 2 days to go! The 2011 Ride Run Walk 4 Love is just a couple days away. Thank you for being part of the event. Here are some details to help you prepare. The RRW4L will happen “rain or shine”. Unless the organizers decide the weather is so bad that it will compromise safety … it’s on! The current forecast is for good weather, but there is a chance of showers and temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Don’t forget clothes appropriate for a possibly damp Fall day (change of clothes, raincoat, sweatshirt/sweater). Sunscreen is also suggested. There is a pavilion with a fire to help insure you stay warm and dry. There are also large comfortable bathrooms to change in. Important! Don’t forget! If you are riding you must have a helmet! Along with rides and the run/walk, there will be other activities throughout the day. The Troy Love 146 Task Force will be providing locally based prevention information. Modern Mix Marketing will help you film a message to be sent to the Round Home, and give you an opportunity to have a RRW4L picture taken and uploaded to your own Facebook and/or Twitter account. Does your bike need a quick tune-up before you ride? Plaine and Sons will be helping with final adjustments and topping off your tires. For children, Sweet Temptations will be giving out free cupcakes and there will be a “Trick Out Your Bike” station to decorate your wheels for the Kids’ Ride! We will also have free face painting and balloons. The Start/Finish Line will have chalk for drawing and writing inspiring messages. Registration includes your lunch from Dinosaur BBQ, a RRW4L t-shirt, water bottle and goodie bag. This year the trafficking survivors in the Love146 Round Home made bracelets for every participant. Be sure to wear yours and show it off if you see a camera or are sending a video message to the Round Home. It will be exciting for the Round Home girls to see you wearing the bracelets they made for you. It’s important to get to the event in plenty of time to register before you start. Registration will be open from 9a.m.-11:15a.m. To help speed up the check-in process please bring a completed copy of the attached Medical Info Form and Waiver. If you have children participating in the free Kids’ Ride please bring one for them, too. There is parking available in the SPAC East Parking Lot (off Rt. 50). Park towards the back on the grass and from there it is an easy walk through the woods to the Orenda Pavilion. Click here for a map of the park. 50-mile Ride Start:9:15a.m. 30-mile Ride Start:10:00a.m. 15-mile Ride Start:10:45a.m. 5k Run/Walk Start:11:15a.m. Kids’ 1 mile Ride Start:1:30p.m. We are looking forward to seeing you! Thanks so much to all of you along with our volunteers for making this a great day for abolition!  Since we started this grass roots project called Ride,Run Walk 4 Love in 2008,nearly $100,000 has been raised for Love146. That is the kind of money that “moves the needle” when it comes to having an impact to end the trafficking and exploitation of children. While we know people are going to have fun,and we know that people will become aware of the trafficking crisis because of what we do on 9/24,the most impactful thing we are accomplishing together is raising money for the work of Love146 around the world. We ask all adult participants to raise at least $146 for the event. Many of you raise much more and we are grateful. Here are some tips to help you maximize your fundraising effort regardless of how much you hope to raise. - Who is in your circle? Consider the circle of people who will donate to your effort. In that circle there are people who will give generously (Grandma?) ,maybe more than you ask for. There will also be people who give smaller amounts as a show of support to you personally (a co-worker?) Make a personal appeal to your top givers ideally in person,over the phone or in a personal (not group) email. When it comes to your smaller givers ask them for a set amount, but do that communication en masse … via a group email with your fundraising link attached. “if just 10 of our friends donated $15 each …”
- Social media is your friend. It’s a great way to announce to your community that you are doing this,but don’t expect much response from a wall post. Better to do “messages” or maybe set up your own donation page and send that around. Use your wall posts as a place for reminders and inspirational links (Love146 videos found on the Love146 site) that will support your email and FB message campaign.
- Be creative. This year I wrote the email to our friends and family from the perspective of my son. I included cute pictures of him on his bike. It worked great. Often your friends and family will have a hard time saying no to your kids or if you can come up with other funny or creative ways to ask money. You could shoot a video message on your smart phone and send that around.
- Be bold. This is hard for some. But remember you are a voice for the voiceless. This is for kids who are in danger or have been exploited. Tell their story and ask for a specific amount. “Could you give $25 this year?. Don’t be shy about being bold,we have found people want to give money to support Love146.
