near Dales.
Event name? Memorial Day Mixer. Memorial Day Mix(ed?) Race. (OOPS! Scratch that. I'm glad I did not say that out loud at a meeting.) Memorial Day - Mix It Up, LAKE WACCAMAW. Still a low pulse. It's too bad Mix and Race do not fit well in an event title name. I like using the "M"s. Well, how about Summer Kickoff, or The Summer Kicker? We have plenty of time... Mmmmm.....I think Mixed Raced is just about as bad, Mark. I actually kind of liked "The Summer Kicker." Oh well... *< )
Extended Schedule to introduce new events
2010 Labor Day - TTL & TTL Extreme (Pilot)
2011 Memorial Day - Mini events (Pilot)
Labor Day - TTL & TTL-X (Full)
2012 Memorial Day - Mini Events (Full)
July 4 - Swamp Fox (Pilot)
Labor Day - TTL & TTL-X (Full)
2013 Memorial Day - Mini Events (Full)
July 4 - Swamp Fox (Full)
Labor Day - TTL & TTL-X (Full)
2011 Memorial Day - Mini events (Pilot)
Labor Day - TTL & TTL-X (Full)
2012 Memorial Day - Mini Events (Full)
July 4 - Swamp Fox (Pilot)
Labor Day - TTL & TTL-X (Full)
2013 Memorial Day - Mini Events (Full)
July 4 - Swamp Fox (Full)
Labor Day - TTL & TTL-X (Full)
Waccamaw River Race
The extended paddle race concept is catching on around the country. Mike Shaw at the Ext. Srvc. tells me about a race in Missouri about 100-150 miles long that started just a few years ago and is now turning away participants at some 300.
So, we're working on something from Lake Waccamaw to the ocean. It's about 130 miles or so. I think the way to do it is to actually make it three races over three days. We would have official starts and finish lines and we would add up the times for each leg. People would camp out each night, and we would forward their gear by truck. Or at least that's how we figured it so far.
There's just something neat about going all the way from the Lake to the ocean. As Ray Wyche commented; "It's where the whole Atlantic Ocean gets its water - from Lake Waccamaw!"
The first stretch is winding and challenging with obstacles, while the last third or more is wide-open river and bay. We'd moor a boat out at the official ocean line for the final finish.
We thought of starting at the dam, but a better idea is to start at Big Creek, especially if we get several dozen (or hundred) boats, so they can spread out before they get on the narrow river.
We haven't come up with a name yet, but are working with the "Waccamaw Slide."
Tom thinks the event sounds great, but he said no way was he spending three of his precious days off paddling down those snake-infested waters.
Ashleigh, I need to look at that calendar again. I think the early spring or fall would be best, as your husband is right - snakes are an issue. Too bad, because the river is so much more beautiful in the summer.
In the year 2010, I don't think it's as much of an adventure as it used to be. They cleared the NC part of the river right out a few years ago, pulling large trees out of there and everything - we cruised through in small boats. But already, it is filling up with obstacles. I've got two years to work on him.
The extended paddle sounds awesome. Are you talking about negotiating the Waccamaw River all the way to the Atlantic? YUP. If you are I am so jealous! I wanna go. It's always, always been my dream. I'm up for a Waccamaw "Float", as I'm not in race shape, but I'd be happy to be the 2nd man on a slow-paced personal endurance challenge. I've been infatuated with the Waccamaw River since I was a wee tot. I've studied the route very well and have even been to the part of the Waccamaw in SC where it is wide. Not having to tote gear would make the trip a lot easier for sure; I might be able to talk my husband into this. :O)
Are you ready to paddle 30-40 miles / day? Maybe you could be the third person on a canoe? The thought of traveling the route in a small skiff with a 5hp is appealing. Someone just told me about a "relay" race, where each team would have a dozen paddlers, and they each paddle a leg. But that takes the fun out of paddling the entire river...
As for the start, you could do a scattered shotgun start (by lottery) b/c you're going to keep track of start times by leg. Put the fastest people in front? Big Creek might be the easiest. But there is something so romantic about starting out at the dam. Help me out here, is it the symbolic start of the Waccamaw? It does seem a bit neater package, unless you think of Big Creek as the origin. For that matter, Dale's would be more public and "fun." Might want to try it the first year, especially if you don't have too too many participants.
