anyone familiar with Team in Training?

[615bride]

I am going to a Team in Training informational meeting on Monday.
I'm really excited about marathon training and raising money for such a good cause. Is anyone familiar with this? I'm wondering how long they give you to train and raise all of that money?

[Leslie Ferguson]

I'm not specifically familiar with Team in Training (TnT) but I've run marathons for Team Diabetes and Joints in Motion (Arthritis). Typically the fund raising organizations give you around 6 months to prepare for the race. Fund raising - depending on your goal they like to have funds committed about 6 weeks prior to the race - thus you get about 20 weeks to raise money.

Which Marathon are you thinking of training for?

I hope that you keep working with the TnT folks - a worthy charity.

If you have any other questions - especially running type ones (I've run 3 marathons and have just finished training for one that I will run in 2 weeks) you can either PM or check out in Healthy Living - Weekly Workout/HLSG - we discuss a lot of running and workout things there.

Best of luck,
Les

[food girl]

I have done 2 TNT century (100 mile) bike rides. Are you doing the bike or the marathon? The first meeting and the 'event' are usually about 5 months apart. TNT provides a coach and assistance with fund raising. I had to raise $3500 and $3800 I raised well over $4500 both times, but at the time it seemed hopeless that I would get even the minimum. You will be shocked at how many people will give you money.

Before the TNT century the most I had ever rode in one day was 75 miles. I wasn't sure that I could do the training schedule - I did, somedays struggling along but in the end I was in great shape.

It will all seem overwhelming at the time but I had so much fun and I made some awesome friends in the process.

You can PM me if want and you can count on me for a donation :)


Lisa

[615bride]

Thanks Les and Lisa! I would be training for the marathon but the ones listed in the brochure are the Country Music Marathon which is April 26 (no way I'd be ready) and Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 1st. Could I be ready for that? I'm not sure. That would give me four and a half months to train. I'm thinking that might not be enough. I do feel better about raising the money though!
I'll keep you posted...

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by 615bride
Thanks Les and Lisa! I would be training for the marathon but the ones listed in the brochure are the Country Music Marathon which is April 26 (no way I'd be ready) and Rock and Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 1st. Could I be ready for that? I'm not sure. That would give me four and a half months to train. I'm thinking that might not be enough. I do feel better about raising the money though!
I'll keep you posted...

I think you're being realistic about marathons which won't work. Country Music probably isn't doable. I think most people (unless they are experienced marathoners) would be hard pressed to get ready for a marathon in 3 months. And to top it off you still have to raise funds AND train. Either one will take a lot of energy - both together and I'd put you up for Super Woman.
Rock 'n Roll in San Diego is possible but I think would depend on your fitness level and how much running and/or run-walking you already do. But June 1st will be a lot easier to train for. Are there any other marathons that area available closer to home (NC I think I read)?

BTW - do you know what TnT requires for each of the marathons?

Happy trails,
Les

[615bride]

I guess my problem is that I'm impatient and haven't waited until the meeting to get the whole scoop of information. The meeting is monday night. I work out five days a week mostly cardio. I could comfortably run four to five miles by myself now. I don't want to end up injured. The brochure they sent me when I signed up for the meeting listed only a few events and the only marathons were Country Music, Rock N Roll and the Midnight Marathon in Anchorage with which I have a schedule conflict. Are there more that aren't listed or is that it? I'm not sure. Country Music is closest to home right now but it's just too soon.

[MaryH]

Like Lisa I've done the century ride with TNT (in Tucson). At the informational meeting they will tell you what events are listed for that "season". The SD marathon is one of their main spring events. Like Lisa said from the time of the informational until the event it is usually at least 5 months. (This is (1) to give adequate training time and (2) adequate fundraising time). Because they get people from all levels of fitness, their program is quite good at structuring the training to fit everone's needs. (They will typically have a beginning, intermediate, and advanced training plan and you opt for which one you think you fall into. I know that here the running trainers (who have a lot of marathon experience) will tell beginning runners that it is perfectly fine (and even encouraged) to walk, then run, then walk part of the marathon (i.e. run 2 minutes, walk 2 mintues, run 2 minutes, etc; depending on your level of fitness.) If you decide to do it, you will be absolutely amazed at what you can accomplish over that training period.

Also like Lisa said, PM me if you'd like more info. :D

[food girl]

Funny thing, I'm talking to the Knoxville TNT marathon team this week. I think it is the Country Music Marathon Group. I am the "nutrition coach". I always ask the group about their running experience, who has run a marathon before, who is running/walkng etc. I am always inspired by the people who have never even run a single mile who are signed up! To be honest, every year I toy with the idea of doing the marathon just because of those people.

Soooooo, If they can do it, YOU can certainly do it too!

Lisa

[Kristilyn1]

A TNT alumni here! If I remember correctly, you will probably be talking about their fall events which include the Maine Marathon and Dublin, Ireland. I did Dublin in 2000, the date will be sometime around October 30th. I highly recommend that event! Good luck at the meeting---you will have all your questions answered tonight!

Kristi

[615bride]

Okay, we had our meeting and it looks like I will be running the Rock 'N Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 1st. If anyone's ever run it or has any tips in general, they are more than welcome. Our kick off party is this Saturday and then I'll have to start raising my $3600!

[Leslie Ferguson]

Originally posted by 615bride
Okay, we had our meeting and it looks like I will be running the Rock 'N Roll Marathon in San Diego on June 1st. If anyone's ever run it or has any tips in general, they are more than welcome. Our kick off party is this Saturday and then I'll have to start raising my $3600!

Although I've never run that one I hear San Diego is a great marathon. My coach and a couple other of his charges will be going to San Diego too (he coaches for Galloway among others).

For the marathon - it should be fairly warm, at least compared to now, in June. The course could be hilly depending on where they actually start but it shouldn't be too bad.

For training - there are lots of ways to skin training - I'd be interested in hearing the proposal from your coach.

$3600 - that's a good figure for a fund raiser. Dublin (mentioned above) is between 4200 and 5000 depending on the charity. 3600 should be reasonably doable.

Take care - the fun is just beginning.
Les

[Laura]

Just wanted to add something about San Diego in June (I lived there for 18 years). The weather shouldn't be too warm for a marathon. When you live in San Diego, you become all too familiar with the "June Gloom." Basically it means that when you are on the coast you often have cloud cover until about 2:00 in the afternoon, and then it returns around sunset. It actually can be quite cool in the morning (well for San Diego anyway ;) ). I think the marathon is run along the coast, so you shouldn't be experiencing too warm of weather. How fun, I am running my first half-marathoon this year. Depending upon how I do, and how well I like it, I may go for the San Diego marathon the following year. You can probably do a google search and it will tell you about the layout of the race. Good luck!

[SusanMac]

615 bride - congratulations on running your first marathon and doing it for a good cause!! Definitely keep us posted on your training & fund-raising. There are a lot of folks around here who will be training for summer racing events.

Kristilyn1 - One of my goals is to run an international marathon. Would love to hear about your experience with Dublin! I like to travel for races (makes a vacation that much more rewarding, and what a great way to see a new city). But...I've learned that marathons are so stressful that it would be tough to combine an international race & vacation. You end up worrying about how much you walk, eat & drink prior to the race. Then, following the race, you're spent. Any info about how you managed this in Dublin would be great. For example, how many days prior to the race did you arrive? How did you spend those days?

[jjsooner73]

Oops, I posted this exact same topic and then did a search.

615bride-please let us know how your marathon went? And also about the fundraising. My boyfriend and I are attending an informational meeting next month. Any encouragement and suggestions would be quite welcome!!!