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

Name: Marie Schneider
Team: Westside Iron Man Team
Number of TNT Seasons: 5
Last TNT Event:Currently on the IronTeam

Why did you join TNT?
I am not going to lie, when I first join the TNT Marathon Team in July 2006 I was doing it for selfish reasons, I was lucky enough not to have any connection to cancer; I just wanted to get in shape, I had never ran more than 6 miles and wanted to complete a marathon. I fell in love with the cause and more importantly with the people I met through my first season, I totally got hooked and did 2 more seasons with the marathon team, one as a mentor and one as a team captain.

In 2008 I took on another challenge and joined the Triathlon team, I did not know how to swim and bike so it was a totally different ball game. Once again I got addicted to the sport and I am now the Fundraising/Mission Captain of the Ironteam! Trust me when I first joined TNT I never thought I could do a marathon and especially not one at the end of an Ironman… anything is possible people!!!

What was your best fundraiser?
During my 5 seasons with Team in Training I have participated, organized and attended many fundraisers…
I would say my favorite one to organize is the Bachelor Auction, it’s a blast each year, but my more lucrative and fun was the pub crawl I did in march 2008

Most memorable TNT moment?
too many to list… each event I did with Team in Training was a blast, it is always emotional to cross that finishing line because you worked/trained so hard for it..
but I would have to say that finishing my first marathon was one of the best feeling ever

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
to be honest nothing, I met the most amazing people ever, completed races I never thought I could do and I am currently working on my lifetime dream to become an Ironman… I don’t think it can get any better!

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
HAVE FUN!!!!! do not go for a time, each time I did that I had a horrible experience, hit the wall or was disappointed… just enjoy each race, especially if it’s is your first marathon, finishing is all that matters, if you have no expectations you will end up doing better than you even thought you could!

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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).