The Most Magical Race on Earth

Last weekend TNT RI ventured out of the cold New England weather and headed down to the place where dreams come true: Disney World! For the last four months, our Team of 13 runners and walkers have been training for the 20th Anniversary of the Disney World Marathon and Half Marathon, a race for the kid inside of all of us. For five days, I had the pleasure of spending every waking minute with this inspiring, spirited group of participants; and we weren't alone! With just over 1,000 participants down for the race, we painted Disney purple. From the airport to the race expo, it was big smiles and cheers of "Go Team!" all weekend long, with purple shirts that had traveled from all across the country to take part in the most magical race on earth.

{Our half marathoners on race morning!! Ready to go!}

The weekend began on the red carpet, where race day nerves were no match for the Inspiration dinner on the eve of the half marathon, as powerful guest speakers captured the attention of the audience and brought most of the room to tears. The ballroom was full of passionate runners, walkers, coaches, staff, family, and friends, all brought together for a common goal: a cure. The room erupted with cheers and applause as it was announced that this group raised $3.4 million for LLS, an overwhelming number going towards blood cancer research and patient services. Once enough pasta was consumed and race day reminders were covered, it was time for our Team to retire to their rooms for the night and rest up for their 5:30am start!

{3am and all smiles!!}

The schedule was the same for both days, the half marathon held on Saturday morning and the full marathon held on Sunday morning. With sun nowhere near rising, the rest of our resort was woken up by cheers and laughter just before heading to the starting line. A 5:30am race start means a 3:30am shuttle to get there; what fun! The weather was kind to the runners at the start and held a comfortable 60 degrees for most of the race, allowing for shorts and sleeveless shirts, a style our participants haven't fashioned in months! Despite the rising heat as the sun came up, each and every TNT participant was helped by the dozens of TNT coaches that spanned the course, and making sure everyone reached the finish. At the finish line it was all hugs and tears, our teammates flashing their well-deserved medals to family and friends, posing for dozens of victory pictures! And our Team quickly discovered the best part about finishing a race is the relaxing that comes after it!



{Leah after her first marathon!}

Reflecting back on the experience, our Team found that it was hard not to be excited all throughout the race. With beloved Disney characters lining the entire course and TNT cheer teams every few miles with whistles and cowbells, waving wildly to everyone wearing purple, the energy out on the course was unbelievable. Shouts of "Go Team!" filled the air every step of the way, driving participants to complete their goal. Season after season, TNT participants finish the race with the same life-changing experience our Disney Team had. Just as you're starting to hit the wall during the race, ready to flag down a volunteer to drive you to the finish, you remember why you are there: for a world without cancer. Suddenly the pain vanishes and your second wind powers you through to the finish line, fists in the air, a smile on your face. Whether you finish in your best time or your worst, you made a difference.

A huge thank you to our incredible Disney Team for fundraising over $50,000 for LLS this season and for completing their race!! They are rockstars!! Thank you to our participants Liz Perry, Jackie Price, Patricia Sprague, Dan Sprague, Gretchen DeLue, Stephanie Oles, Thea Cerio, Linda Fagundes, Nikki Fagundes, Gwynne Coupe, Leah Lewis, Matt Hoxsie, and our top fundraiser, who was also in the top ten fundraisers nationally, Bob Spadano! And a thank you to our fabulous run and walk coaches, Dianna Glass, Bob Dagesse, Alan Barrington, Jim Doyle, and Cynthia Tanzi for coaching our team to the top this season!! GO TEAM!!

~Alex

{Nikki, Linda, and Bob showing off their medals!}



{Coaches with the last TNT participant! Incredible!}



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!

Healthy Holidays!

It's the most wonderful for time of year...for anyone with a super sonic metabolism. It's the season of giving...by giving our daily diets an extra helping of calories. With the holidays upon us, we find ourselves loosening our belts and switching to a diet of milk and cookies, so it's no coincidence that Americans find their jeans to have a tighter fit in January. The average "holiday dinner" can supply upwards of 3,000 calories...in just one meal! With endless side dishes and dense desserts, it's hard to avoid this caloric splurge that is the holiday season. Here at Team In Training, we are all about helping you be your best, and we don't take time off from that goal despite the holidays! There are numerous ways to stay slim and fit during the holidays while still enjoying those creamy mashed potatoes and decadent pecan pie! All you need is a dash of exercise and a pinch of self control!

The most important part is knowing the stats; bear in mind that these averages and may be modified for certain individuals. The average American should be consuming approximately 2,000 calories a day to maintain their weight, and one pound of fat is worth 3,500 calories. How many times have I heard my mom say "I gained three pounds in one day!"? I assure you, mom, that you did not consume 10,500 calories on top of your daily 2,000 calories...however, it is very easy to tack on an extra 1,000 calories per day during the holiday season, ensuring a weight gain of 2lbs per week.

