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

The team was in good spirits on this 7-8 mile run heading north from the pier up to 26th st on San Vicente.

Follow some of your teammates on Twitter – here is what some of them said about this past Sunday:

Lori – LJ3000 “Really fun 8 miles with @westsidelatnt today …even in the heat!”

Mary – mcpuggle “At the Firehouse with @westsidelatnt. 8 miles in the sticky heat today, we are a smelly bunch.”

Candice – cowhateration: glad @westsidelatnt practice was in SaMo… those 8 miles didn’t feel too shabby (& fresh, non-camp-fire-ish air is nice too!)”

Amanda – CheckOutAmanda “Just finished running 8 miles w @westsidelatnt now going to eat @ieatatronis”

Don’t know what’s Twitter all about? Stay tuned this week and we’ll tell you. Then we’ll tell you how to use it taking advantage for your fundraising!

Our coaches have updated the schedules up to week 12.

Download training schedules

• Santa Barbara Half Weeks 1-12
• Honolulu Full Weeks 1-12
• Arizona Half Weeks 1-12
• Arizona Full Weeks 1-12

The PDF downloads are also available below the calendar on our Calendar page, or the Downloads page.

The following stores will give you a 10% discount (there may be restrictions) if you mention you are with Team in Training:

• Phidippides: 16545 Ventura Blvd., Encino (818) 986-8686
• Runergy: 13541 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks (818) 905-0020
• Top to Top: 2621 Wilshire Blvd. Santa Monica (310) 829-7030 or 4224 Lincoln Blvd. Marina Del Rey (310) 821-6111
• Arch & Sole: 745 N. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles (310) 323-857-1775
• The Starting Line: 114-A Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey (310) 827-3035
• SportEve: 3849 Main Street, Culver City, CA 90232 (310) 838-6588
• Advanced Chiropractic – Dr. Guirguis – 1821 Wilshire Blvd Suite 501, Santa Monica, CA (310) 829-7339

I’ve also found that other running specialty stores that are outside of the Westside LA area give TNT discounts due to the many chapters out there, so even if they are not listed here, it wouldn’t hurt to ask.

Name: Aubrey Walton
Team: Westside Marathon (Greater LA)
Number of TNT Seasons: 2
Last TNT Event: 2009 San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
I joined TNT to accomplish one of my life goals of completing a marathon. I also joined becuase I had just moved to Los Angeles from Ohio in April 2008, so I did not know more than five people in this city. I knew I had to get out and do something to make some new friends, so I put the two together and joined TNT! When I moved to LA, I also met some cancer patients at UCLA, and their drive for life made me want to join TNT in their honor.

What was your best fundraiser?
The best fundraiser I did was to nominate one of my guy friends for the Bachelor auction. He ended up selling for $350 and all that money came directly to my fund. It was great and so much fun! I also sent a ton of letters out to everyone I knew, while also updating my personal website every Sunday after our long runs to let people know what I did that week.

Most memorable TNT moment?
There are so many fun moments with TNT that it’s hard to choose just one. My most memorable would have to be running the actual marathon and being with all your new best friends doing something so amazing, together. The entire weekend was a blast, and after the race, celebrating with all your amazing new friends, in ONE hotel room, was definitely a memorable night. The 80’s Party was another fun event. Hilarious.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I really wouldn’t have done anything differently as I am really pleased with how my first season went. If I had to choose,one thing I would have done differently was to actually watch what I eat and change my diet. Your body changes so much and your appetite grows out of control, I only seemed to crave food items that weren’t the “healthiest” of options. Boy, they were good though!

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
HAVE FUN!!! You will meet people that will become your best friends. You spend so much time with your teammates, you get to know them very well. Go to as many midweek runs, strength & conditioning practices, hill training, track training, etc. becuase it will help you tremendously come race day. Be creative with your fundraising and it the money will come easily. Be dedicated to what you are doing! It’s about to change your life forever!

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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).

Come join all your TNT friends from the LA Chapter (not just our Westside LA team, all the other LA teams too!) to throw down and get wild! No, this isn’t a fundraiser.. Just a night out on town!

Thrown by E&M Events, an amazing event duo by your own TNT Marathon Team’s Fundraising Captain Erin, and TNT Marathon Alumni & Ironwoman Triathlete Marie. They’ve invited all walks, runs, swims, bikes AND hikes of life to bring anyone they want to a TEAM party! Door fee is waved and drink specials to all TNTers plus their guests.

They sent out an e-vite, just RSVP with your guests name and they will put you on the list!

Joe’s Joint
8771 W Pico blvd
Los Angeles, CA US
view map

Name: Rommel Calderon
Team: Westside Marathon (Greater LA)
Number of TNT Seasons: 1
Last TNT Event: 2009 San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
Last year my doctor told me I was in bad health and recommended, no, insisted, I start to diet and exercise. My roommate and other friends had joined TNT and I was impressed by how much they loved it and had a great time, so, I figure running a marathon would be a great way to get exercise and meet new people. I can easily say that joining TNT was one of the best things I’ve done. Ever. In the end it wasn’t about the exercise, but the people. I’ve made some great friends and I believe in the cause and how it affects the lives of so many. And its why I’m going to come back!

