2013 Triathlon participant guide

2013 AquAphor New York CitY triAthloN pArtiCipANt Guide

Race toStop MS

1 | raceMSnyc.org | Call: 212-463-9791 | Email:[email protected]

WELCOME tO thE 2013 RaCE tO StOp MS pROGRaM! Thank you for accepting the endurance challenge of a 1500M swim, a 40K bike, and a 10K run as well as the fundraising challenge of raising critical funds for the National MS Society. The fundraising you do will support the National MS Society’s goal to: Stop the progression of MS in its tracks; reStore function that has been lost and eNd the disease forever. Funds also support vital programs and services for people in the area living with MS. Thank you for joining us as we move closer to a world free of MS!

how does the Race to Stop MS – New York City triathlon program work?

You have been accepted into the Race to Stop MS program as either a full team member or a supporter team member. All full team members are required to raise a minimum of $2,500 to participate and receive one of our guaranteed entry spots into the race. All supporter team members should have received a spot into the race on their own and are required to raise $1,250 in order to receive all of the team perks.

as a Race to Stop MS - New York City triathlon team member, you are entitled to the following benefits:• Guaranteedentryintothe2013NYCTriathlon

• Apersonalfundraisingwebpageanduseofouronlinefundraisingtools

• RacetoStopMStrainingwearable

• RacetoStopMSpersonalizedeventdaytriathlontop

• Invitationstoteamsocialevents

• Professionaltrainingandcoaching

Save the dates:• April 26: Deadline to reach 50% fundraising minimum (full - $1,250; supporter - $625)

• April 26: Fundraising Day

• April 4: Team kick-off happy hour meet and greet

• June 12: Fundraising Day

• June 27: Team happy hour and jersey pick-up

• July 8: Deadline to reach 100% fundraising minimum

• July 14:2013AquaphorNewYorkCityTriathlon

• August 9:FinalfundraisingdeadlinetobecomeaTopFundraiserbyraising$3,500

Email:[email protected] | Call: 212-463-9791 | raceMSnyc.org | 2

tabLE Of CONtENtS:

thaNk YOu fOR RaCING

Fundraising........................................................3-4

UsingYourParticipantCenter..........................5

Top Fundraisers .................................................5

CheeringStation.................................................6

Training ...............................................................6 - 7

WhereMyFundraisingDollarsGo..................8

FAQ’s ...................................................................9

About Multiple Sclerosis ...................................10

Share your story and tell us why you Race to Stop MS. Email [email protected] today!

read a personal story from one of our past race to Stop MS triathlon team members:

Aftergraduatinghighschoolin2009,Idecidedtoparticipateinmyfirstsprinttriathlon.Ihadbeenacompetitiveswimmerandathletegrowingup,soatriathlonseemedtobeanewchallengeIwassuretoenjoy.IcompletedmyfirstsprinttriathloninAugustof2009andafterthatrace,Ibecamehooked.

WhenIwaseightyearsold,mymotherwasdiagnosedwithMS,andhasbeenfightingMSforthepastfourteenyears.Shehadbeenmisdiagnosedsixyearsearlierwithcarpaltunnelsyndrome.GrowingupIwasunsureofwhatMSwas,but understood that it was slowly debilitating my mom to a stage where her walking and activities of daily living became limited.

Currently,IamasenioratSacredHeartUniversityinFairfield,Connecticut,andampursuingaBachelor’sdegreeinAthleticTraining.Throughmyacademiccurriculum,IlearnedmoreaboutMSandIalsometamentorofmine(whohappenedtobeoneofmyprofessors)andhehasalsobeendiagnosedwithMS.Ifoundoutthatheparticipatedinthe2011NYCTriathlonasaRacetoStopMSteammember.Afterlearningthis,Iwasinspiredandrealizedthatitwasmy time to race for something bigger than my personal goals.

RacedayandtheemotionsassociatedwithitisadayI’llneverforget.IcompletedmyfirstOlympicdistancetriathlonand all the funds raised went to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. My family and friends were there supporting me in orange shirts and most importantly my mother was there.