What's the easiest way to avoid this unwanted weight gain? Eat less and BURN THOSE CALS! Fit a workout in each day to keep your calorie count down. "Too busy" to workout during the busy holiday season? Here are some tips:

• Holiday shopping? Park your car in the farthest spot from the entrance and power walk the sales! Skip the food court, you have plenty of treats at home!
• Take the stairs; everywhere! Work, shopping, errands, walk walk walk!
• Spending time with the family? Get outside and throw the football around! Take a walk around your neighborhood with the family!
• Join TNT for a weekend training run or walk! Newcomers and alumni alike!

It's important to remember that every calorie burned counts! As for the eating less:

• Fill up on healthy appetizers, raid the vegetable and fruit platters and go easy on the chips and dip!
• Chew your food slowly, be aware of how much you are eating. It's easy to wolf down a plate of food and go back for seconds, but if you allow your body to realize how much food you've consumed, seconds won't look as appetizing to a full stomach.
• Avoid over doing the desserts; one slice of pie contains roughly 350-500 calories, depending on the pie and the slice...keep this number engrained in your memory before going for that second slice!

Remember, these are just the basics! There are lots of great websites that contain healthy holiday recipes and quick and easy workouts, but use these tips to enjoy your holiday in the slimmer way!

Mission Monday: Motivation

Often times TNT participants are asked what their motivation is for their training and dedication to the program. What gets them to run mile after mile without taking a break? What stops them from pressing the snooze button in the morning for that early training? Each season, to help make Team In Training a more personal and meaningful experience for all participants, we have our beloved honored patients. Some of our participants have a personal connection, maybe they are a survivor or have someone close to them who has been affected by blood cancer, while others have no connection to LLS and want to help the cause. Team In Training's  honored patients serve as a beacon of light to all participants, reminding us why we train.

Our Disney World Marathon Team's honored patient this season is Maya Spadano, who, at only 4 years old, has been battling leukemia for over a year. Her strength and courage has inspired us all here at TNT, as has her father, Bob, who is running the half marathon in Disney for the Team. Yesterday at the group run training, members of the Disney Team got to meet Maya and her big sister Juliana, putting a face to their cause. Meeting Maya and Juliana, seeing them laugh and crack jokes (mostly at Bob's expense), really meant the world to the Team. It was the best reward after finishing their long run, to see the smiling faces of the little girls they were running for.

{Some of the Disney Team with honored patient Maya and her big sister Juliana!}

TNT Takes the West Coast!

Is there any greater feeling than crossing the finish line of a race? Yes...when you know there's a Tiffany necklace waiting for you there. NWM 2012

{Bria and Ari sneak behind the NWM Run sign}

{Sea Lions resting up before the race!}

Last weekend TNT sent a spirited group of 16 participants to San Francisco to take on the Nike Women's Marathon and Half Marathon. Full of excitement and led by the fearless Kayde Wagner, the Team made the most of their trip by exploring the city in the days leading up to the race. From scenic bus tours around the city, to lazy sea lions lounging at Pier 39, the group had an unforgettable adventure. Pre-race jitters were no match for the incredible Inspiration dinner the day before the race, where leukemia survivor Kelley Cohen told her story to thousands of TNT participants before running the race herself!

The morning of the race came, fuel belts and all, and the moment our amazing Nike Team had been training for all season was finally here. Along the course they had a lovely view of the Golden Gate Bridge...and some handsome men in tuxedos!! At miles 10 & 25 was Kayde with her cheer team, the fiercest women on the course! Giving our participants one last boost before the end of the race, Kayde and her cheer team were greeted with smiling faces and "Go Team" cheers from the crowds of runners and walkers. Our little Ocean State sent 16 participants, all of who conquered the race, beaming as they crossed that finish line. And finishing the race has its perks: each finisher received a custom Tiffany necklace, some of the famous Ghirardelli chocolate, and a Nike Women's Marathon finisher's shirt...all given out by shirtless fireman and tuxedo-dressed gentlemen...needless to say we will be back next year.


{Kayde's Fierce Women cheer Team!}

Congratulations to our incredible team, you are an inspiration! A special thank you to our participants, who's hard work and dedication was exceptional since day one of training: Amy Shah, Anne-Marie Flaherty, Arieana Carcieri, Bonni Kirkwood, Bria D'Amico, Christine Pierce, Donna Drew, Jo-Anne Serydynski, Kathryn Taylor, Kim Sadowski, Linda Dagesse, Lisa Baccari, Marybeth Van Winter, Nicole Zelenak, Peggy Clarke, and Tammy Poisson.

A thank you to our coaches and staff who went as well! Alan Barrington, Bob Dagesse, and Kayde Wagner

GO TEAM!

{Pre-race with Team Nike!}