Lets get Sponsored?!

Well I never in a million years thought I would look for a sponsor without going pro.  I also seriously underestimated how quickly Ironman registration sells out...

I just happened to pop-on to the Oceanside Ironman 70.3 website on Friday to pull up some info on the course (i.e. course map for the bike course) and BAM... SOLD OUT! is right there in bright red letters on General Registration.  My heart instantly sunk to the bottom of my stomach.  All that was left was Ironman Foundation Entry slots at a limited number at $650 a pop.  I was ready to cry defeat....throw in the running shoes...take back my swim fins...and change the layout of my blog.  Then some good friends set me straight.  One friend said "Get resourceful chick"  another said.. "Do you know any local businesses who might want to sponsor you?"...well gee.  I hadn't even THOUGHT of that.  Then it all came tumbling around in my stomach, that pit of despair.  *Gulp*  you mean I am going to have to "Ask for Help"?

Throughout my life asking for help has not been one of my forte's...actually I really suck at it to be brutally honest.  I should be able to do things myself...  I also should not be "weak" so as to need help from others.  Then again I am also in therapy right now for thinking these things and as I am coming to find out I am classified as a "perfectionist" and these things that I think of as weak are actually not so I really just need to get over it.  So I finally told myself...what would suck more...to ask for help, or to give up my dream of Ironman?

So I sucked it up...whats the worst that could happen asking for a sponsor?  They say no...hmm thats not really *that* bad.  I can put on my big girl panties.  After all, I say no to my kids probably 1500 times a day, and thats when they are being well behaved ;-)

Seeking a Sponsor


So...seeking a sponsor, I put together a letter, then made some contacts to see if I could put to use any networking I have, mostly relatives.  We shall see how this goes.  But this is sort of like applying for a job, except you are trying to sell your dream on a piece of paper for exchange of money for registration fees....how do you sell yourself to convince someone this is a worthwhile "investment"?  I mean there is the charitable contribution factor, but part of me is still facing the whole fear of rejection factor.  Am I good enough, worthy enough to accept someones donation?  I mean before it was never a factor because it was just me paying for an entry fee to make a crazy dream of mine come true.  Now its dragging other people into my dream and holding myself accountable to that dream as well.  Talk about PRESSURE!  But it brings it all right back to my first blog entry....I NEED this...for myself...for my kids...for my husband and my family.  Its something that is bigger than just a bucketlist item, or just a "race" its a facet of me that needs to be completed for my sanity, wellbeing and overall health both physical and mental.  So...I am going to put myself out there, risk being told no, and see what really happens.  A little bit of hard work, a little bit of luck, and a little bit of faith all rolled into one.

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