We have raised almost $15,000 so far for this year. We have two weeks left to go to reach our goal of $60,000. We can do it if we all pull hard from here on. If you are having a hard time raising money and want some coaching feel free to email myself (matt@terranovachurch.org …or Jacob Hopper hopperjacob@gmail.com. We will do the best we can to give you some help. Hello Ride Run Walk 4 Love Volunteers,The planning team has been very busy over the last couple months preparing for the event and in less than three weeks we will kick off the 4th annual Ride Run Walk 4 Love. As volunteers you play a vital role in the day’s events. We thank you in advance for coming out and sharing your time with us. Please continue to invite your friends and family to join the volunteer team. They can register by visiting rrw4l.com/register. This will ensure we know they are coming and that they receive T-shirts,a goodie bag and their meal choice. We are very excited to share that as of today our participant registration is up thirty percent from last year at this time. It will continue to grow over the next couple weeks,so there can never be too many volunteers. Invite! Invite! Invite! And come support our riders,runners,walkers,and kid riders as they join in the fight against child slavery and exploitation.
This year a volunteer registration was added in an effort to keep in direct contact with you as we lead up to the day of the event. We will have a smoother transition in positioning you,meeting any request(s) you may have,etc. Many of you have already registered on the site and received an initial e-mail. Beginning next week and going forward please keep an eye on your e-mails. There will be important volunteer information coming. We again thank you in advance for making this event the success that it is. Without you it wouldn’t be possible. 
Last year we sent the short film of the 2010 event to the survivors in the Love146 Round Home. They were amazed to see the people walking,running and riding the bikes on their behalf …especially the children. For 2011 our Round Home girls are sending you each a bracelet to wear as you ride and run and walk …and maybe after too! So as we write this to you those bracelets are being shipped from The Philippines to the Love146 Office in New Haven and assuming they arrive on time and get through customs,Love146 staff will bring them up and add them to your gift bags for the 9/24 event. Here is a picture for you of the girls working on your bracelets. We know as you prepare and fundraise and participate you will be thinking of them. Know they think of you too!  The Ride Run Walk 4 Love is an amazing opportunity to teach your children about an important social issue and lead them in the work of justice and mercy. However,the topic of child trafficking and exploitation can be a dark one. Many parents struggle to find ways to talk about it appropriately with their children. We want to raise children to be sensitive to other’s needs and have a heart of compassion for those who are suffering,but we don’t want to scare them or force them to deal with an issue they are not ready for. You know your own children best and have established a parenting style for your family. Spend some time in advance thinking through the right way to present this issue to your kids proactively or be ready when they ask. Here are a few suggestions for talking with your children about Love 146 and the purpose behind the Ride Run Walk 4 Love.
- Less is more. Before the conversation starts,have a simple one or two sentence explanation prepared.
- “Love146 protects kids whose parents can’t protect them.”
- “Love146 helps kids who are sad and hurt.”
- Vague is okay. Depending on the age of your kids,they are probably not ready to talk about sex,let alone sexual issues. Lots of people leave sex out of the conversation.
- “Most of the people you know are nice,but not all kids are as lucky or blessed as you. Sometimes not-so-nice people take advantage of kids because they are smaller.”
- Focus on hope. Even when Love146 talks to adults and does not withhold the difficult stuff, we always end with hope. Be sure when talking to your kids,they know that children who experience hard situations can heal and have a normal life. Encourage your child that when a group of people come together they can make a difference!
- “Love146 helps kids who are sad and hurt to get better again.”
- “All these people today working together can prevent bad things from happening to a lot of kids and can care for a lot of kids who have been hurt.”
Thank you for introducing your children to the work of Love146. We are so grateful to you for joining us in our fight against child trafficking and we want the RRW4L event to be a positive experience for all involved,including your children. We look forward to seeing you at the event. If you have any questions regarding communicating with your kids about Love146,feel free to email Love146 staff person and dad,Matthew Miller at matthew@love146.org.  Since the first Ride,Run,Walk 4 Love in 2008,the event has enjoyed the support of a number of local churches. In their support of RRW4L and Love146,these churches follow in the footsteps of the historic congregations in the region that served as stops on the Underground Railroad.
