Thanksgiving - Thanks For A Great Season

Thanks to my benevolent donors, awesome mentor group members and remarkable team mates for another eventful season.

Till we meet again for Spring 2010 season, Sayonara!

It was a perfect day at Monterey Bay with a cool breeze, mild winter sun, sea gulls flying overhead and sound of waves crashing on the shore. I was lucky to run a near perfect race at Big Sur Half Marathon and record my personal best time of 2:36

Showing off with Big Sur Half Marathon 2009 Finishers Medal

Wearing the traditional TNT 'medal' of Gu packet on a string after finishing the last long run of the season for me at Oracle Bay Trail

Exchanging running notes after a long run

Organized a garage sale with all proceeds donated to LLS

Posing with San Jose Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon Finisher's Medal where a new PR of 2:49 was created only to be bettered a month later at Big Sur

Coach Amy providing instructions before a long run:
"Follow the chalk marks on the trail and don't get lost!"
Cheering Joo and Marcie at Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco

Chatting with mentee Jeri after one of the early long runs of the season
at Palo Alto Baylands
Trotting about in 'Mentor' Tee at Thursday track practice at Cobb Track
in Angel Field, Stanford University.
High intensity participants Rachelle and Anna are seen in the foreground.

Coaches recommend an ice bath after a long run. An alternative is standing ankle deep in freezing waters of the Pacific Ocean at Pillar Point, Half Moon Bay

TNT participants are a mix of people from every walk of life:
out-of-shape folks like me or amazingly healthy angels like Rache and Ali

At a post run brunch. Seen here with Becky - our run team manager.
Will miss Becky from next season as she makes a career change outside LLS.

Hit Show Returns for Third Season!

Community Captain Katie perfects her pose as a reception committee volunteer

Lots of behind the scenes activities go in before the kick-off.
Team in Training touches lives in every (in) conceivable way.

I have returned for my third season with Team in Training.
This time I am a mentor to seven super- sensational would-be marathoners:
Lisa, Vicky, Jeri, Aubree, Cassie, Pei-Pei and April.

At the Fundraising Faire, I hosted the Letter Writing table and showcased my fundraising letters, fundraising site from last season and this blog.
Lots of folks signed up for soft copies of letters and how-to instructions.

Early morning crowd at Shoe & Gear Clinic makes a beeline for bagels and orange juice.

Inside Road Runner Sports store at San Carlos, CA with my shopping list.

Mary Anne (left) finds my shopping intensity amusing.

I am wearing new shoes - Brooks Trance 9 (Stability Control)

Coach Shyamal explaining the mysteries of sports bra.
As per TNT race checklist, it is optional for men!

Listening wide-eyed to Coach Shyamal demonstrating shoe & gear

A Brand Champion

"Congratulations! Our SUGOI team has reviewed your application and would like to inform you that you have been accepted as a SUGOI Brand Champion!"

Brand Champion limited edition apparel features the northwest aboriginal artwork of David Franklin. The prominent Thunderbird in the design is an aboriginal symbol of power.

Sugoi Brand Champion program supports and encourages outstanding people who differ from your average athlete – those who set themselves apart by their passion and commitment to push themselves to inspire others and to embody a motivating attitude, wherever they go. Sugoi has indeed chosen someone with the ability to be inspirational and to make a difference!

Join the Virtual Run Team

Sometimes your schedule does not allow you to join one of the run teams for regular workouts.
Perhaps, you are living at one of the exotic locations far away from the nearest run group.

Team in Training has launched a new initiative just for you -

Virtual Team in Training (VTNT)!!

VTNT participants receive all of the benefits of TNT participants and more, including:

• Training to run or walk a marathon or half marathon, provided by online experienced coaches and experts
• Transportation and accommodations to the featured event
• A once-in-a-lifetime experience to complete a personal goal and, at the same time, to help stop leukemia and other blood cancers from taking more lives
• Your very own Web site to help tell others about your participation in TNT and to help raise funds online from friends, family and co-workers