For the past several weeks the 708 dancers participating in Thon 2009 have been preparing for 46 hours of no sleeping and no sitting.
To help the dancers prepare, they were issued a "dancer survival guide" advising them how to prepare their bodies and what to pack for the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, which starts today.
"It has really great things in here. I wouldn't have known to bring that many changes of clothing," said Beth Schuda, an independent dancer. " ... I think especially as delirious as we're all going to be, it's good to have a heads up on everything we're going to be involved with."
Schuda (senior-journalism) said she has been preparing physically by spending an extra 10 minutes per workout doing cardio in the gym. She added she has cut down on sugar and alcohol and has increased her intake of carbohydrates and water. There is little she can do to prepare emotionally, though, she said.
"Emotionally, there's not much you can do. I feel like everyone is just so excited right now no one is thinking they won't make it," Schuda said. "It's just pure adrenaline and excitement that will make everyone last."
Ted Present, a dancer for Springfield Thon, said he has seen the survival guide and is trying to follow the guidelines by cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, but he is having trouble catching up on sleep. Present (sophomore-geoscience) said he has been up at 6 a.m. this week trying to get ahead with his schoolwork.
"I've been so busy the past couple weeks, so I'm not getting as much sleep as I would like. I'm trying to cut out caffeine, but I'm doing the best I can," he said. "I think I'll be fine though. I'm pretty good at staying awake, keeping on my feet. So, I'm not really nervous, just looking forward to it."
Because dancers aren't allowed to shower during Thon weekend, they have to rely on fresh clothes and socks to keep them feeling refreshed.
Present said he would be bringing changes of clothes, a toothbrush, socks and shoes.
"Just what I need to stay fresh, stay awake, stay clean," he said.
Schuda, who said "comfort and stability" was important when picking out shoes to wear during Thon, bought two new pairs of sneakers and broke them in for the marathon. She also plans on packing Crocs because she thinks she'll need a break from her sneakers.
Greg Plumb, another Springfield dancer, and Present had their heads shaved Thursday night in preparation for the weekend.
"It's a tradition in Springfield, and some other organizations, in a sense for solidarity with the kids, because so many of the kids at Thon may not have hair," Plumb (sophomore-neuroscience) said.
-- Collegian reporter Kelsey Ginck contributed to this report.
