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

Name: Sheila Estaniel
Team: Westside LA Marathon Team
Number of TNT Seasons: 2
Last TNT Event: 2008 Rock N Roll San Diego Full Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
Completing a marathon was something I wanted to cross off my life list. I joined TNT to help me prepare properly, and I also liked that they raised money for cancer research.

What was your best fundraiser?
We did a pub crawl, which was a lot of fun, but I had the most success with picking up the phone and personally letting family and friends know why I needed their support. Make sure to either get their credit card number on the spot or arrange a time to pick up their checks. The easier you make it for people, the more willing they’ll be to help.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Crossing the finish line at the 2008 Rock N Roll Arizona marathon. It was my first event, and my family drove from California to cheer me on. It was also the weekend I really got to know my teammates.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
Definitely attend more hill training and Sunday practices. I skipped one too many, and I felt the burn on race day.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Start your fundraising efforts EARLY! You don’t want to make those frantic last minute phone calls hours before deadline. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. And get to know your teammates. Some of the most inspiring people you’ll meet are part 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 has done it before. If you’re a Team in Training Alumni, please fill out this form (or please spread the word).