I like the "Waccamaw Slide" idea. The only other thing that pops to mind is that maybe there is some naming potential with the "Swamp Fox" character from the Revolutionary War. I like this! - This I like! And it seems to me that I've heard some lore that the Waccamaw River (that crooked first leg portion) was unnavigable in one of the colonial war campaigns; I can't remember if it was relative to the Swamp Fox or not. The Swamp Fox Run, or The Swamp Fox 130...
Also, the Waccamaw Depot museum has an awesome old map of the area...it would neat for a tshirt back art. It depicts the area, at least the lake and most of that first river section and it's termed "The Savage" 'Tract'. Good branding op. We have the Savages, the Rice Run and the Bay.
The whole event sounds promising. When are you thinking about launching it? Whenever I can muster up enough enthusiasm in someone to take the reins. We have plenty of time (see schedule below) but there are other parties possibly interested, like the Waccamaw River Keeper, maybe Conway tourism, etc. See above comment about a LWP&R..
So, we're working on something from Lake Waccamaw to the ocean. It's about 130 miles or so. I think the way to do it is to actually make it three races over three days. We would have official starts and finish lines and we would add up the times for each leg. People would camp out each night, and we would forward their gear by truck. Or at least that's how we figured it so far.
There's just something neat about going all the way from the Lake to the ocean. As Ray Wyche commented; "It's where the whole Atlantic Ocean gets its water - from Lake Waccamaw!"
The first stretch is winding and challenging with obstacles, while the last third or more is wide-open river and bay. We'd moor a boat out at the official ocean line for the final finish.
We thought of starting at the dam, but a better idea is to start at Big Creek, especially if we get several dozen (or hundred) boats, so they can spread out before they get on the narrow river.
We haven't come up with a name yet, but are working with the "Waccamaw Slide."
Tom thinks the event sounds great, but he said no way was he spending three of his precious days off paddling down those snake-infested waters.
Ashleigh, I need to look at that calendar again. I think the early spring or fall would be best, as your husband is right - snakes are an issue. Too bad, because the river is so much more beautiful in the summer.
In the year 2010, I don't think it's as much of an adventure as it used to be. They cleared the NC part of the river right out a few years ago, pulling large trees out of there and everything - we cruised through in small boats. But already, it is filling up with obstacles. I've got two years to work on him.
The extended paddle sounds awesome. Are you talking about negotiating the Waccamaw River all the way to the Atlantic? YUP. If you are I am so jealous! I wanna go. It's always, always been my dream. I'm up for a Waccamaw "Float", as I'm not in race shape, but I'd be happy to be the 2nd man on a slow-paced personal endurance challenge. I've been infatuated with the Waccamaw River since I was a wee tot. I've studied the route very well and have even been to the part of the Waccamaw in SC where it is wide. Not having to tote gear would make the trip a lot easier for sure; I might be able to talk my husband into this. :O)
Are you ready to paddle 30-40 miles / day? Maybe you could be the third person on a canoe? The thought of traveling the route in a small skiff with a 5hp is appealing. Someone just told me about a "relay" race, where each team would have a dozen paddlers, and they each paddle a leg. But that takes the fun out of paddling the entire river...
As for the start, you could do a scattered shotgun start (by lottery) b/c you're going to keep track of start times by leg. Put the fastest people in front? Big Creek might be the easiest. But there is something so romantic about starting out at the dam. Help me out here, is it the symbolic start of the Waccamaw? It does seem a bit neater package, unless you think of Big Creek as the origin. For that matter, Dale's would be more public and "fun." Might want to try it the first year, especially if you don't have too too many participants.
I like the "Waccamaw Slide" idea. The only other thing that pops to mind is that maybe there is some naming potential with the "Swamp Fox" character from the Revolutionary War. I like this! - This I like! And it seems to me that I've heard some lore that the Waccamaw River (that crooked first leg portion) was unnavigable in one of the colonial war campaigns; I can't remember if it was relative to the Swamp Fox or not. The Swamp Fox Run, or The Swamp Fox 130...