Although my mother lives with MS, she has not let it control her life. My mom is a passionate, loving, motivated and high-spiritedpersonwhocontinuestofightMSonadailybasis.Duringmychildhood,Iwatchedherbecomeunableto do activities that brought out her free spirit, like skiing, biking and riding rollercoasters. She is not able to participate in physical activity like many of us can, but she continues to be there for the ones she loves. My mother wasaninspirationformeduringtherace.ThisracebecamemorethanmejustcompetinginmyfirstOlympic distancetriathlon.ItwasaboutracingforthosewhocouldnotandfundraisingfortheMSSociety-tobetterthelifestyleoftheseindividuals.Thisthoughtcarriedmethroughmytraining.AnymomentIcaughtmyselfstrugglingtocontinue this thought rang in my mind and drove me to persevere.

Thankyouforparticipatinginthisyear’sNYCTriathlonwiththeNationalMSSocietyandsupportingmymotherandthousands of others living with MS!

Faith Westdyk 2012RacetoStopMSNYCTriathlonMember

Faith westdyk


fuNDRaISING 101five easy steps to get you started:

1. Be Bold – aim high when you set your goal. Don’t forget about our Top Fundraiser level for all individualswhoraise$3,500ormore.TopFundraisersreceiveanembroideredtrackjacketandothergreatperks.UpdateyourgoalonyourParticipantCentersoitisproudlydisplayedonyourfundraisingwebsite and share your goal when asking your friends and family for support. When you surpass your goal, be sure to update your page with a new one!

2. Be the FirSt – start your fundraising off with a bang by making a self-donation toward your fundraisinggoal.Otherswillbemoreinclinedtogiveiftheyseeyouhavemadeadonationyourself.

3. Be perSoNAl – share your story with your donors. Tell everyone you know why you are participating intheNYCTriathlonwiththeRacetoStopMSteam.

4. Be SiMple–goonlineandusethesetofeasy-to-useonlinefundraisingtoolsrightatyourfingertipscalledyourParticipantCenter!Youcansetupapersonalwebpage,sendoutemailsandtrackyourprogress.Gotowww.raceMSnyc.orgtologintoyourParticipantCenterandgetstartednow!

5. Be CreAtiVe – we have all kinds of innovative fundraising ideas and tips to help get you started. Someideasarelistedinthisguideandyoucanfindovera100moreatwww.raceMSnyc.org.Ifyouwould like to meet with a Society staff member to discuss your fundraising plan and take advantage ofmoreresources,contactNicoleCannizzaroatnicole.cannizzaro@nmss.orgor212-453-3262anytime.

MENtOR pROGRaM

Isthisyourfirsttriathlonoryourfirsttimefundraisingforanenduranceevent?Wehavementorsavailable whoareRacetoStopMSteamalumniandareexpertsinthefieldoftrainingformarathonsandfundraising!

Contact Nicole Cannizzaro at [email protected] if you would like to be set up with a mentor.

be RESOuRCEfuL: •UseFacebookandothersocialmediaoutlets:

oOurBoundlessFundraisingtoolallowsyoutouseFacebookasaneasyandfunwaytoraise money and awareness among all your friends. You can upload the tool to your Facebook account throughyouronlineParticipantCenter.

•Getyourcompanyinvolved:

oSeeifyourcompanyhasaMatchingGiftProgram(seeMatchingGiftProgramsection)

o Ask your boss if he or she would be willing to grant anyone who gives a donation a “dress down” dayattheoffice.

o Ask if you can change your voicemail or email signature to include a URL/link for people to donate.

o Ask for permission to put a poster and a collection jar in the break room. We can create a custom poster for your fundraising efforts. Just ask!

•Holdaraffle–askpeopletomakeadonationtoyourRacetoStopMSfundraisingtoreceiveaticketforadrawingandaskalocalretailertodonateaprizethatthewinnerwillreceive.

