The First TNT workouts!!!

We had our first TNT training sessions!!!! Ella and I had a blast running in the park with TNT. Check out the pics below which we took in my apartment BEFORE we ran (see how non-sweaty we looked, be thankful I didn't take post-run pics). Our first training session was last week and it was a light run- looping around the lower loop in Central Park. They are dividing us up into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. For now Ella and I are splitting up and doing our own distances which is both sad (because who doesn't want to run with a friend) and good (because now we are making new friends!). I am of course one of the slower runners in my grouping but I will go the long distance even if I am last to finish! Within the first couple of minutes of my first run I was taking it easy and running by myself and a TNT mentor immediately spotted me alone and started talking to me- it was so cool! I kept seeing this happen, anytime a participant was alone for a second a coach or mentor would run over to them and start a conversation. This is really good because right now we are doing some pre-season training and so every run is an easy, conversation-pace run.

This week's run was a little longer- the middle 4 mile loop in Central Park. Again, I was constantly surrounded by mentors and coaches. It is so cool to meet someone new each practice, it's such a social way to run. In fact, this time I ran with 3 different people during the run. I can't thank the coaches and mentors enough for supporting us through the run! Oh, and after the running we do some light stretches and conditioning- which is nice until they tell us to get down and do plank position so that we are up close and personal with all the grime on the ground in Central Park! There was a social at Doc Watson's after practice this week and it was so much fun. There were so many people that came out after practice-it was amazing! Ella and I stuck around and chatted with some other participants for quite awhile. Then a majority of the people had left and we played a fun Icebreaker activity, which allowed us to get to know even more people- how cool!

The Run for Water-April's race

So I haven't posted in awhile and I missed the race recap for my April event. On April 18, 2010 there were over 200 global events held as part of the Dow Live Earth Run for Water The New York City event was held in Prospect Park and it was an incredible event. It was a 6K race-which is the average distance women and children walk to get water every day. I showed up late because the subway took forever to get out there but it was such a cool event they let me register and start even though the official start had already passed! Everyone there was really cool and the post race concert was amazing! I got to see The Roots and John Legend-awesome! The concert was such a blast. And there was a collection of water-related organizations at the "water village" and I stopped by a really cool booth- Athletes for a Fit Planet. We had a really good discussion about ways to be a greener runner and it was a great combination of two of my interests-running and going green!
The race itself wasn't that difficult but it was my first race after my marathon so it felt really great to be back. There was really only one hill and it was more the gentle sloping kind than an intense incline. It was the perfect little challenge for my first race back. And now I can't wait for my next races. I am hoping for a 10K in both May and June!

The Challenge (an explanation of the adventure)

I have been thinking about what I want to get out of this experience that is personal to me in addition to the fundraising for Leukemia and Lymophoma Society and the training with Team in Training. So I decided to issue myself a challenge that will serve to personalize this adventure for me. I am going to throw down the gauntlet and say that I will run one race a month from now until the marathon. Of course, this doesn't mean that they will all be marathons, or even half marathons. Actually, I would like for them to be shorter 5k or 4 mile races and living in NYC I don't think it will be too difficult as it seems there are constantly events in Central Park. I have essentially been doing this since last August when I ran my first half. Between then and now I have only missed a race in February. Maybe I will describe them later, but at least now it's clear that I am not too crazy in this endeavor, I have a little experience so far. Besides, I am a very slow runner and I rarely go into a race thinking I am going to push hard and go super fast. Mostly, I just love the experience and want to take it all in and enjoy every mile.
I am running this event with my friend Ella Tyler- check out her blog here- and I am super excited because she will be training for multiple events as well. She is running the Nike Women's half marathon AND the ING NYC marathon- 39.3 miles only a few weeks apart!

The Adventure

Welcome to my blog about my Team In Training Adventure!

I just ran my first marathon (LA on March 21, 2010!!!) and within a week I had signed up for my next (Nike Women's Marathon, San Francisco October 17, 2010). Crazy? Maybe. Adventurous? Definitely! Why did I choose to sign up for another marathon so soon after my first? Because I have wanted the opportunity to train with a great friend and raise money for a great organization, Team in Training. So, what is Team in Training and why would it excite me so much that I signed up while I was still in post-first marathon haze? Well, to get some raw stats you can look at the Team in Training website, but let me tell you about it from my perspective.

Team in Training (TNT) is an organization that changes the lives of people in two ways. First, as the name implies, they train people. Seeing as how I just completed my first marathon I can feel somewhat confident saying that training for a marathon changes you. TNT trains athletes for marathons, half marathons, cycling events, triathlons, and hiking adventures. The social support they provide along the way will only enhance the overall experience of running a marathon. Second, and arguably most importantly, TNT raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). While it has grown to be the largest endurance sports training program, like most great ventures, TNT began as a grassroots attempt. In 1988, Bruce Cleland created a team to run the New York City marathon in honor of his daughter, a survivor of leukemia. The team consisted of 38 members and raised $322,000 for LLS in that first year.

So, I hope that you will join me on this adventure as I blog about my experiences with TNT and running in general. In my next blog post I will tell you more about why I consider this to be such a big adventure and what exactly I hope to accomplish along the way.

Of course, I would sincerely appreciate your support in my fundraising goals. To help me in my goal, you can donate to TNT securely online by going to my TNT personal fundraising site here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/nikesf10/jchapleau Also, a check (from US banking accounts only, made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) can be sent to me.