Give it a Tri: Triathlons for Beginners!

For most of our participants, signing up for an event means that they are stepping out of their comfort zone to train for an event; to train for a cure. New events can be challenging, but shouldn't be intimidating to first timers! TNT Triple Crown recipient Arieana Carcieri gave us an inside look at her first triathlon experience, offering tips and amazing inspiration to newcomers to the sport!

You don’t need to be in great shape before training for a triathlon. Take it from me; I began training for my first triathlon while undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In January 2012, just one month after being discharged from the hospital after having a stem cell transplant, I signed up for the NYC Triathlon with Team in Training. I began my training while still undergoing radiation therapy. It didn’t matter that my body was weak and fatigued- I had a whole lot of heart, the key to completing any endurance event.

{Arie finishing up at the NYC Triathlon; her first!}

Training began with indoor spin classes and for me, swim lessons. I had never learned the proper swim technique and could hardly swim the length of a pool. My treatment had left me unable to run, so I began with walking. Instead of focusing on the intensity of my workouts, I focused on dedicating myself to the sport faithfully, six days a week. Within a month, I was able to swim laps and began light jogging. In another month’s time I could swim ¼ of a mile, cycle 15 miles and jog several miles. Eventually I began incorporating brick workouts (a run immediately after a bike ride or a swim) into my weekly training plan.

Within 4 months, I successfully completed my first sprint distance triathlon, alongside my teammates! Two weeks later I found myself in NYC swimming 1.5k down the Hudson River, biking 40k alongside Westside Highway and running 10k through Central Park! It was impossible not to get choked up while running through the finishers’ shoot, as I thought to myself ‘What an achievement!’ The greatest feeling of all was celebrating with my team, knowing that each one of us had accomplished the one goal we had been working so hard for.

{Arie with some of our chapter at the NYC Triathlon!}

My love for the sport continued to grow and I committed to another 6 weeks of training, this time to prepare for Timberman Ironman 70.3 with a few teammates. I never imagined that I would be able to swim, bike and run for 70.3 miles, stopping only to change my gear, but I did! You can do it too, with a little heart and some great training buddies!

~Arieana Carcieri

Triple Crown Recipient. Survivor. Inspiration.

TNT Fundraiser Spotlight: Zumbathon!

One of the biggest challenges for our alumni is discovering new and creative methods to achieve their fundraising goals. Many alumni come back season after season, thrilled for new races and another chance to make a different for blood cancer patients everywhere. However, there are only so many emails you can send your family and friends before they start pretending they don't know you...just kidding! But very often, year-round fundraisers exhaust their network of donors and need to switch over to a new route to their fundraising goal: EVENTS!

{Zumba for a cure!}

I recently had the pleasure of attending a fundraiser put on by two of our Disney World Half Marathon participants, Linda and Nikki Fagundes. This mother-daughter fundraising powerhouse has been faced with the task of raising $7,000 in four months for LLS while training for a half marathon! As a TNT alumni, Linda knew she'd have to get creative with her fundraising efforts this time around to achieve and exceed their goal! The two have already put on several successful fundraisers this season, their most successful being a Zumbathon that was held last Wednesday. Linda utilized her friend's talents as a Zumba instructor to pull together a Zumbathon which brought in just over $1,000 for LLS! For two hours at $10 a person, we sweat out the work day through contemporary dance moves set to some pretty jazzy tunes! There were also dozens of door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and food and beverages donated to the event, making this an exceptional fundraiser for all who attended. 

{Me with Nikki and Linda Fagundes, fundraising rockstars!}

The highlight of the fundraiser was the deep connection to the mission of LLS. Halfway through the evening, all dancing was stopped and a beautiful speech was made emphasizing the lifesaving cancer research and patient services that would benefit from the fundraiser. Also, the Zumbathon was held at a studio in Cumberland, RI, the town in which this season's honored patient, Maya Spadano, resides with her family. A round of applause completed the tribute to Maya and all those affected by blood cancer, and the music came back on to a room of inspired dancers. So get out there and use your creativity, you can accomplish amazing feats! In just one night, Linda and Nikki raised $1,104 while helping spread the mission of LLS to fellow Rhode Islanders! GO TEAM!

Survive Your Winter Training!

{Ah, the winter}

TNT is gearing up for the summer season and we couldn't be more excited! Except...that it's the start of winter. For many, signing up to train for a spring or summer event provides a substantial amount of motivation to get through the winter months, but that first training day where the temperature falls to freezing can be highly discouraging. The brisk winter headwinds, the dangerously icy sidewalks, the spontaneous snowstorms; why would anyone want to go outside?? For TNT participants, they brave the winter weather to train for a world without cancer. What's a little cold weather when millions are battling cancer, the fiercest storm there is? New England winters are historically not kind to athletes, but there are ways to outsmart mother nature and get to your warm weather event successfully!



{Get your gear together!}



You'll find that some days the roads are clear enough for you to take your running or cycling out to the streets, but that first blast of cold air can be enough to send most back indoors. So here's your first tip: dress for the weather. Choose dry-fit fabrics that wick away moisture from your skin; your sweat will evaporate into the air instead of freezing to your body, fabulous!! Sometimes these dry-fit fabrics are pricey, but keep in mind that they last FOREVER. Make an investment one winter and your cold weather training will be a piece of cake in the years to come! If it drops below 40 degrees, you may find you need to layer. Don't overdo your layers, you should feel a little chilly when you head out for your workout! Know that you will heat up minutes into your workout, and you will soon regret having put on twenty different shirts to keep warm. Try to cover up most areas of skin using gloves, hats, and pants that have narrow bottoms that cling to your ankles. Popular brands like Nike and UnderArmour carry a wide variety of cold weather gear, often times offering free shipping during the holiday season, so stock up now!!

Unfortunately, sometimes the weather whites out roads or brings the temperature down to a dangerously low level, making it unsafe to train outdoors. This is where that gym membership that you have but never use comes in handy! For athletes who prefer training outside, the gym can seem a little drab, where staring at a wall is about as exciting as...well, staring at a wall. Here's your next tip: spice up your gym routines! Don't let the treadmill turn into the dreadmill. It's easy to set a machine to a certain level and time and pray that the time gods make thirty minutes feel like two...but where's the fun in that? Get excited for your gym workouts by changing your intensity or speed for short intervals of time on a stationary machine, or blend a mix of cardio and strength training! My favorite workout routine website is the the Livestrong Fitness website, where you can find treadmill, pool, and stationary bike workouts, as well as a variety strengthening and flexibility exercises!



{Gym time just became fun time!}

If you are planning to train for a triathlon, be sure to join a gym with a pool, as outdoor swimming won't be feasible until at least March or April. The trick is to vary your workouts and keep things interesting! Many gyms now have tvs or virtual course for stationary machines, which definitely help pass the time and keep workouts exciting! Before you know it, spring will be here and the mother nature will return to being the best friend you could have! So get out there and challenge the winter weather, you got this!

Check our Upcoming Events page to see how you can learn more about signing up for a TNT event and train through the winter with the Team!