•Offertodosomethingunusualorembarrassingthatyouknowyourfriendswouldlovetoseeifyouraiseaspecificamount–likeshaveyourheadordyeyourhairacrazycolor.


plan your own fundraising event:Whether it’s a dinner party at your home, a garage sale, a karaoke night or a bowling tournament, planning an eventisagreatwaytoraiseproceedstobenefityourfundraisinggoal.Ideasinclude:

• “ANightOut”:Partnerwithalocalbarorrestaurantforafundraisingnightandaskiftheywouldbewillingtodonateapercentageofonenight’sprofitstobenefityourfundraisingefforts.Inexchange,youhelp promote the local business by inviting all your friends and family! The business may even be willing to put out MS information or brochures on the tables to help raise awareness AND money. To receive a listofrecommendationsoflocalbars/restaurantstopartnerwith,[email protected].

• BakeSales/GarageSales:Askneighborstodonategentlyusedgoodsorbakedgoodsthatyoucansellatyour home or a community event.

• ExerciseforaCure:AskalocalgymiftheywouldbewillingtoteachaZumbaoryogaclassforfreeandinvite friends, family and community members to participate for a set donation fee.

•ThebesttipwecangiveistoBe Bold in your asking:

o Don’t be afraid to share your story and make your fundraising personal. Tell your friends and family why you are passionate – whether it is the excitement of the challenge of participating in a triathlon or if it is a personal connection to the Society’s mission to help create a world free of MS.

o Stick to traditional methods of in-person asks, letter writing and emails. Sometimes these are the best methods.

the New York City – Southern New York Chapter can support your event in the following ways:•Provideyouwithalistofrecommendationsoflocalbarsandrestaurantstouseforanevent.

•ProvideyouwithliteratureaboutmultiplesclerosisandtheNationalMSSociety.

•ProvideyouwiththeRacetoStopMSlogo(thechaptermustapproveuseofthelogoonmaterialsinadvance).

•SocietystaffmembersmaybeavailabletoattendyoureventtospeakabouttheNationalMSSociety.


Mobile fundraisingManage your fundraising on the go with our Race to Stop MS mobile application. Update your Web pages, send emails and check your progress - all from the palm of your hand! Keep your fundraising going through thefinalfundraisingdeadline. ThefreeapplicationisavailableforiPhonesandDroidsandisavailabletoallregisteredRacetoStopMS participants.

how It Works:

1. Search MS NYC SNY in either the iTunes App Store or Droid Market.

2. Download the mobile application to your phone as you would any other app.

3.Loginwiththesameusernameandpasswordthatyouuseonlineat www.raceMSnyc.org.Ifyoudonotknowyourusernameand/or [email protected].

4. Use the app to email, view your donors, update your fundraising page, get updated event information, share your fundraising progress on Facebook and to check the status of your personal and team fundraising.

Matching Gifts:You can drastically increase your fundraising total by having your donors apply for matching gifts!

Manycompanieshavematchingemployergiftsandvolunteerincentiveprogramstomaximizetheirfinancialcontributionstonon-profitorganizations.Thismeanstheywillmatchtheiremployees’donationsto non-profits,increasingyourfundraisingtotalandbringingusclosertoaworldfreeofMS.

Checkforeligibilitybyvisitingwww.nationalmssociety.org/employermatchandlookingupyouremployer.

Howitworks:

•SendanemailtoyourdonorsexplainingthebenefitsofMatchingEmployerGiftsandletthemknow they can access an employer lookup at www.nationalmssociety.org/employermatch

•Followtheprocedureoutlinedbyyourcompany’smatchinggiftprogram.Printedmaterialsmaybe mailed to: National MS Society Attn:RacetoStopMSMatchingGifts 733ThirdAve.,ThirdFloor

New York, NY 10017

•Ourstaffwillsendconfirmationtothedonor’scompany.Uponreceiptofthematchingemployergifts check, we will credit your Race to Stop MS fundraising efforts with the amount. While this process may takeuptoseveralmonths,ifwehavereceivedthematchinggiftpaperworkbythefinalfundraisingdeadlineofAugust9,2013,wewillincludethependingdonationinyourRacetoStopMSfundraisingtotal.