Also, the Waccamaw Depot museum has an awesome old map of the area...it would neat for a tshirt back art. It depicts the area, at least the lake and most of that first river section and it's termed "The Savage" 'Tract'. Good branding op. We have the Savages, the Rice Run and the Bay.
The whole event sounds promising. When are you thinking about launching it? Whenever I can muster up enough enthusiasm in someone to take the reins. We have plenty of time (see schedule below) but there are other parties possibly interested, like the Waccamaw River Keeper, maybe Conway tourism, etc. See above comment about a LWP&R..
Hospitality Houses
Something that may help your "Triangle" efforts would be a hospitality house on the lake. If we could find someone on the lake who is connected with the Y or even one with GOPC, then that person could set up their house as a stopping place. I WAS THINKING SOMETHING ALONG THESE SAME LINES -- just not to the detail. I LOVE IT! By the way, I'm already running one at 2767 Waccamaw Shores Road....little does my Granddaddy know. :O) Might have to haul his camper back, too, for the weekend (little does my husband know -- oh boy he'd kill me. Don't want to cause trouble here... :) ) Don't know if I've discussed this with you, but here are thoughts on
The TTL Hosp. House Concept:
- Much like what you see at major golf tournaments, in a way.
- Out front, they would have "cheer" posters supporting the walkers and cyclists.
- They would have a table with water and whatever for participants.
- Hang the company / Organization banners out front.
- Out back, they could have a cookout for their employees, groups, etc. or campout ? :O)
- Their people would now have a central place to be, and hang out, and maybe even crash, (tents in the backyard, ha! on the beach? On the pier? always been my dream -- they can have my bed! In the boat?)
- I would like to see this take on a life of its own, and it could be a major attraction of TTL
- It would mostly be for the Sat. AM walk and the Sun PM cycle. (Maybe for the paddle, and somewhat for the swim.)
- It's a long shot to find someone connected to the Y or GOPC, but A: Plenty of Triangle people have houses here, and B: Rental units available! Brownie Cook would love me. :O) I'll talk to him. Would be great to talk the Y into renting a house for training week(s), too. There might be $$ for it.
- I think these are what may keep people coming back year after year. NSCU swim team used to swim...until the years gators started showing up. That wasn't the reason, but it was parallel. Didn't know that was why they quit - chickens! Let's bring them back.
- Possible groups (outside the county)
- UNC Alumni
- NC State Alumni
- Duke, Wake Forest, etc.
- State Museum system
The TTL Hosp. House Concept:
- Much like what you see at major golf tournaments, in a way.
- Out front, they would have "cheer" posters supporting the walkers and cyclists.
- They would have a table with water and whatever for participants.
- Hang the company / Organization banners out front.
- Out back, they could have a cookout for their employees, groups, etc. or campout ? :O)
- Their people would now have a central place to be, and hang out, and maybe even crash, (tents in the backyard, ha! on the beach? On the pier? always been my dream -- they can have my bed! In the boat?)
- I would like to see this take on a life of its own, and it could be a major attraction of TTL
- It would mostly be for the Sat. AM walk and the Sun PM cycle. (Maybe for the paddle, and somewhat for the swim.)
- It's a long shot to find someone connected to the Y or GOPC, but A: Plenty of Triangle people have houses here, and B: Rental units available! Brownie Cook would love me. :O) I'll talk to him. Would be great to talk the Y into renting a house for training week(s), too. There might be $$ for it.
- I think these are what may keep people coming back year after year. NSCU swim team used to swim...until the years gators started showing up. That wasn't the reason, but it was parallel. Didn't know that was why they quit - chickens! Let's bring them back.
- Possible groups (outside the county)
- UNC Alumni
- NC State Alumni
- Duke, Wake Forest, etc.
- State Museum system
Out-of-County Statewide Promotion
Why promote out-of-county?
1. Tourism - No explanation needed?
2. Motivation - If you work out in an empty gym, are you as easily motivated as when the place is packed with people working out? I would like Columbus Countians to see people from around the region coming here to Take the Lake. That's hard to ignore and will motivate us to participate.