What was your best fundraiser?
As a whole, a pub crawl through 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica that a few of us organized netted the most money, and was the most fun. I also made a good amount of money when I partnered with renowned comic book artists and creators The Luna Brothers. They offered an opportunity to win signed artwork and rare comic books for anyone who donated to my fund raiser. It helped that they were my roommates in college and I had things I could use to blackmail them. But in all seriousness, they’re great friends and were honored to be able to help out.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Finishing the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon. At mile 19 I suffered through some serious cramps on both of my legs. When they hit I almost collapsed. I was in so much pain. A TNT coach from another chapter was there to help me stretch it out and I managed to get going again. I finished an hour longer then I had targeted for, but I finished. If it weren’t for TNT Alum Byong, all the awesome mentors, and even my brother-in-law, I would have given up at mile 20. When I crossed the finish line I was nearly in tears. I had never considered myself athletic, and here I was finishing 26.2 miles, and the feeling of camaraderie and the amount of support I got from everyone just made the whole thing so emotional for me. And I have to say, after all that, beer never tasted so good!

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
On the training side of things: I probably should have done more mid-weeks, but in retrospect, I would have cramped up regardless of the amount of training I had done.

As for fund raising: I would have pushed a little harder on my fund raising. People tend to wait until the last minute to donate, so next time I’ll start planning event fund raisers earlier on.

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Don’t hold off on starting your fund raising! It’s better to go over your minimum early then have to collect at the end. And do your mid week trainings!

And if you’re on Facebook, be prepared to see your friend network grow, you’re about to make some new friends!

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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).

1. Go to http://etools.teamintraining.org
2. Click on “Sign In”, which is located at the far right of the toolbar under the TNT header.
3. Enter your username and password, and click “Sign In”.
4. This will bring you to your personal online fundraising account. Select “Fundraising Toolbox” from the tabs located on the right half of the screen.
5. A sidebar entitled “Donations from Facebook” will appear. Select the purple button that says “Add to Facebook”.
6. This will direct you to Facebook. If you are not currently logged into your Facebook account, enter your e-mail address and password to log in.
7. This will bring you to a page where you have two choices, “For Participants” and “For Friends”. Under “For Participants”, click the “Add to Profile” button.
8. A pop-up box will appear about the widget. Click “Add” on the pop-up box.
9. You will then be directed to your Facebook profile page. Click “Keep” if you want to display this widget on your page.
10. If you have followed these directions correctly, the fundraising widget will now
    appear on your Facebook profile page, and will contain a link to your online fundraising page.

NOTE:
Many have asked us “Why doesn’t the widget update my donation amount automatically?”. We have an answer for you!

This is LLS’ response:
The Facebook Widget refreshes based on Facebook’s schedule, which unfortunately we have no control over. It could be once a week, twice a month, it’s up to Facebook. Thank you in advance for your patience.

This is a re-post from last season’s blog because I think this was a successful idea from some participants from the Summer season. Jeff Thieme from this season, along with others I know from other TNT chapters were some of the few who tried. It’s also a perfect time to tell you since many of you are looking to jump start your fundraising before recommitment.

I’m sure you’ve read from different fundraising blogs and top lists about this idea of selling a piece of yourself. A bit weird? Sure, but it’s a pretty good fundraiser if you’re up to the task. Last year, Kim Willingham of the Georgia chapter of Team In Training let people write their names on certain body parts on raceday for a minimum $100 donation.

What parts?

• Right Arm
• Left Arm
• Right leg
• Left leg
• Right Breast
• Left Breast
• Right cheek
• Left cheek
• Belly
• Back

See how she did it here

Name: Danielle Hanes
Team: Westside Marathon (Greater LA)
Number of TNT Seasons: 1
Last TNT Event: 2009 San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon

Why did you join TNT?
I wanted to train for another marathon, and I heard so many great stories from Coach Kelley about the Westside TNT team. My first marathon I trained on my own, and that is no fun! Training with a team and raising money for an amazing cause sounded so much better. After one season I can say it is so much more than I expected. Supporting the cause and meeting so many amazing poeple has brought me back to another season as a Mentor.

What was your best fundraiser?
My best fundraiser was the Pick Up Line Party. Supporters came to South with their favorite pick up line printed on a shirt. We played beer pong and handed out prizes.

Most memorable TNT moment?
Hmmmm… there are so many! The whole San Diego marathon weekend was perfect! Crossing the finish line at the marathon knowing I had made a difference was great. Many good times at Sunday practice, and Sunday Fundays.

What would you have done differently during the season if you could start over?
I had a lot of problems after the season was over with IT band issues, so I would have stretched and used my foam roller a little more diligently during season. And ICED!

Do you have any other words of wisdom for our participants?
Listen to your coaches, mentors, captains and good luck! I promise this will be a memorable experience.

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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).

Did you know the LLS YouTube Channel is a great source for information? Here is a video titled, “LLS from Mission to Fundraising: a Comprehensive Description”