YOuR paRtICIpaNt CENtERhOW-tO GuIDE UtilizingtheonlinefundraisingtoolsavailableinyourParticipantCenteristhefastestandeasiestwaytojumpstart your fundraising.

keep track of your personal fundraising and update your goal

Customize your personal web page with personal messages and photos

upload contacts to your address book to be able to email them all at once Send emails to your contacts –

you can use template messages already created or personalize your own

aCCESSING MY paRtICIpaNt CENtER• Step1:GotoraceMSnyc.organdselect‘MyParticipantCenter’.

• Step2:EnteryourusernameandpasswordtoaccessyourParticipantCenter.


training tips:• don’t over-train: the worst thing you can do is over-train; it’s much better to be slightly under-trained.

Over-trainingisoneofthesurestpathstoinjury,inwhichcaseyouwon’tevenmakeittothestartingline.

• increase mileage slowly: there is a natural progression to building the endurance and strength it takes to complete anenduranceeventsuchasatriathlon.Increasingyourmileagegraduallywillhelppreventinjuryandfatigue.

• recover: there’snoneedtotrainhardfive,sixorsevendaysaweek.Whenyouhaveahardtrainingday,easeupthe following day or take a break altogether. Recovery and enough rest are essential to improvement and remaining injury free.

• practice nutrition: you are increasing your level of exertion so you should be prepared to increase your caloric intake. You will need to take in some nutrition on race day and you should use your long runs as a testing ground for what type of nutrition and hydration works best for you. Along with a running journal, also keep a nutrition journal. This way you will be aware of your nutrition needs before race day. Contact Jenny You at [email protected] or call 212-453-3228 to register for the training program.

tRaINING INfORMatION RacetoStopMShasteamedupwithAsphaltGreentoprovideatrainingprogramforRacetoStopMSAquaphorNYCTriathlonparticipants.TheprogrambeginsinMarchandrunsfor16weekswithworkoutsthroughout the week led by some of New York’s top coaches. What’s included in the program is:

• Weeklytrainingplans• Informativeeducationsessionsandtrainingtips• AccesstoanOnlineTrainingPlan• Accesstocoachingstaffforquestionsonracingandtraining

Minimum requirements:• Run3milesnon-stopatanypace• Bike18milesnon-stopatanyspeed

• Swim500yardsnon-stopatanypace

bECOME a RaCE tO StOp MStOp fuNDRaISER! RAISE$3,500ORMOREANDBECOMEATOPFUNDRAISER!

Benefits of being a Race to Stop MS Top Fundraiser include: • Race to Stop MS Top Fundraiser commemorative wearable item embroidered with our Race to Stop

MS logo.

• Theopportunitytoregisterandparticipateinoneofourothersignatureevents(BikeMSNYCorClimbtotheTop)withnoregistrationfeeorminimumfundraisingrequirement.

WhERE YOuR MONEY GOES MS stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t by helping each person address the challenges of living with MS. The funds you raise enable us to provide vital programs andservicesforpeoplelivingwithmultiplesclerosisandfundresearchinitiativestofindthecauseofthedisease,improvetherapiesandultimately,findacure.

here are a few examples of what your donations can do:programs and Services:$75 will pay for a family to receive counseling when a loved one has just been diagnosed with MS.

$100willcoverthecostofawalkerforsomeonelivingwithMSthathasdifficultywalking.

$250 provides three sessions of rehabilitation therapy.

$1,500 can cover the cost of a scooter for someone living with MS.

$2,500 provides 150 hours of homecare assistance

where Your Money GoesEarly and ongoing treatment with FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your healthcare professional and contact-ingtheNationalMSSocietyatnationalMSsociety.orgor1-800-344-4867(1-800-FIGHT-MS).


