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With about two weeks to go before the big weekend -the BIG weekend- some worry may be setting in. Perhaps even some second thoughts like “What did I sign myself up for?” and "How am I going to stand for so long?" FEAR NOT, first-time IU Dance Marathon participant, this is the official IUDM survival guide and all that you need to know before heading into the Tennis Center on November 14th. 1. Apparel Disney World may be the happiest place on earth, but IUDM would beg to differ. Make sure to wear your spirit on your sleeve- literally- and dress in your team’s color. Accessories like tutus, tall socks, headwear, face decals and more are all great options. Also keep an eye out for the IUDM theme hours, in which you and all of the other dancers dress to impress according to the chosen theme of the hours. A personal favorite from last year was Groutfit (“grey outfit”)- monochrome sweatshirts and sweatpants never looked so great or felt so cozy. To cover the basics, however, make absolutely sure that you have comfortable shoes to sport throughout the duration of the marathon. Tennis shoes are a must, but I also suggest brining multiple pairs to give your feet some variation in foot support. Cushy slippers are a great break from harder-soled options, and some people even bring heels as a way to switch their body weight to the balls of their feet for a change. Another common practice: rolling your foot over a tennis or golf ball to alleviate tension. Pop either in your bag for the marathon and thank me later. You can even get one by purchasing a care package at www.iudm.org/carepackage! Foot support may sound trivial now, but trust me, come hour 10 you will be begging to give your feet whatever break you can give them. Equally important is to wear comfortable clothing for the marathon. Leggings, socks, undergarments, and any other clothing that is too tight will undoubtedly start to pester you. A sure fire bet is to wear comfortable leggings, athletic shorts, yoga pants, or sweat pants with your spirit tank or tee of choice. Furthermore, bring some options to change into at the marathon, just in case. A sweatshirt if and when it gets chilly or shorts in case you get warm! Plus, a fresh change of clothing will feel great after dancing around in the same threads for hours on end. 2. Entertainment While there is plenty to do at the marathon itself, bringing a few items to keep you busy is a sure way to keep your mind off of your aching back and on something else. Pack coloring books, Sudoku, a football to throw around, a good read, thread to make friendship bracelets, or whatever suits your fancy to keep yourself focused. And of course, don’t forget a phone charger! Be warned that outlets will be a hot commodity during the marathon, so to cover your bases, you may want to consider bringing or investing in a portable charger! 3. Toiletries Thirty-six hour dancers get VIP access to the indoor bathroom facilities in the Tennis Center, while 18 hour dancers use the port-a-potties outside. If you are a 36 hour dancer, pack a toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, or anything else from your usual routine that will help you feel fresh and perky. Thirty-six hour dancers even have the opportunity to shower if they please. While the line will be long for this option, come prepared with shower goods and a towel in case you decide a quick rinse is calling your name! Eighteen hour dancers: bring hand sanitizer and consider picking up the packaged, no-water-needed, to-go tooth brushes. 4. What Not to Bring Leave at home anything expensive that you won’t have on you throughout the entire marathon. You won’t want to hassle with making sure it’s safe should you decide to take it off or leave it in your bag. Yes, this is a collegiate event, but no, that does not mean that this is an opportunity to booze. IUDM is strictly a drug and alcohol free environment. We’re there for kids at Riley Hospital for Children, many of which will actually be attending the marathon and mingling with students. Anyone found to be under the influence of any substance will immediately be asked to leave the marathon. And of course, above all, leave your bad attitude at the door! DO bring a good attitude to the marathon! We’re here to participate in something larger than ourselves and stand for the kids who can’t. Don’t forget how much it means to the Riley kids and families to see you staying on your feet in their honor! 5. Consumables An entire IUDM committee is devoted to making sure you are well fed while at the marathon. And while there are frequent food rotations for you to get a snack, I will give you the heads up that portions are small. If you have a sturdy appetite (and you will while you’re standing, dancing, and burning all of those calories), bring some supplemental snacks with you. Keep them healthy and good sources of energy. You’ve heard it before: junk food will make you lethargic, while natural options will fuel you to stay on your feet. I suggest Quest Nutrition bars, apples, almonds, and other snacks of the like. In the consideration of “rather safe than sorry,” bring something like ibuprofen in case you find yourself nursing aches and pains, and band-aids for potential blisters. Finally, beware of caffeine and energy drinks. Use discretion with these stimulants and base what you decide to bring and use at the marathon on your normal caffeine needs. Keep in mind that too much caffeine can leave you feeling less than your best, not to mention the crash that may catch up with you after it wears off! 6. Miscellaneous Factoids and What to Expect - There is ample free time in between rotations to hang out with friends and meet new people! - Visitors are allowed in a gated designated area within the Tennis Center. Encourage your friends to bring you warm food, cold drinks, and motivational pep talks! - “This is called ‘Dance’ Marathon. Do we dance the whole time? Do I bring a date?” The “Dance” part of the title is attributed to a 10 minute “line dance” that you will learn part by part in large group rotations. The moves are easy, comical, and made for everyone. The “Marathon” title is attributed to the fact that you will be on your feet, whether dancing, standing, playing a game, etc, for 18+ hours - Get into the line dance! Throwing yourself into nailing the moves is a great part of IUDM and the choreographed dance and songs are always bumpin’. Dance like no one is watching