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

Let me tell you about my experience last summer season using Twitter. First, if you don’t know what Twitter is please watch this video first

I started a Twitter account about a year ago because too many interesting things were happening in my life that I wanted to document instantly. Twitter allowed me to do so because there were so many ways to update it, via text message, online through my phone, my laptop, and through various websites. Since I was starting my 3rd TNT season, I thought it would be a good way to let my friends & family know what’s going on with my training, and also my life. So I sent everyone my Twitter address (http://www.twitter.com/sketch678) so they could follow what’s up.

Throughout the season they would see my updates, from “We just ran 12 miles!”, “We’re eating a good breakfast at The Firehouse with my new teammates”, “Please donate to my page [link]“, “We’re having a fundraiser tonight! Come out!” to “7am is sooo early! I’m barely half awake!”. It was a fun way for my friends to see what I was going through. I also had Twitter followers whom I haven’t met in person, but were very encouraging throughout the season.

Come marathon day, I updated everyone who couldn’t make it to San Diego with regular updates from “We’re awake bright and early for the big event! Now where’s that bagel!”, “About to Start!”, “…mile 17!”, “mile 24!”, “0.2 to go!” to “Where’s that free beer everyone keeps talking about?”. It was also a way for my sister and parents to anticipate what mile I was at so they don’t have to always keep searching for me. It allowed them to move from the beginning of the course to the finish line, or also gave them time to grab a snack. People thought I was crazy updating while running, but it was fun! I got Twitter replies back with words of encouragement, which also helped (Thank you! you know who you are!). Of course, I wasn’t really concerned about time (especially if this will be your first marathon), so there I was, on my walk breaks, you’d find me updating and reading Twitter. Even though I wasn’t concerned with the time, AND I was Twittering, I still beat my PR (Personal Record) by 40 minutes! Maybe it was the virtual encouragement from friends and family, or that I had so many people engaged in the marathon experience with me, that it helped me focused on the finish line.

I’ve only touched the tip of how powerful Twitter is. It has truly helped me a lot, networking with many TNT participants, coaches, staff, and alumni across the country. We’re all a friendly bunch, and it’s a great way to find out more fundraising ideas. I’ll have more Twitter-type posts in the future, but I hope it was enough for you to consider trying it out.

If you haven’t noticed, I created a Twitter account for our Westside LA Chapter. Follow us here – http://www.twitter.com/westsidelatnt

Team In Training also has a Twitter account which has valuable fundraising tips – http://www.twitter.com/teamintraining

More Twitter links soon. I’m compiling a list of TNT participants, staff, and alumni – http://bit.ly/tnt_twitter