Westside LA Team In Training - Summer 2009 Marathon & Half Marathon Team

Name: Carlos Tarcisio Pineda
Team: Westide IRONMAN Team!
Number of TNT Seasons: 4
Last TNT Event: Oct 2008: Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco

Why did you join TNT?
I joined TNT to stop running and training for marathons by myself, meet new people and attempt to make a difference in this world. TNT & LLS seemed like a GREAT organization to combine my passion for running with my desire to help others and do some good in this world.

What was your best fundraiser?
Pub crawl I did with Veronica Diaz on Main Street in Venice. It was DA BOMB and we raised nearly $1100 for LLS. Great turnout, smiles all around and cold beverages to enjoy the summer…what could be better.

Most memorable TNT moment?
This is a hard one. There are too many. One is bonding with my teammates during marathon weekend in San Diego for Rock N’ Roll Marathon. That was my first season and the one that got me hooked. Another one is standing at the finish area of the Nike Women’s Marathon after I finished and watching my mentees cross the finish line one after the other. Watching the emotion on all their faces as they finished was priceless.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I would have attempted to attend more of the socials and fundraisers. I was very busy with work but looking back I COULD HAVE made the time. DO IT! You will not regret it and you will meet some of the coolest people in your life. I also would have been more social at practice…instead I zoned out on my runs.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
NEVER give up! KNOW you can do it! TRUST that any limit your mind has set was MEANT to be broken and shattered.

“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever”–Lance Armstrong

Lastly, know you WILL make a difference and help save lives.

GO TEAM!

Carlitos
http://www.ironmancarlitos.blogspot.com/

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This will be an ongoing series, where we will feature an alumni so you, our readers, can learn some new things from people who has done it before. If you’re a Team in Training Alumni, please fill out this form (or please spread the word).