ChEERING StatIONS aND ChEER kItS We want you to feel the love on race day, so our staff will be stationed at a cheer station along the route to encourage you to keep going! We welcome your friends and family members to join us at our Race to StopMScheerstationinCentralPark.WewillalsocreateRacetoStopMSCheerKitsforyourfriendsand family to use –signs, noise makers, pom-poms, etc. will be included and you can pick these up at the team get-together the Friday before race day.


is there a minimum fundraising requirement? Yes. Team members who were accepted via the application process and granted an entry to the race are required to raise $2,500. Supporter team members are required to raise $1,250 to be eligibleforteambenefits.Your$100applicationfee is applied towards your fundraising minimum.

where do i send my donations?

Pleaseforwardyourdonationsintheformofcheck or money order (no cash please)to:

National MS SocietyAttn: Race to Stop MS733ThirdAve.,ThirdFloorNew York, NY 10017

who do i make checks payable to? Make checks payable to Race to Stop MS. Also remember to include your name and account number in the memo section of each check.

how long does it take for checks to show up in My participant Center? Itdependshowmanycheckstheofficereceivesand how close it is to the event.

Checksthataremailedpriortotheeventcantake two to four weeks to show up on your account. To avoid the wait, always encourage yourdonorstosponsoryouonline.Online donations are safe and easy.

what is My participant Center? Every Race to Stop MS participant receives an online fundraising account that is accessed throughtheParticipantCenter.Online fundraising accounts enable participants to create personal web pages, provide email tools to solicit donations and have reports to track your fundraising.

what if my company wants to match mydonations? TotakepartintheMatchingGiftsProgram, you can visit www.nationalmssociety.org/employermatch to look up your employer and their Matching GiftformsorcontactyourHumanResourcesDepartmentandaskforaMatchingGiftformorinstructions on how to submit the matching gift online. Make sure you include your name so we canapplythematchcorrectly.Pleaseincludeaprintout of the online donation or a copy of the check if possible. Send the completed form to:

National MS Society Attn: Race to Stop MS 733ThirdAve.,ThirdFloorNew York, NY 10017

Are donations tax deductible and how do i get a receipt? Yes. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Your cleared check or credit card transaction serves as a receipt. Donors giving $250 or more will automatically receive an acknowledgement from the National MS Society by the end of the calendar year in which the donation was made. Receipts are also available for the donor upon request. [email protected].

Ifyoustillcan’tfindtheanswertoyourquestionafter reviewing the above information, please feel [email protected].

fREquENtLY aSkED quEStIONS


Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flowofinformationwithinthebrainandbetweenthebrainandtherestofthebody.EveryhourintheUnited States, someone is newly diagnosed with MS. Symptoms range from reduced or lost mobility to numbnessandtinglingtoblindnessandparalysis.Theprogress,severityandspecificsymptomsofMSinany one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects 2.1 million worldwide.

abOut MuLtIpLE SCLEROSIS

TheNationalMSSocietyhasdeclaredthatNOWisthetimetotakeactionandthatwhenitcomestoaworldfreeofMS,enoughisnotenough.Onlyallisenough!Wehaveembarkedonafiveyear$250milliondollarresearchrevolutionNOWsothatNo opportunity will be wasted.

ThroughtheNOWcampaignwewill:Stop the progression of MS in its tracks; reStore function that has been lost; and eNd the disease forever. With your participation and support in Race to Stop MS, we canmakeaboldcommitmenttodomoreNOW.

RESEaRCh


TheNewYorkCity–SouthernNewYorkChapteroftheNationalMSSocietyiscommittedtohelping the10,000residentslivingwithmultiplesclerosisinthefiveboroughsandWestchester,Putnam, Rockland,OrangeandSullivancountiescontinuemovingtheirlivesforward.Thechapterraisesfunds in support of the Society’s critical research initiatives and to provide hundreds of annual comprehensive supportservicesandeducationalprogramsforpeoplelivingwithMS,theirfamiliesandfriends.Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to achieving a world free of MS.

abOut thE NYC – SOuthERN NY ChaptER

.

.September 7-8, 2013 MSchallengewalkcapecod.org

october 6, 2013www.bikeMSnyc.org

Climb to the toppresented by:

March 2014 www.climbMSnyc.org

April 27-28, 2013www.walkMSnyc.org

733 third ave., third floorNew York, NY 10017

2013 Triathlon participant guide

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