3. Pride - We have been told recently that we are the least healthy county in North Carolina. We have, for generations, been told we are poor and helpless people, and we are very good at asking for handouts and waiting for the world to come help us. So, let us host an event that will help others. I want to see hundreds of people come here from Raleigh, Wilmington, SC - wherever - and say "you guys have an awesome lake, event, county, etc.!" If we start seeing people admiring us, it can change our attitudes about ourselves.
Materials @ Alexander YMCARaleigh(Hillsborough St.)
LARGE FITNESS ROOM: Brochures - 30, Cards - 15
YOGA: 4, 5
BIKE: 6, 15
AD FOR NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, WEB LISTINGS
TAKE THE LAKE
4 Personal Endurance Challenges
Join in one or all four....
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
September 4-6, 2010
LAKEWACCAMAW, NC(125 miles SE of the Triangle)
RegistrationFREE.
Takethelake.org
WALK/RUN 15 miles SAT 8 am
PADDLE 14 milesSUN 8 am
BIKE & HIKE 15 milesSUN 2 pm
SWIM 4 milesMON 8 am
It's not a race...it's an opportunity for your health!
It would be great to do small ads, but be careful that you don't hit too many market with a small ad that gets lost. Almost better to pick one or two (likely) markets and have a small ad that runs for enough of a frequency to make an impact. It's a commitment for anyone, especially for an out-of-towner. But it could really pay off with an over-night stay.
Because resources are always limited, esp. time low-hanging fruit is definitely a priority. (You're right. The business journal angle isn't low-hanging. It could have a broad reach and an easy formula. But we have no one easy as of yet to plug in, so it's not low hanging. So let it hang and ripen for a year, or three.)
The only low-hanging fruit might be at the Sandhills Business Journal. I might have an in there. The publisher is very good to work with editorially; however, it might have been b/c I repp'ed the pr and advertising for a major bank. :O) If you look at your roster and notice a past participant from the Sandhills that might be notable biz man/woman, we might want to contact them to see if we could profile them and pitch the story through that paper.
As for dailies, that also maybe the best angle to get a story --- match-up TTL trainees with their local media for a in-training profile. Would recommend doing a combination of past participants returning (i.e. dependables) and newcomers with a compelling story. You might even contact some past participants to see if they will be participating and if we could follow them (if they are not signed up yet). (B/w the two of us we have a lot of participants on film and can scout their bib #s and track them down.)
You are right it would be great to reach the Y's in a single shot. Maybe they have such a coordinator for member info. My contact is out of the office until May 26. It's either going to be really easy or really hard. I'm sure a lot of folks would like to reach the Ys. It might be possible to reach them (w/ a fee? to cover mailing or intra-office pony express service). Or maybe they have a central mailing list that they can provide. I'm just dealing with the Group Fitness Director of one branch of the Raleigh Ys. There is such a hierarchy. I can't even keep the Raleigh leadership straight.
Does Grant Eggley have a lot of experience in getting the word out for runs? I'll ask my Dad about how he's done it in other cities. Usually there's a communication clearinghouse circuit amongst the 5K/10K crowd. Tapping into that network would be critical.
You're right. The phone call pre-call and/or follow-up can be a real suck-up but it makes the biggest difference in terms of results. You need an intern!!!! Or Eagle Scout.
Maybe next year you could add a street team icon on the website. A lot of bands, special events folks use this tactic. You tend not to directly recruit street team members. It's kind of a fringe level technique. Or....Lake might be able to coordinate something like this for you on Facebook and/or the website.
My only contact at OUR STATE are in home furnishings & are so rusty. Undoubtedly you have way more editorial contacts and pull, but I'll keep pulling pubs and culling calendars for you. Even if you just get posted on the calendars this year that's something for building name recognition.
And seriously, I was NOT fishing for a Tshirt. My husband is Tshirt person; me not so much. He has a 2009 Tshirt and he loves it. I actually wear a Youth XL, usually an adult small and even an XS is too long, and I don't like the tuck in. :O) If you have extra 2009s, maybe I'll try a S and hem it, or something....
1. Tourism - No explanation needed?
2. Motivation - If you work out in an empty gym, are you as easily motivated as when the place is packed with people working out? I would like Columbus Countians to see people from around the region coming here to Take the Lake. That's hard to ignore and will motivate us to participate.