Some of the most prominent figures in the abolition movement of the 19th century were the pastors of such churches. In honor of the abolitionist pastors who came before,we are pleased to announce “The 2011 RRW4L Pastor Challenge”. One local pastor from each of the participating churches is invited to compete for the “RRW4L Pastor Challenge”Cup,which will reside with the winner until next year’s event. In addition other great prizes will be awarded to the top three pastors. The Pastor Challenge is not a competition of athletic prowess;it is a competition of self sacrifice,influence and effectiveness as an abolitionist. Points will be awarded pastors based on: 1. The difficulty of the event they choose. 2. How much they raise for Love146 individually. 3. How many join their church “Team”. 4. How much their church Team raises collectively. In addition bonus points will be awarded for participation in the children’s ride,Corporate Sponsorship of the event,and individual acts of valor,bravery and fine sportsmanship! Local and regional congregations are allowed one pastor as their champion. Those champions may courageously step forward on their own,or by accepting the nomination of their church. Contact matthew@love146.org to enter into the challenge or to nominate your pastor for the challenge. For the purposes of this competition a “pastor” is defined by his or her own congregation as such. Send any questions to the “Challenge Committee” via Matthew@love146.org. Let the challenge begin! It’s official,summer is here! And with summer,the Ride Run Walk 4 Love is in full swing! We are planning a great event for this year with some exciting new changes. First, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has come on board and will be providing the post event feast! You will be asked for your Dino BBQ entree choice during the registration process. And speaking of registration, registration is NOW OPEN! Register before August 15th for only $15. Not into riding, running or walking? That’s OK! Register to join our outstanding volunteer team and be a part of making the event a success. You can register as a participant or as a volunteer at http://rrw4l.com/register. We are looking to make the event even more engaging for our young abolitionists. The RRW4L has always been a family event and this year the kids’ ride will be a highlight of the day. To celebrate, we have a special registration rate of $10 for any child under 12 years old and only $5 before August 15th! So register the whole family today and get a jump on planning your event day activities. As always, we will be outfitting you in a Ride Run Walk 4 Love event t-shirt and this year we have kids’ sizes too. You will be asked for your t-shirt size during registration. For all our runners, the official Run 4 Love running shirt will make its debut this year on the day of the event! We are not quite ready to show you yet, as it’s still in design but we are expecting it to be as eye catching as the Ride 4 Love bike jersey. We had a fantastic event last year;we raised $48,000 with 225 participants and 75 volunteers. Join us this year and bring your friends as we double those numbers! Can’t wait to see you at Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday, September 24th. The abolition of child slavery and exploitation. Nothing less.  Time to Ride Run Walk 4 Love!
The weekend is almost here. Time to Ride Run Walk 4 Love! Here are a few final suggestions and some important last minute details. Forecast
According to weather.com we’re expecting a PERFECT fall day…68 degrees with just a few clouds. Yes!!! What to Bring
Any donations you have collected and not turned in yet,sunscreen,sunglasses and bikers make sure to bring your helmet. Picnic tables are available,but you may want to bring a portable chair. For more ideas and important info please see part 3 of Jason Hart’s Training Tips blog on Gear. Medical Info &Waiver
To help speed up the check-in process please bring a completed copy of the Medical Info Form and Waiver you were e-mailed,if possible. If you have children participating in the free Kids Ride please bring one for them too. Parking
Free parking in the SPAC East Lot off of Route 50. Our parking team will be there to assist you and direct you to check-in. You will park in far back corner of the lot (the Southeast corner),just a short walk from check-in. If you have special needs you can park closer,at the Orenda Pavilion for $8.00. Please park in the free parking area if possible. Fundraising Incentive ($500 +)
You’ve no doubt heard the buzz about our custom cycling jersey…free to those who raise $500 or more. We are also offering the choice of a $50 Fleet Feet Albany gift card to anyone who raises $500 or more. You can choose one of the two,not both or you can decide to give the money to Love146. You can do it! Keep pushing on your fundraising efforts and finish strong. You’d be amazed how much success you can have in the last day. See you Saturday!  Hello fellow abolitionists!
