18 – 22 Mile Training Run THIS SATURDAY

What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Boston than to CRUSH your longest training run! For many of you, this will be your longest training run of the season, but don’t worry, you’ll have us, alumni, and plenty of fans cheering you on! A reminder to those coming out of town, Joint Ventures is located at 660 Beacon Street in Kenmore Square. Doors open at 7:30am and the run will start at 8:00am. Ally and Caroline will be present at this run, so get excited! If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to text Ally at 857-523-8052. Be sure to check out Coach John’s latest email or his website for more information and to keep up to date on the training schedule.

The Brigham Team stop will be about 100 yards up from the Newton Fire Department – we can’t wait to cheer you on!

Purchase Your Stepping Strong Swag

Don’t miss out on the FINAL opportunity to purchase Stepping Strong swag again! You have from 3/12 – 3/19 at 5pm to make your purchases in time for Marathon Monday.

Don’t forget to send us your photos!

Stretching/preparing to run, training/running outside & inside, in your Stepping Strong gear, and selfies & “point-of-view” shots are encouraged! Email to marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or text to 857 523 8052!

Marathon Monday – just over a month away!

We are SO excited to walk you through the Marathon Weekend experience at our final team meeting on Tuesday, March 26. Please remember to RSVP here and submit any questions you have so we can answer them! A few quick notes as you prepare:

  • Pep Rally: Saturday, April 13th at the Revere Hotel. Up to three (3) family members/friends are invited to attend. There will be sign and shirt decorating, food, and excitement to prepare you for the big day!
  • Cheering Zone: All friends and family are welcome to join us at our cheering zone! We will provide location and details at the meeting.
  • Post-Race Meeting Spot: After you cross the finish line, you will be able to head over to the Revere Hotel to meet your family, grab your gear bag, change, and snap a photo!

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Celebrating 10 Years of Stepping Strong Logo

As we celebrate 10 Years of Stepping Strong and transforming care for trauma survivors, our team wants to share two logos that you can use in your email signature, social pushes, text messages, etc. to mark this milestone. We hope you will share the innovative work of the center with your family and friends, and we are so thankful for all you have done as Stepping Strong ambassadors.

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Support A Stepping Strong Runner Day…but with the chance to win CELTICS TICKETS!!

You know the day is for YOU and YOUR DONORS, but we are thrilled to announce that we have two pairs of Red Auerbach seats available for the April 7 Celtics game against the Kings at 7:30pm. To make it even more exciting, every team member who secures at least ONE donation of $50 or more on March 26 will be entered into a chance drawing. Two lucky winners will each receive a pair of tickets. GET EXCITED!

Reminder, on Support a Stepping Strong Runner Day, make sure to ask everyone you know to support your run and remember that all new $50+ donations will receive a Stepping Strong hat. You can find suggested language here for any emails or social posts you want to push out!

If you have any questions or concerns, email marathotneam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline  

Team Updates #15 + Marathon Madness Winners

Team – as we are just over a month until race day, please be sure to read this email in its entirety!

Marathon Madness Challenge Winners

Congratulations to our February Marathon Madness winners! Thor N. raised the most money and Steven H. received the most donations. You have some Stepping Strong swag heading your way!

Another month of the Marathon Madness Fundraising Challenge has arrived with two more chances to win if you receive the most donations or raise the most in the month of March! Don’t forget that on 4/1 (the championship!) the individual who raised the most money and the individual who received the most donations over the course of the three-month challenge will each receive a custom Stepping Strong YETI! Please note that if you are fundraising with other runners on a ‘team,’ the totals will be divided among the number of people you are fundraising with. Sign up for a fundraising check in call by clicking here if you need ANY help with your fundraising! 

18 – 22 Mile Training Run

It’s almost time! The 18 – 22 mile run is scheduled for next Saturday, March 16! For many of you, this will be your longest training run of the season, but don’t worry, you’ll have us, alumni, and plenty of fans cheering you on! A reminder to those coming out of town, Joint Ventures is located at 660 Beacon Street in Kenmore Square. Doors open at 7:30am and the run will start at 8:00am. Ally and Caroline will be present at this run, so get excited! If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to text Ally at 857-523-8052. Be sure to check out Coach John’s latest email or his website for more information and to keep up to date on the training schedule.

The Brigham Team stop will be about 100 yards up from the Newton Fire Department – we can’t wait to cheer you on!

Final Team Meeting

Our final team meeting is scheduled from 6:00pm to 7:30pm EST. During this meeting, we will cover all essential details to prepare for the Marathon race weekend from the moment the expo opens, until you cross the finish line. We strongly encourage your attendance, as we will be discussing crucial information. The meeting will not be recorded. Click here to RSVP NOW and ask any questions you have about race weekend! The meeting will not be recorded.

Support A Stepping Strong Runner Day  

The day is for YOU and YOUR DONORS! On Support a Stepping Strong Runner Day, make sure to ask everyone you know to support your run and remember that all new $50+ donations will receive a Stepping Strong hat. You can find suggested language here for any emails or social posts you want to push out!

Fundraising Milestones

Make sure to check out these great swag pieces that ALL teammates are eligible to receive if they reach the fundraising benchmarks listed under the swag!

Boston Marathon Celebration/Finishers Jacket

Our team is offering to buy YOU your Boston Marathon Celebration/Finishers Jacket if you raise $9,000+ by March 31 at 11:59pm. If you qualify, our team will reach out for sizing and you will be able to pick up race weekend at the Pep Rally! If you aren’t interested in this fundraising milestone or don’t plan on qualifying, you can purchase the jacket yourself through adidas. Click here for women and click here for men.

