Tag Archive for: Charlotte running

Making Goals Together

“I never knew the benefit of running with a group until I joined the Isabella Santos Foundation Dream Team.  I started running 5 years ago when a friend challenged me to run a 5k.  When I realized I could do it, I had the desire to improve.  However, it takes a lot of self-motivation to stay on track.  And it kind of gets boring when you are running by yourself and achieving a goal when no one else is aware of it.  

I “ran” across the Isabella Santos Foundation Dream Team 3 years ago.  I decided to attend a group run one day, and the rest is history.  I was pushed to be healthy.  I was motivated to run and cross train.  I learned how to properly train for a race.  I could not let anyone down so I tried to attend every Saturday morning group run.  I looked forward to the reward at the end of our Saturday runs –  Clean Juice with a new group of friends. But most importantly, it was incredible to see everyone cheer each other on when you are accomplishing your goals.  You celebrated together.  You laughed together.  You smiled together.  There’s no better feeling than to accomplish a personal goal and share it with others. 

I achieved a personal record on a half marathon in Fall 2017, and I never ever thought I could do it.  I owe it all to the ISF Dream Team.  There is no way I could have achieved this goal without everyone’s support, pushing me to improve my performance, and cheering me on.  I am forever grateful that I am a part of the ISF Dream Team.  

It’s not too late to join the Isabella Santos Foundation Dream Team.  I promise, you won’t regret it.” 

– Tammy Lowry

ISF Dream Team

The ISF Dream Team, created in 2014, is a running group that assists you in training to run the race of your dreams.  You can train for a 5k, 10k, half marathon, half marathon relay, full marathon relay, or a full marathon.  You are provided a training schedule, invited to group runs, and inspired by a phenomenal team of people.  Not only will you meet a dynamic group of people, but you will also be inspired through your friends and family as they support you through the training.  The ISF Dream Team has raised over $400,000 to date, with the funds contributing to our local Charlotte community.  If you want to join the ISF Dream Team, we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org.

2018 Isabella’s Dream Team: Seeking Volunteer Cancer Crushing Leaders

After conquering many miles and many milestones over the past four years – we are Crushing Cancer again this year for your choice of several races. This team will be training in memory of Isabella Santos, who passed away from Neuroblastoma at the age of 7. We will train as one group starting in mid-July and then you can pick which race(s) would work best for you and your schedule!  The idea is to give you a choice- but also help cheerlead each other in our training schedules. Of course…along the training path- this determined group of runners will crush The Isabella Santos Foundation 11th Annual 5k/10K for Kids Cancer on Saturday, Sept 29th. The Dream Team tackled these races last year and raised over $110,000…and over $400,000 to date! Lets crush the pavement, crush our fundraising goal and crush cancer together again in 2018!

As many of you know from being part of this great group…the team work makes the dream work, so we are taking that motto and are implementing a new structure this year that will allow our passionate people to join forces to crush pediatric cancer together. This structure can apply to anyone that is interested in taking on a more active role on our dream team. 

We are seeking leaders. We are seeking cancer crushers. We are seeking passionate individuals with a desire to take their role with our team to the next level. We have committed  $5 million to establish The Isabella Santos Foundation Rare & Solid Tumor Program at Levine Children’s Hospital.  This program will impact more than just Charlotte as it will be the first of its kind in the United States. This is a volunteer based grassroots effort without the overhead of the large cancer charities.  Please email info@isabellasantosfoundation.org for more information

We are seeking leads for the following areas to help run our Dream Team in 2018:  (Please email info@isabellasantosfoundation.org for more information)

  • Fundraising LEAD: (Still Needed)
    • Help People Set Up FG Pages
    • Help Develop Fundraising Incentive Program
  • Training LEAD: (Fullfilled)
    • Develop Training Schedules
    • Coordinate Group Runs
    • Identify 2018 Race Options
  • Communication LEAD: (Fulfilled)
    • Coordinates Emails
    • Communicates Socials, Group Runs, etc. 
  • Recruitment LEAD: (Still Needed)
    • Help Coordinate Socials 
    • Attend local events/races to recruit members
    • Help Develop Referral Incentive Program
    • Work with Local Businesses for Monthly Partnership
  • “Hype Squad” LEAD: (Still Needed)
    • Coordinate and Develop Cheerleaders/Hype Squad for our DT members
    • Coordinate Cheering sections at local races and events
    • Coordinate the spotlight of Dream Team Members and Weekly speakers

If you are interested, please email us ASAP at info@isabellasantosfoundation.org

 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Over the past three seasons, Isabella’s Dream Team has been fortunate to have the support of our community. This year is no exception. Our team continues to grow and so does our community support.

Team Sponsor: OrthoCarolina

This is the second year that OrthoCarolina will be our sponsor and we can’t thank them enough for supporting our mission and help us grow in the Charlotte community. OrthoCarolina is one of the nation’s leading orthopedic practices and your destination for comprehensive orthopedic care.

Team Partners:

Omega Sports has been with us since the inception of this team, and has provided VIP treatment to us every year. We always look forward to our group runs with Omega Nation and we can’t thank them enough for their unwavering support. Best Service in Sports Since 1978.

