Correction to first post. This is not dedicated to me and my marathon training. Rather, it is dedicated to my patient honoree [which will soon be revealed by my mentor, which is my dear friend Barb http://runningjayhawk.blogspot.com/]. TNT pairs each runner with a person who has been diagnosed with one of the blood related cancers such as Leukemia, Myeloma, Lymphoma, etc. Reading and hearing these heart-wrenching stories serve as a real connection to TNT's mission. Talk about motivation! So, those 6 and 7 AM training runs on Saturday morning, please remind me of this.
John "The Penguin" Bingham spoke at our training kick-off. You should all read this guy's column's appearing in Runner's World and on various websites [namely waddleon.com and johnbinghamracing.com]. His columns are not only entertaining, but also very inspiring. His athletic career started as unusually as any athlete I've heard of. At the age of 43 and 240 lbs, he got the wild hair up his bum to start running. And now, probably 60 lbs lighter, he's ran more races than he could count on both fingers and toes. And, even better, he's not running at the front of the pack with the Kenyan's, he's in the middle with all of us striving for that 4:30 marathon.
So, how did I stumble upon TNT, you ask? Well, in my first marathon in Austin, TX in 2004, all I could see in front of me were a pack of runners all in matching purple dry fit tanks. Being a die-hard Jayhawk [please refer to upcoming posts], I thought great, a bunch of K-State creeps. To my surprise, and relief, they were a team that had all trained together while also raising money. I was in agony around mile 21 and caught up with one of these purple-tank-wearing-runners. We talked, walked, and crawled together for a few miles. And as we did so, she told me of her wonderful training experiences with TNT. Every 1/4 of a mile a coach would run with her to check in and encourage her. I was amazed and knew from that moment on that I would train for my next marathon with them.
So, here we are. And here's where I leave you. Training starts this week, so wish me luck. I'll let you know how well, or not so well the first run goes.
Caoi
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...a lot about life and thoughts on my journey to complete my third, and hopefully, final marathon with TNT.
Upcoming Races
- Chicago Marathon
- Chicago Distance Classic
- Nike Run Hit Wonder
- GMR- an all night relay from Wisconsin to Chicago
- Shamrock Shuffle
5 comments:
I can't believe you already posted a novel about today. And i can't believe you didn't talk about the best part, being in the new ride.
YAY! You figured out all the super fun and fabulous links. Love the sassy pic. :)
You are awesome! I'm so excited for you Tay. You are going to have to let us all know how we can donate to your groovy, groovy cause.
Yay!! I am also running Twin Cities w/my hubby!! See you there, it will be my birthday!!
you will not regret it! i ran my first marathon with TNT last october (nike womens) and loved the support. so much so i'm training with them again for san diego...
so, YAY! a fellow TNT'er... and a jayhawk to boot?! doesn't get much better than that!
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