Just a small note from your Mission Captain.  I want to re-iterate Coach Chris’s message for the San Diego crew…please rest and take it easy this week.   During my first season I got a bad case of tendinitis and I could not run for 2 weeks prior to the race.  I was worried, but I listened to Chris’s advice and all was well.  Not only did I finish, I had a blast.  So please listen to your coaches, captains, and mentors.

Some tips for Taper Week:

1) Make sure you are looking at the training schedule.  Both the full and half are at 45 minute mid week workouts.

2) You may experience aches and pains during the taper that you have not felt up until now.  This is normal so do NOT stress out.  Your body in a taper will start to heal itself and ailments may reveal themselves as the healing process is taking place.  Just be patient, respect the taper, it will pass and you will feel amazing standing at the start line.

3) The whole season and the race really are mental battles.  Just chill out and take your mind out of the equation.  Remember all of the lives you are saving (Laura, Krissy, my mom, Stevie, etc) and picture yourself crossing that finish line arms reaching for the sky.

4) HAVE FUN!  You earned it.

Peace, Love, and Pork Ribs…=)

– Javier

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).