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

Archive for the ‘featured alumni’ Category

Name: Carlos Tarcisio Pineda
Team: Westide IRONMAN Team!
Number of TNT Seasons: 4
Last TNT Event: Oct 2008: Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco

Why did you join TNT?
I joined TNT to stop running and training for marathons by myself, meet new people and attempt to make a difference in this world. TNT & LLS seemed like a GREAT organization to combine my passion for running with my desire to help others and do some good in this world.

What was your best fundraiser?
Pub crawl I did with Veronica Diaz on Main Street in Venice. It was DA BOMB and we raised nearly $1100 for LLS. Great turnout, smiles all around and cold beverages to enjoy the summer…what could be better.

Most memorable TNT moment?
This is a hard one. There are too many. One is bonding with my teammates during marathon weekend in San Diego for Rock N’ Roll Marathon. That was my first season and the one that got me hooked. Another one is standing at the finish area of the Nike Women’s Marathon after I finished and watching my mentees cross the finish line one after the other. Watching the emotion on all their faces as they finished was priceless.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I would have attempted to attend more of the socials and fundraisers. I was very busy with work but looking back I COULD HAVE made the time. DO IT! You will not regret it and you will meet some of the coolest people in your life. I also would have been more social at practice…instead I zoned out on my runs.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
NEVER give up! KNOW you can do it! TRUST that any limit your mind has set was MEANT to be broken and shattered.

“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever”–Lance Armstrong

Lastly, know you WILL make a difference and help save lives.

GO TEAM!

Carlitos
http://www.ironmancarlitos.blogspot.com/

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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).

Name: Emily Conlon
Team: Westside LA Marathon
Number of TNT Seasons: 5
Last TNT Event: Santa Barbara Half Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
I was new to Los Angeles and wanted to try running a marathon. The Team in Training program seemed like a great way to train while doing some good in the world.

What was your best fundraiser?
The highest one-time donation I earned was working as a committee member for the Bachelor Auction during the Summer ‘07 season. It was organized by our fundraising captain, and it was really successful.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Running through the Alaskan wilderness as fast I could during the Mayor’s Marathon in Anchorage, AK. Perfect weather, beautiful scenery (two moose!), and an amazing group of coaches, teammates and staff to share the experience with.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
Attend more social events! Our team is as committed to curing cancer as we are to meeting for happy hour!

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Completing endurance events with Team in Training is about so much more than crossing that finish line. From the first practice and your first donation received, to the final taper week and fundraising above and beyond what you thought you could do, TNT is such a powerful experience.

And I can’t think of a better way to spend my Sunday mornings than jogging at the beach and spending time with my teammates, people who are taking action to change others’ lives.

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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).

Name: Leslie Ryan
Team: Suncoast (Tampa Bay, FL) Marathon
Number of TNT Seasons: 4
Last TNT Event: RnR San Antonio

Why did you join TNT?
I joined TNT for a variety of reasons… finding a cure for blood cancers, folks to run with, and making tons of great friends.

What was your best fundraiser?
A fun one… raising $$ at work… folks cutting down on soda during the day and then having them give me the money they would normally spend.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Crossing the finish line in team purple at RnR San Antonio

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
Gone to more weekly trainings with the team

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Keep training, keep believing that you can complete the event, and know that what you are doing is a fraction of what the folks going through treatment.

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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).

For some of you, recommitment is around the corner. I’ve been approached by some participants about some unique and exciting ideas for fundraising. Most of my ideas come from researching other TNT fundraising pages outside of LA, checking out fundraising forums, and researching how other nonprofit organizations fundraise. The information is definitely out there, but the tough part is figuring out where to look.

A great resource for fundraising ideas are various Team In Training related and running forums. Skimming through some of the following forums, I already picked up some unique and exciting ideas such as bowling nights, magnets, buttons, having a table at an auto dealership, gift card fundraisers, restaurant revenue shares, local business reviews, and much much more.

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Community Forums
This is the official Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraising Forum for Team in Training. This is HIGHLY recommended, and contains a lot of valuable fundraising information.

Facebook Team in Training Group Forums
This is a great resource for fundraising knowledge sharing from experienced and new Team in Training members. It seems to be updated with new topics and replies frequently, and reading some of the old archives are very helpful too.

MySpace Team in Training Group Forums
Topic threads don’t go very deep, but there’s pages and pages of topics which you can read through for many ideas.

Active Running Community – Fundraising Topic
This forum isn’t a Team in Training focused page, but you can use the same ideas and techniques from other nonprofit organizations. Not much going on here, but archives can also give you some great ideas.

You really have to take the time to read through some. I encourage you to also participate and contribute. Network with other TNT participants and alumni, meet some new friends, share ideas!

Name: Javier Rivera
Team: Westside LA Marathon
Number of TNT Seasons: 5
Last TNT Event: 2009 Walt Disney World Full Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
I joined TNT to help find a cure for blood cancers and to meet some exciting new people.

What was your best fundraiser?
My best fundraiser has always been letters and emails. After that, I am a big fan of karaoke fundraisers.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Finishing my first marathon and having my mother and family at the finish line.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I would definitely attend all of the mid-week trainings and happy hours.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Focus on your fundraising early and try to meet (and surpass) your minimum as soon as you can. After that you can turn your focus to training. =)

Also, if you are looking for those awesome TNT track jackets you can purchase one at www.shopit.com/tntgear.

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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).

Name: Stacey Levine
Team: Westside LA Marathon
Number of TNT Seasons: 2
Last TNT Event: Honolulu Marathon 2008

Why did you join TNT?
I joined TNT to meet people, challenge myself, acheive a goal, help people and to feel like I was doing something good in the world!

What was your best fundraiser?
I set up a table at my workplace (a concert venue) and collected small donations from concert-goers. I also helped secure gear for a battle of the bands fundraiser and got to use part of the proceeds toward my fundraising goal.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Crossing the finish line with a giant smile on my face, and celebrating with my new friends for a few days in paradise!

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I would have made it to more social events and more team members’ fundraisers.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Your teammates are awesome. Get to know them!

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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).

Name: Veronica
Team: Westside LA Marathon
Number of TNT Seasons: 3
Last TNT Event: Nike Women’s Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
I had just broken up with my boyfriend and didn’t have any close friends who weren’t running the LA Marathon so they brought me to practice and tricked me into running a marathon. Then I tricked myself into running another one. Then I think something went very wrong in my brain and now I’m back for a 3rd season. (No joke, true story).

What was your best fundraiser?
PUB CRAWL! With Carlos on Main Street in Venice.

Most memorable TNT moment?
The victory party for Nike – they announced all the chapters and our Westside team got up on our chairs and started dancing when they said our names. Then they had to come tell us to get down. We didn’t.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
Maybe controlled my libations on Saturday nights a little better? Hm… no I wouldn’t change anything.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
HAVE FUN! Make friends, don’t rely on the one or two people you may have signed up with. Go to fundraisers and team events and just allow yourself to have a good time during the season.

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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, or anyone you know is a Team in Training Alumni, please fill out this form.