Welcome to part 3 of my 3 part series to help you train/prepare for the Ride Run Walk 4 Love 2010. By now most of your training miles are behind you and you are most likely thinking about a nutrition strategy for Saturday so I’m going to change things up a bit. Have you thought about your ride/run day gear yet? Often overlooked yet critically important,what you bring to the event can often determine whether you will have a good experience or a not so good one,especially if the weather turns foul or you get a flat at mile 30. First things first…
Let’s start with discussing gear for the bike ride. More specifically we will be discussing things that you should carry with you on the bike,not only for our event but for every ride. What is the one thing that every bike should have on it? You guessed it…a Flat Kit! What follows is a brief list of what I carry in my flat kit. Keep in mind that every kit might look a little different based on your personal preferences… these are simply what works for me. - Saddle Bag (obviously to hold all the gear)
- CO2 cartridges with valve connector (You could also use a mini pump that attaches to your frame. The mini pump is probably easier to use but takes longer to pump than CO2.)
- Spare inner tube
- Patch kit
- Cash
- Tire Levers
- Cell Phone – I usually put mine in a ziplok back to guarantee it stays dry
Support vehicles will be following each ride group with supplies (doanted by Plaine and Son),but its always good to bring your own. Weather conditions…
Next up you should be prepared for all weather conditions whether you are biking or running. This late in the year we need to prepare for cool mornings and warm afternoons which means layering! Basically think of dressing like an onion… start with a water/wind proof layer on the outside and layer appropriately down to something lighter in weight for a base layer. The goal is to be comfortable to slightly chilled at the start and to have the ability to de-layer as you go in order to stay comfortable. Just keep in mind that any layer you peel off you will need to carry with you for the rest of the event so don’t go too crazy. What follows are some items that I might wear on a cool day… - Short sleeve wicking shirt / jersey (no cotton)
- Long sleeve thin wicking shirt / jersey (no cotton)
- Windbreaker jacket or vest
- Light Gloves
- Arm Warmers (if I decide not to wear the long sleeve shirt
- Bike or Running Shorts
- Long or ¾ length tights (on cooler days)
- Wicking socks (no cotton)
Post Ride Gear…
Don’t forget that after the event on Saturday we are providing free lunch so if you want to be comfortable bring a post ride/run bag with a change of clothes (and shoes). It’s no fun to forget a change of clothes and get stuck in cycling or running apparel for hours after the event… especially if you sweat a lot. =) Helmet Law…
Finally… last but certainly not least… a memo to all cyclists. NO HELMET = NO RIDE! Not to be pushy but there is absolutely no reason to ever find yourself on a bike if you do not have a helmet on. If you do not own a helmet hop in the car and head to a local bike shop or (if you want to save considerable $$$) go to Wal-Mart or Target to pick one up. Again… regardless of the outside temperature you should ALWAYS wear a helmet when riding. If it is cold it is a lot easier to wear a beanie hat or head band under your helmet than it is to recover from a fractured skull should you crash or try to run over a car with your bike. Whew… now that I got off my chest I’m ready to ride! We look forward to seeing you on the roads this Saturday! Jason Hart
RRW4L 2010 Planning Committee
Founder / President of Saratoga Triathlon Club
USAT Level1 Coach
2006 Ironman Wisconsin finisher Less than a wee k to go! The 2010 Ride Run Walk 4 Love,to benefit Love 146,is one week away. How are you doing with fund-raising,training,etc? Are you ready? Here are some important reminders to help you get ready. Routes: As you all know by now the 2010 event includes a 5K run/walk in addition to our traditional 15,30 and 50 mile ride options. View routes,check-in and start times,as well as other useful info at the Event Info page. Festivities: In addition to the rides,run and walk there will be other activities including music,volleyball,frisbee,horseshoes,and more. We have a large pavilion and lots of room. Once again Moe’s will be providing a free lunch to all participants and volunteers. Guests are welcome to enjoy lunch with us,but we will ask for a voluntary donation. The free kids ride will be held after lunch. This is a one mile fun ride. Friends,family,volunteers and participants will line the course to cheer on the kids. So come and spend the day with family friends and fellow abolitionists. Add your voice to the hundreds calling for the end of trafficking and exploitation of children. Ride Jersey: More than 20 people will be wearing our special 2010 Ride Jersey during the event. Participants who raise over $500 are eligible for a free jersey. Other can place and order during the event to purchase a jersey for $70,a portion of which goes to Love146. View the 2010 ride jersey. Training Tip #2: Not sure what to eat the night before and during an event like this. Check out our blog for Jason Hart’s Training Tips (Part 2:Nutrition). We look forward to seeing you all in a few weeks. Remember…Love Protect,Love Defends,Love Restore,Love Empowers. We are Love146! | |
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