The DanceBlue Marathon is only two days away! From 8 p.m. on April 7 to 8 p.m. on April 8 dancers will take the floor of Rupp Arena to raise money for the UK Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Clinic. During these 24-hours dancers won’t sleep or sit in solidarity with the kids. Here are some tips for dancers to make it through the marathon:
Change of clothes: During all 24-hours you will be dancing, running, and generally moving alot. Make sure to bring a few changes of clothes so you don’t have to wear your sweaty clothes the whole time.
Change of shoes: After standing for a few hours, a change of shoes will make your feet feel so much better. Make sure to wear comfortable, athletic shoes that will not hurt your feet over long periods of time. Sandals are also nice for an hour or two to let your feet rest after hours of being in closed shoes.
Tennis/Lacrosse ball: A marathon essential is a tennis or lacrosse ball. Grab one and roll your feet out to give them some much needed relief.
Get good rest before the marathon: You will be awake for at least 24-hours, so make sure to get good rest in the lead up. Don’t stay up too late or wake up super early and avoid strenuous physical activity for a few days before the marathon.
Be responsible with caffeine intake: You may be tempted to drink energy drinks to help yourself stay up but remember to stay safe. Too much caffeine can lead to a crash later on and can make you nauseous, jittery, and give you a headache.
Drink water: Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the marathon. Bring a water bottle and fill it up at the hydration station regularly to keep yourself energized and healthy.
Take advantage of the snack station: The snack station will have all kinds of snacks from granola bars to fruit. Make sure to eat when you’re hungry and get all the nutrients you need to keep you dancing.
Participate in the games: Programming committee has worked hard over the past year to create fun games for all 24-hours. Get involved with your morale group and play to win the Morale Cup.
Support each other: If you see other dancers struggling, support them. Work together to stay awake and enthusiastic. We are all there for each other!
We can’t wait to see you at Rupp Arena!