Cross Your Fundraising Finish Line!

As we get closer to the second team fundraising deadline of $5,000 by March 31st, here are some ways to increase your fundraising success:

  • Get your donations matched through a company – The result? You get twice as much money for your efforts.
  • Ask EVERYONE! And make sure to follow up! Remember, no response does not mean no. Send a follow-up email/text to those you sent your initial outreach to. Let them know how your training is going and tell them that there’s still time to donate.
  • Use social media as an advantage – Instagram, Twitter, and even LinkedIn are great platforms to showcase your efforts! Ever heard of Venmo? Post on your Instagram story asking if you can request those who like your story $5-10 on Venmo!
  • Host a dinner party or game night! Both are great ways to ask guests to donate for a delicious meal or fun night. Don’t forget to include your fundraising link in the invite. It will ensure that even those unable to attend can still contribute to your goal!
  • THANK your supporters! Remember to acknowledge all your donors and thank them for their generosity., regardless of the size of their donation. Each donor is important, and it’s important to recognize each gift.

Purchase Your Stepping Strong Swag

Mark your calendar and don’t miss out on the FINAL opportunity to purchase Stepping Strong swag again SOON! You will have from 3/12 – 3/19 at 5pm to make your purchases in time for Marathon Monday.

  • Wheresteppingstrong.mysuperiorstore.com/
  • Cost: $25 shirt / $40 pullover (Pieces are nonrefundable; cannot be exchanged)
  • Questions? Email Justin – jn@superiorpromo.net and Allison – ac@superiorpromo.net

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline

Marathon Team Updates #14

Congratulations for raising over $1,000,000 for the Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center, you are all INCREDIBLE and we are so thankful for your amazing efforts.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 26 – TWO BIG EVENTS!

First, our final team meeting is scheduled from 6:00pm to 7:30pm EST. During this meeting, we will cover all essential details to prepare for the Marathon race weekend. We strongly encourage your attendance, as we will be discussing crucial information. The meeting will not be recorded.

Click here to RSVP NOW and ask any questions you have about race weekend!

Second, the day for YOU and YOUR DONORS! On Support a Stepping Strong Runner Day, make sure to ask everyone you know to support your run and remember that all new $50+ donations will receive a Stepping Strong hat. You can find suggested language here for any emails or social posts you want to push out!

Cross Your Fundraising Finish Line!

As we get closer to the second team fundraising deadline of $5,000 by March 31st, here are some ways to increase your fundraising success:

  • Get your donations matched through a company – The result? You get twice as much money for your efforts.
  • Ask EVERYONE! And make sure to follow up! Remember, no response does not mean no. Send a follow-up email/text to those you sent your initial outreach to. Let them know how your training is going and tell them that there’s still time to donate.
  • Use social media as an advantage – Instagram, Twitter, and even LinkedIn are great platforms to showcase your efforts! Ever heard of Venmo? Post on your Instagram story asking if you can request those who like your story $5-10 on Venmo!
  • Host a dinner party or game night! Both are great ways to ask guests to donate for a delicious meal or fun night. Don’t forget to include your fundraising link in the invite. It will ensure that even those unable to attend can still contribute to your goal!
  • THANK your supporters! Remember to acknowledge all your donors and thank them for their generosity., regardless of the size of their donation. Each donor is important, and it’s important to recognize each gift.

A friendly reminder that our second team fundraising deadline is on March 31. By this date, a minimum of $5,000 must be raised. If you haven’t reached the $5,000 goal by 11:59 PM on March 31, the credit card we have on file will be charged for the incremental amount needed to fulfill the obligation as outlined in the runner contract. Please note that this charge will be applied to your TeamRaiser page and is non-refundable. If you are expecting a matching gift, check, cash, Donor Advised Fund (DAF) gift, or have concerns or questions please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu ASAP.

Marathon Madness Challenge

Don’t forget that the Marathon Madness Challenge for the month of February ends TODAY! The runner who raises the most money or receives the most donations in February will win custom Stepping Strong swag. Additionally, the top fundraiser and the runner who receives the most donations throughout the entire three-month challenge will win a custom Stepping Strong YETI. The February winners will be announced on March 1, and the March winners, along with the championship winners, will be announced on April 1. Please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or click here to sign up for a fundraising check-in call if you need ANY help with your fundraising!

Fundraising Milestones

All runners who raise $9,000 by March 31 will receive a B.A.A. Celebration Finishers Jacket or any previous incentive for our second fundraising milestone!! Make sure to check out these great swag pieces that ALL teammates are eligible to receive if they reach the fundraising benchmarks listed under the swag!

MGB’s Center for Sport Performance and Research (CSPaR)

Check out MGB’s Center for Sport Performance in Foxborough, MA! The Mass General Brigham Center for Sports Performance and Research offers a science-based approach to the training of sport and tactical athletes. Our team conducts innovative research to enhance and sustain athletic performance and aid fast and effective athlete recovery, especially as you gear up for your longer runs. You can email the team at mgbsportsperformance@mgb.org to learn more about the benefits, cost of care, etc.

Don’t forget to send us your photos!

Stretching/preparing to run, training/running outside & inside, in your Stepping Strong gear, and selfies & “point-of-view” shots are encouraged! Email to marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or text to 857 523 8052!

If you have any questions, please contact us at marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu.

From start to finish,

Ali, Ally, and Caroline