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

Name: Marvin Tabangay
Team: Westside LA Marathon Team
Number of TNT Seasons: Currently on 4th
Last TNT Event:2008 Rock N Roll San Diego Full Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
Previous to my first marathon, I completed the Long Beach half marathon without training and I felt I could do a lot better if I had a structured training program. I’ve always heard about Team in Training, so I gave it a shot. I was supposed to join the South Bay Team, but I chose the Westside Team because I wanted Sunday morning practices. I joined not knowing one person, but since then it has changed my life.

What was your best fundraiser?
So far my current fundraiser has been my best one
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/anchor09/mtabangay

It was an idea from my friend from the New York Chapter of TNT. I contacted friends who own businesses, blogs, and websites and had a “Sponsor A Mile” fundraiser. 27 slots (26 + 0.2), each at $50 or more in exchange for their website links on my fundraising page. I still plan to mass market my site, and with their links displayed, it could be all worth it. So far I’ve made over $1900 from it.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Last summer’s San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon was my most memorable. I beat my previous marathon (Arizona Rock N Roll) time by 40 minutes at 5:08! I’m not really sure how I did it, but it really helped running with a good friend of mine the majority of the way. It was a great finish not only because of the time, but my parents and sister was there at the finish line – it was their first marathon experience, and they loved it!

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I definitely would have gone to more mid-week runs, and do more strength training on my own.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Make sure you have fun out there! Meet people outside of your pacegroup, meet people outside of your mentor group. Get involved in group fundraisers, support your teammates’ fundraisers. I believe the best part of TNT is the social aspect – take advantage of it.

Check out my running blog too
http://www.runningwithoutmusic.com

And follow me on Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/sketch678

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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).