because everyone else will be! - There IS a way to get time to lie down during the marathon. By buying a care package through IUDM ahead of time (they sell out). If you are a 36 hour dancer, you can get up to 4 “massage” times, or four 30 minute periods of pure bliss, lying on the ground of the Tennis Center while committee members kneed your back and legs with massage tools. Expect to pass out… immediately. - “FTK!” will be chanted repeatedly, standing for “For the Kids!” - The marathon consists of happy, sad, exciting, exhausting, and thought-provoking moments; it’s a unique, life-changing experience and you should be so proud of yourself for participating! For any other questions you may have, ask around campus or email [email protected]. You may be surprised at how many people have participated in IUDM and how eager they will be to share their experience and answer your questions. Get excited for your first IUDM and FTK! See you there! Written By Meredith Baranowski
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This past Thursday night the IUDM community came together in Alumni Hall for the third annual Runway Riley. The yearly event debuts new apparel for the upcoming marathon. This event is presented by IUDM's Apparel and Merchandising committee. Riley Children showcase the new apparel by using their best modeling skills and taking the runway in the new apparel that is sold after the event is over. The night started off with a short speech from Miss Riley Lesh, a patient at Riley Children’s Hospital, where she listed the top 10 reasons you should join the IUDM family. One of the reasons being that any kid could help you meet a cute girl or boy you’re too shy to go up to. After Riley finished her speech the much anticipated fashion show began. Riley children started coming out one-by-one accompanied by committee member. Each person wore a piece of IUDM’s new apparel designed for this year’s marathon. As the kids came out on the runway we learned what they each wished for. Their answers ranged from wishing no child would ever have to go through what they went through to wishing it would rain fruit. When the show ended, the doors opened to expose a room filled with the merchandise that had been showcased by the Riley models. Floods of IUDM participants rushed in to get in line to purchase their new IUDM apparel. This year there were two sweatshirts (a blue half-zip and a white full-zip), a long-sleeved t-shirt, a short-sleeved t-shirt, and a tank top. Novelty items such as baseball caps, a Camelback water bottle, and two decal stickers. If you didn’t get a chance to attend Runway for Riley, but still want to purchase IUDM’s new apparel don’t worry, the marathon is only 44 days away and you’ll be able to purchase all of the merchandise shown at this years marathon! Written by Kaitlin Gerringer
All last week, IUDM remembered and celebrated the lives of Ryan White and Ashley Louise Crouse. Everything culminated Friday afternoon with the annual “Walk to Remember”, where IUDM committee members joined together for a walk around campus, similar to what was done following Ashley’s untimely death in 2005. It was a picture-perfect day, with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s. Committee members hugged, reunited and took pictures with their own committees and with friends on other committees as they waited for the walk to start. Students could sign posters, writing down what they think of when they thought of Ryan and Ashley. Those posters will be given to the White and Crouse families to show that their legacies live on through IUDM. Before the walk actually began, Chris Holland president of the IUDM Alumni Board, told everyone that one of the things that makes IUDM so special is the community it creates. We were walking to remember Ashley as a member of our family. The walk began in front of the Kappa Kappa Gamma house, where Ashley was a member and very close to where the tragic accident occurred. From Kappa, we walked from Third Street to North Jordan Avenue and continued all the way up Jordan, past all the Greek houses and through the Jordan extension. Once we reached the end of the extension, we took Fee Lane to 10th Street and came down Woodlawn Avenue. We walked around the Indiana Memorial Union and past the Sample Gates before turning down the final stretch of Third Street and returning to the Kappa house. My favorite part about the walk (well, besides the exercise) was reconnecting with old friends and getting to know a few members of my own committee a little bit more. It took about 90 minutes to complete the walk, but with the beautiful weather and members of the IUDM family by my side, I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Written By Alyssa Schor
When Ashley Louise Crouse’s life was tragically taken by a drunk driver, the IU community mourned her loss. Fast-forward nine years, and her spirit still strongly lives on through the work of IUDM. On April 12th, the anniversary of her heartbreaking accident, there was no better way to honor Ashley then to run or walk in remembrance for her, for Ryan and For the Kids. The 2nd annual FT5K run/walk brought many IU students, Bloomington community members and even state wide participation to the red tailgating lot on Saturday morning. To help community members who were not aware of IUDM to understand the mission of the organization, the Ditz family was invited to speak the morning of the event. Their story, like many other families, highlighted how Riley Hospital for Children changed their lives. A brand new course design, prizes and entertainment are a few examples of the changes that took place to make the FT5K a continuing and successful event. After the participants traveled down Fee Lane, up Jordan Avenue and down the Jordan extension, they were greeted at the finish line with ice-cold water, bagels, and fruit. Participants were then encouraged to watch some of the musically talented IUDM committee members perform on stage as well as help congratulate the top three male and top three female finishers as they received their prizes. The unusually high temperatures and clear skies brightened the atmosphere to the already joyful attitudes of participants who ran and walked. With the FT5K being a stepping-stone for the marathon in the fall, it gave a clear indication into the organization’s drive to make this marathon the best one yet. Written by Maddie Wojtalewicz |
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