Training Schedules : The Key to success is attending GTS!

So it's official, the spring GTS (Group Training Session) schedule is in full effect. We are running at least 3 times a week with a cross training workout and support of our amazing coaches provided by Team In Training (TNT). The groups of marathoners training have different levels of running experience from beginners to advanced runners coming together to achieve an ideal fitness level to complete a full/half marathon event with TNT. Many of us including myself have never ran 26 miles, and we know that there is a great task ahead. All in the spirit of raising funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, this challenge can never compare to what cancer patients endure during their treatment. So with good spirits, and positive attitudes we will continue to run even when our legs say they are too tired to go on! We will sacrifice some evenings and precious Saturday mornings in the cold winter weather to improve our pace, speed and technique. Here is the map of the training route we will be running this season.

Meet Our Honoree Team Member

 Kate Davis was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia at the age of 3. After enduring over two years of treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Kate is now in remission and today she enjoys all the things a typical 7-year-old likes to do. I had the opportunity to meet Kate today at the Kick Off ceremony for all spring Team in Training participants. She spoke alongside her Aunt who is a TNT Alumni, completed 5 marathons and raised over $200,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She is vibrant and full of life. Her story is an inspiration to us as we prepare to take the first steps in our 5 month journey to the finish line. At the young age of 7 Kate knew a very important fact, she said "...today with the help of God and the LLS I am here. Today because of the money you have raised we have a 90% survival rate...so keep fundraising! This 26mile challenge is nothing compared to the battle that Katie fought to be here today! During my peaks and valleys in this journey, I will make sure that in those difficult moments, when I almost want to quit, I will remember that what I am doing is saving lives!

Marathon International de Paris 2009 : la course / The race - 2/3

I was checking out the 2009 race in Paris and wanted to share the video I found on youtube. An estimated 35,000 runners participated in last year's event. Looking forward to being a face in the crowd for 2010!

Signed up and ready to train!

I just signed up for the Paris Marathon 2010 with Team in Training (TNT) as a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Team in Training is one of the largest non for profit sports training programs training over 389,000 participants, from first timers to seasoned athletes for marathons, half marathons, triathlons, 100-mile century bike rides and hiking adventures. The organization has been around for over 20 years dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. More than $600 million has contributed to research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma.

I am gearing back into training mode. After completing the Westchester Triathlon with Team In Training (TNT) in Sept. I realized that the experience with this organization was memorable and I plan to join them in another sports enduring event soon. What I didn’t know at the time was it was going to be so soon! LOL When I received the TNT October Alumni Newsletter, I was so excited to see the 2010 Paris Marathon as one of the events offered! I have wanted to travel out of the US for some time now and this was a perfect opportunity to do so in support an excellent cause. So as I train for this amazing event, I invite you to join me in the journey! Kick off for TNT members who joined this event is on Tues Nov.17th and this is also the start of the 5 month training program for the marathon. I am looking forward to meeting some teammates and the incredible coaches who will work with a gang of first time marathoners to achieve this goal. I also will be fundraising for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS), with a goal of $6k to support the organization’s mission in the fight against cancer. I look forward to the peaks and the valleys that will be discovered in the journey. In addition to this being my 2nd sports endurance event, this is my FIRST time ever traveling out of the US. It is going to be an amazing experience, so join me while I document my progress of my training to achieve this goal!