The United States Corporate Athletics Association's (USCAA's) National Corporate Cup Relays (www.uscaa.org). All events are relay or team oriented. We compete against companies close to our total employee size. We move up to Division IAA this year.
What are the events?
They are all relay or team events:
women's 5K, women's 10K, men's 5K, and men's 10K team road races, scored by age group
14 track relay and two track team events
team jump (long & high jumps), and team throw (shot put & discus) events
For more info go to the USCAA web site: www.uscaa.org
What is the USCAA?
The United States Corporate Athletics Association. A non-profit volunteer organization that promotes fitness in the workplace. For more info, go to: (www.uscaa.org)
THE CHARITY
What is the charity this year?
The American Diabetes Association. International team members may choose another charity if it makes more sense where they are)
Do we have to raise money for charity?
Yes. The team's success and its future support by Booz-Allen is largely determined by our charity efforts. So please do your best. Besides, it's for a great cause.
How do we raise money for charity?
Mostly we have just let people know that we are collecting. Organized events, like donut sales, raffles, etc have also been successful. Some people at your location may even like to help you raise money for a great cause. Let people know, put up a flier, put an article in your work newsletter. Team Diabetes may also provide an individual web page for each of us to collect online donations from people.
How much money do I have to raise for charity?
There is no specific amount to raise, but the team goal is US$10,000. Keep in mind that the team's success and its future support by Booz-Allen is largely determined by our charity efforts. So please do your best. Besides, it's for a great cause.
THE TEAM
How has Booz-Allen done in the past?
Team BAH has finished first, second, or third in the six years that Booz-Allen has competed. This year we move up to the larger Division IAA.
How many will be on the team?
About 40. Depends on funds and who responds.
Am I on the team?
Not yet. If you haven't done so yet, register your interest in trying-out for the team or getting on the email list to receive further information - here.
How do I make the team?
By first registering online here. Then carefully get in shape (not too much too soon - but make sure you do something!). As you train, email me your times and distances so I know how you're doing. Don't worry if you feel slow - we need to know how you are doing and who to put together in events. If the time was taken at the end of a workout in heavy training shoes for example, let me know - I train as well, so I understand circumstances. The more the better. Just let me know - and don't wait till the last minute.
I don't have any current times or distances!
That's ok. As you train, time yourself occasionally and let me know how you are doing. The more the better. Don't wait till the last minute. Also, try to find local all-comer meets to compete in and get times.
Do I have to send in times/distances?
YES! That's the only way we can know what shape you are in, and how to arrange people in relay events. Try to find local all-comer meets to compete in. They are a great place to get times. If the time was taken at the end of a workout in heavy training shoes for example, let me know - I train as well, so I understand circumstances. The more the better. Just let me know - and don't wait till the last minute.
How is the team chosen?
Very complex higher order math. Actually, we take the responses we've received, sort them into gender and age groups, then look at everyone's times and distances and match all this against the specific gender, age, and executive requirements for all the events.
What will this cost me?
Booz-Allen will cover team flight, rental car, room, registration and uniform costs. Meals and the post-meet party costs are on your own. Submit an expense report for flight and possible car expenses when you return. Rooms will be paid for (incidentals charged to the room are yours). If you can arrange a business trip out there that weekend to save on team flight expenses, that would be great! We might get team tshirts made this year at our own expense (anyone interested in helping?).
Do I have to take time-off work?
Yes. You may be able to make up those hours during the month so you don't have to take vacation time. Usually people fly to Seattle on Friday July 20, and return Monday July 23. You could fly home Sunday night, but you don't want to miss the post meet party! A few rooms will be available Thursday night for those who have to arrive early.
Do I need to rent a car?
We will rent enough cars to get the team around. These cars will be included on an expense report by those who are assigned to reserve and drive them. Additional cars can be rented at your own expense.
What about flights and rooms?
Once you make the team and get the go-ahead, you book and expense your own flight - then submit an expense report to me (Gordon) when you return. I will pay for the hotel rooms but you will need a credit card at checkin to cover incidentals you may charge to our room. A block of rooms have already been reserved. The rooms are a few miles from the meet (closer than last year).
When do we leave and return?
Usually people fly to Seattle on Friday July 20, and return Monday July 23. You could fly home Sunday night, but you don't want to miss the post meet party! A few rooms will be available Thursday night for those who have to arrive early.
Where do we stay?
We stay in a hotel a few miles away from the meet. (Closer than we stayed last year)
Will we have time to sightsee while we're there?
Friday night thru Sunday night will be pretty booked with competition and fun. There will be a team meeting Friday evening. You'll be at the track during the day Saturday and Sunday. There is a team dinner Saturday night and the post-meet party is Sunday night. Feel free to add on personal vacation days to your trip (at your own expense) and see the sights.
Do I have to stay at the track the whole day Saturday and Sunday?
Yes. This is a team event and your team needs you to cheer them on. Also, you MAY be needed to fill in on an event at anytime. Or we may just need you help with something. The meet is a social event and some of the races are really exciting!
How do we handoff in the track relays?
We don't do blind handoffs because we can't all practice together and because dropping a baton or running outside the exchange zone is much worse than taking the added second to make sure you have the stick! TAKE the baton from the finishing runner - don't let go of the baton until the next runner takes it from you. You might want to get together with your fellow event runners to practice your handoffs.
This sounds like a lot of work, is it worth it?
Definately! Just ask anyone who has been on the team before. You won't know how much fun this is until you're there, and then you'll wish you trained more. So keep at it...you'll be glad you did come July 21-22! Look at previous years' team photos on the team web site
Do we celebrate?
Most certainly! There is a post-meet party Sunday night with food, drinks, music and dancing. Party tickets will be on sale at the meet.
Will there be a team video?
If someone brings a video camera (can anyone bring one?). I hope to add music to last year's video soon...
What will I run?
We try to fit people into the distances or events that they requested. The actual event(s) you'll be in won't be determined until a week or less before the meet. Your tentative events might be known earlier.
What are the requirements to make the team?
There are no real requirements to make the team other than register online and then email times/distances to me as you train. The events have specific gender, age, and executive requirements, so it depends on who registers. For example, if the events require five male runners age 40-49 and only three register, then all are likely to go. So it depends on who registers in your gender and age group.
Are there practices?
Yes and no. We are scattered across the globe, so we can't all get together for training sessions. But you can get together in local groups and train together. Do this if you can, it helps a lot to train with someone.
How do I get in shape?
Start training...now! But not too much too soon. You won't be any help if you're injured, so train smartly. Try to make it playful! Make it fun. Find others in your location and train together. Find a local running club to run with. Find local all-comer meets to compete in and get good times/distances. And don't forget to email me your race and training times!!
What do we wear?
We will have team singlets (like a lightweight tank top) for everyone (they look cool!). Those who were on the team last year are asked to use their last-year's singlet. We hope to provide running shorts also. We might order team tshirts at our own expense if people are interested.
Am I too old?
No! All age groups are covered by the event requirements. Remember, if only two others in your age group register to make the team and five are needed, you are VERY needed! And at the meet, you are competing against other corporate employees in your gender and age group.
