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

Name: Ross W. Prout
Team: Westside LA Marathon Team
Number of TNT Seasons: 3
Last TNT Event:Honolulu Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
I wanted to achieve a bunch of goals at the same time. They included 1) Running a marathon 2) Visiting Alaska (during the midnight sun) 3) Meeting new people and 4) Doing something charitable.

I knew I would do all those but didn’t know how many friends I would make or that I would end up being a mentor for two more seasons.

What was your best fundraiser?
I’m a big fan of the PubCrawls… They get everyone out of their running shoes and in a festive mood. They also can raise a lot of money for the cause without much overhead.

Most memorable TNT moment?
At the end of my first season as a mentor, I ran every step of RNR San Diego with three of the participants that questioned if they could finish. I took great pride their accomplishment and it was much more special than “my” marathon.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
My first season I was reluctant to use a water belt. I thought they looked kind of goofy and uncomfortable. It turns out that a water belt can be your savior. I now find it more difficult or at least awkward to not run with one.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
When I started TNT, I mainly used it as a training program and rarely did any non-running events with the team. Towards the end of the season and beyond, I realized what a great core group of people I was getting to know. Now many of the people from my original season (and subsequent ones) are still my closest of friends. Get out to the events and have fun. The training is great, but but it’s only one component of TNT.

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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 have done it before. If you’re a Team in Training Alumni, please fill out this form (or please spread the word).