3. Pride - We have been told recently that we are the least healthy county in North Carolina. We have, for generations, been told we are poor and helpless people, and we are very good at asking for handouts and waiting for the world to come help us. So, let us host an event that will help others. I want to see hundreds of people come here from Raleigh, Wilmington, SC - wherever - and say "you guys have an awesome lake, event, county, etc.!" If we start seeing people admiring us, it can change our attitudes about ourselves.
Materials @ Alexander YMCARaleigh(Hillsborough St.)
LARGE FITNESS ROOM: Brochures - 30, Cards - 15
YOGA: 4, 5
BIKE: 6, 15
AD FOR NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, WEB LISTINGS
TAKE THE LAKE
4 Personal Endurance Challenges
Join in one or all four....
LABOR DAY WEEKEND
September 4-6, 2010
LAKEWACCAMAW, NC(125 miles SE of the Triangle)
RegistrationFREE.
Takethelake.org
WALK/RUN 15 miles SAT 8 am
PADDLE 14 milesSUN 8 am
BIKE & HIKE 15 milesSUN 2 pm
SWIM 4 milesMON 8 am
It's not a race...it's an opportunity for your health!
It would be great to do small ads, but be careful that you don't hit too many market with a small ad that gets lost. Almost better to pick one or two (likely) markets and have a small ad that runs for enough of a frequency to make an impact. It's a commitment for anyone, especially for an out-of-towner. But it could really pay off with an over-night stay.
Because resources are always limited, esp. time low-hanging fruit is definitely a priority. (You're right. The business journal angle isn't low-hanging. It could have a broad reach and an easy formula. But we have no one easy as of yet to plug in, so it's not low hanging. So let it hang and ripen for a year, or three.)
The only low-hanging fruit might be at the Sandhills Business Journal. I might have an in there. The publisher is very good to work with editorially; however, it might have been b/c I repp'ed the pr and advertising for a major bank. :O) If you look at your roster and notice a past participant from the Sandhills that might be notable biz man/woman, we might want to contact them to see if we could profile them and pitch the story through that paper.
As for dailies, that also maybe the best angle to get a story --- match-up TTL trainees with their local media for a in-training profile. Would recommend doing a combination of past participants returning (i.e. dependables) and newcomers with a compelling story. You might even contact some past participants to see if they will be participating and if we could follow them (if they are not signed up yet). (B/w the two of us we have a lot of participants on film and can scout their bib #s and track them down.)
You are right it would be great to reach the Y's in a single shot. Maybe they have such a coordinator for member info. My contact is out of the office until May 26. It's either going to be really easy or really hard. I'm sure a lot of folks would like to reach the Ys. It might be possible to reach them (w/ a fee? to cover mailing or intra-office pony express service). Or maybe they have a central mailing list that they can provide. I'm just dealing with the Group Fitness Director of one branch of the Raleigh Ys. There is such a hierarchy. I can't even keep the Raleigh leadership straight.
Does Grant Eggley have a lot of experience in getting the word out for runs? I'll ask my Dad about how he's done it in other cities. Usually there's a communication clearinghouse circuit amongst the 5K/10K crowd. Tapping into that network would be critical.
You're right. The phone call pre-call and/or follow-up can be a real suck-up but it makes the biggest difference in terms of results. You need an intern!!!! Or Eagle Scout.
Maybe next year you could add a street team icon on the website. A lot of bands, special events folks use this tactic. You tend not to directly recruit street team members. It's kind of a fringe level technique. Or....Lake might be able to coordinate something like this for you on Facebook and/or the website.
My only contact at OUR STATE are in home furnishings & are so rusty. Undoubtedly you have way more editorial contacts and pull, but I'll keep pulling pubs and culling calendars for you. Even if you just get posted on the calendars this year that's something for building name recognition.
And seriously, I was NOT fishing for a Tshirt. My husband is Tshirt person; me not so much. He has a 2009 Tshirt and he loves it. I actually wear a Youth XL, usually an adult small and even an XS is too long, and I don't like the tuck in. :O) If you have extra 2009s, maybe I'll try a S and hem it, or something....
Thus begins 2010
... or ends it, depending on how you look at it. Everything below here is old stuff, from 2009, so you can pretty well ignore it.
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