Core Revolution is new this year and will be our cross-training headquarters. We are extremely excited to partner with them. Their South Charlotte location offers:

  • Cycle with smart software creating visual simulations and feedback throughout your ride
  • Rep N Ride is a circuit training class that builds strength and endurance as you rotate through eight stations during the 45-minute class
  • Barre Rev’d features dynamic resistance training designed to target specific muscle groups that will lengthen and strengthen core, legs, arms and glutes for a full body workout.
  • To check out their class schedule www.corerevclt.com. FIRST CLASS IS FREE.

The main thread that all three share is that they are all very eager to give back to our community. That’s why we are thrilled to have them on our team and excited to shine the spotlight on them, run with them and make them part of our training throughout the year.

What’s New in 2017?

New to our training schedule will be a training program for the Isabella Santos 10K (Sept 30th). If you’re not quite ready for a half marathon, this would be a great stepping stone. Fundraising Commitment Level: $500.00 minimum.

One to Run. One for Fun. This is a challenge to run the Rock N Roll Savannah Half Marathon Nov 5th and run the Charlotte Half Marathon Nov 11th. We’ve had several participants do this throughout the years, but this year we are adding additional swag and twice the fun. Fundraising Commitment Level: $1,000.00 minimum

Always an option:

As part of our giveback initiative, we are proud to announce that this year Isabella’s Dream Team will:

Our team has raised $314,165.00 over the past three years and if we hit our goal of $200,000 this year, that will mean over a half million dollars has been raised to help kids fighting cancer right now.

Want to join us? You can find out more information about us here: One Team. One Mission.

How to join the team?

  • Email Coach Tom at tom@isabellasantosfoundation.org
  • Create your First Giving fundraising page: 2017 Isabella’s Dream Team
    • $500 commitment (per person)
    • $1,000 commitment for the “One to run. One for fun.” back-to-back challenge.
  • Register for your race and distance
  • Recruit your friends, family, coworkers to join via social media and let them know you just joined #isabellasdreamteam

Training starts July 10th.

Are you in?

 

 

One Heart. One Mission.

It’s hard to believe, but this will be the fourth season of Isabella’s Dream Team. What started as a simple idea to introduce runners to this great Charlotte charity has become a movement. We are runners and run walkers that range from novice to competitive that believe in something that is much bigger than any single one of us. How can we make a difference right now for kids that are fighting cancer? We choose to define ourselves by our action and we want you to join us.

Our team has experienced tremendous growth over the past three seasons and we do not expect anything less in 2017.

2014: 25 participants raising $34,608
2015: 64 participants raising $114,479
2016: 150 participants raising $165,078

The passion that drives this team is something I never imagined. You see, I am one of many that never met Isabella. Most have only been introduced to her through pictures, stories and videos. I knew I wanted to get involved with this foundation when I watched a video and heard her tiny voice.

WHO ARE WE?

Isabella’s Dream Team is an endurance running program that raises money for The Isabella Santos Foundation (ISF), while training for half and full marathons. ISF is a Charlotte non-profit charity that raises money for Neuroblastoma research, as well as, supports our community (Community Blood Centers of the Carolinas, Levine Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish Central & Western NC & Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte).

In 2016, we were voted the Best Charity Program by Endurance Magazine.

We continue to be a grassroots effort, and look to grow our impact locally and expand into other communities. We are currently recruiting runners and run walkers to join our passionate team in Charlotte, and surrounding areas. If you are not local to Charlotte, join us virtually from your town, select your own race and still be a part of this wonderful cause.

The fundraising component is minimal compared to the larger charities that ask you to cover the difference if you do not meet the minimum. We simply ask each participant to commit to fundraising at least $500, but our hope is that each person will fundraise much more than that. We offer high end incentives that will run each month during the season to encourage everyone to raise the bar.  In 2016, we were voted the Best Charity Program by Endurance Magazine.

Our target races this year: Isabella Santos Foundation 10K/5K for Kids Cancer (9/30), Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah (11/4) and Charlotte Marathon (11/11).

  • New this year: Train with the team for the ISF 10K on Sept 30th.
  • RnR Savannah offers a half and full marathon, and a half marathon relay (6-7 miles per person).
  • Charlotte Marathon offers a half and full marathon, and a marathon relay (5 runners: 4-6 miles increments).
  • New this year: “One to run. One for fun.” challenge to run back to back half marathons in Savannah & Charlotte. $1,000 minimum fundraising commitment comes with swag bag filled with lots of goodies.
  • We’ve had teammates in the past run: Chicago Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, New York City Marathon, and numerous others as part of our team. It’s your choice what race you’d like to do, and we could always adjust the training schedule to match your race.

WHAT WE PROVIDE?

  • Training schedules (10K, half, half marathon relay, marathon & marathon relay) – training starts the week of July 10th.
  • Team swag
  • Weekend long runs, weekday run options
  • Socials
  • Camaraderie
  • Motivation

HOW TO JOIN THE TEAM?

  • Email Coach Tom at tom@isabellasantosfoundation.org
  • Create your First Giving fundraising page: 2017 Isabella’s Dream Team
    • $500 commitment for 10K, half or full marathon.
    • $1,000 commitment for the “One to run. One for fun.” back-to-back challenge.
  • Register for your race and distance
  • Recruit your friends, family, coworkers to join via social media and let them know you just joined #isabellasdreamteam

Our goal this year: 200 participants raising $200,000. 

Training starts July 10th.

Are you in?