Team in Training

Where do I begin...Well, I guess from the day I sat in on a Team in Training meeting. After my first season of triathlons and burnout, I knew that I wanted to try joining a club or a team for some moral support. My best friend Becca's mom was just diagnosed with Non-Hodgekins's lymphoma, so I thought, well, I want to join a group and want to help out her mom, so maybe I should look into Team in Training, the country's largest endurance sports group that fundraises and trains together. I went to a meeting in early September where I learned about Team in Training, heard inspirational stories, and heard about my racing options. I would train with a team and coaches two days a week, and train on my own the rest of the time. We would help eachother fundraise and race together for one cause in Florida. We would be eachother's moral support, and sometimes physical support. I loved what I heard, so I signed up. I have not looked back since.



I was nervous. I have NEVER fundraised before, let alone having to fundraise $4,200. I grabbed some TNT paper and envelopes, and some change boxes and walked out wondering if I could actually do this. Luckily, I had a contact at TNT who let me open my website early. My website consists of a picture of Becca's mom, her story, and my goal, and a scale of how much money I have raised so far. It was so difficult staring at the scale--I had so far to go and no clue what I was doing. However, what I did know is that I was no longer doing this for myself...it was for Debra. If there are days I don't want to get up, I think of her. If there are days when my body aches and I have too much to do, I think of her pain compared to mine. Training became almost easier and something I had to do because it was no longer about me. I had a goal, a purpose, and it did not just involve me anymore.



I met my team at our first kick-off meeting, and had the chance to speak to my mentor Erin for the first time. She is really sweet and very easy to talk to, and I have turned to her so much for support and could not have a better mentor. I missed the first group training because I had gotten utterly and completely lost! I could not find the UIC pool for the life of me, so I spent my training time looking for the pool. I was upset, but knew I would meet them again on Wednesday, however, that did not happen. UIC did not have TNT on their schedule, so training was cancelled and everyone went home. I FINALLY met my team and training on Saturday at Athletico for a group run and stretch clinic. We all sat down and discussed fundraising matters and I received an award for fundraising over $100 within the first month and for having the most creative webpage. I met Jessica, a really sweet girl who I ended up running and stretching with that day. We got to talking about bikes, training, where we grew up, and since then we have become TNT buddies, and have decided to room together in Florida. We ran outside as a team in freezing temps, and then I went to breakfast with Jessica afterwards. I knew after that day that TNT is what I needed--I needed to train with a purpose other than myself in mind, and I need others in my life who share a common goal and lifestyle as me. I finally found it.



I guess I should start with discussing fundraising. I had my first fundraiser on October 4th at Barley Corn in Lincoln Park. I charged $35 at the door, and I only received $10 a head for LLS. I didn't expect but maybe 20 people to show, but I ended up with a little over 50 people showing up. I raised $470 that night...a small dent in my fundraising efforts, but a huge reminder that this is possible. I was a little sad I only received $10 a person, so I looked for other ways to raise money. I sent out close to 100 letters to coworkers, family, friends, and anyone I knew in the neighborhood who could help. I started asking local businesses if they would put out a change box for their customers. I started off with two at Nancy's Pizza and Al's Beef, as the owner is Debra's friend. I held another fundraiser in January--a happy hour. $5 at the door got you $2 beers, pasta, and beer for 3 hours, and I received the $5 and the tips. I raised $316, which at this time pushed me just over my half-way mark. I had a great turnout, having marketed my fundraiser with the "Three-hour long" as opposed to the Subway "$5 foot long." People still tell me they think of me when they see Subway commercials :). I was on a roll, but knew I had to host a HUGE fundraiser with a raffle and silent auction in the suburbs--where most of my support would come from since Becca's family resided in Tinley Park and the surrounding area, and that is where most of my family and friends live as well.

I decided to plan a huge party at Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park. I invited just over 100 people, and started contacting places for raffle and silent auction prizes. I received items from the Chicago sports teams, a private accessory party, 3 wine parties, golf certificates, massages, cooking classes, and a few other small items. Only 3 people RSVP-ed, which needless to say made me nervous. I showed up at Bourbon early to get set up, and the room was amazing. I had beer, wine, and food included. I charged $35 at the door, and I was able to keep $25 of it, and then had to pay Bourbon $300 no matter what. Before paying Bourbon street I ended up making $2700...it was a huge success. My dad was so sweet and hired one of the guys who plays music at Potbelly's to play, and he was great! Everyone loved him! I ended up having a great turnout, and was so impressed with everyone's willingness to purchase raffle tickets and to even give me more money at the door. Upon leaving Bourbon street, I counted my earnings, and realized "Wow...I did it." I was $200 shy of the $4,200 I needed.

To this day, I have raised a little over $4500, and I still have a few checks to cash and change boxes to collect. My personal goal is $5000, in which I think I will reach. After numerous letter campaigns, follow up phone calls, and fundraisers, I accomplished what I never thought I could.

So the friends and the training...the best part. Every Wednesday, TNT meets at UIC at 8pm to swim for an hour, and every Saturday morning at different locations to swim, bike or run. This past Saturday, April 4th, we did a great brick workout up north. 80 minute bike ride and a 20 minute run. I got to ride my new bike, Achillies--a Felt F85 road bike with Shimano 105 components. He is amazing! I do have to say though that at this point biking will be my weakest leg since I have only been clipped in a few times and out on my real bike about 4-5 times (thanks to the Chicago weather being less than ideal).

I tear up talking or even thinking about my team. Every Wednesday that I hop into that pool, if I am tired, if I feel like I cannot...I still do. Every Saturday when I am tired and just want to sleep in, I don't. I get up and meet up with everyone to train. Yes, we have all had our share of mornings when we were out too late on Friday and didn't show on Saturday, but the majority of us are always at training. We all have had our respective fundraisers which have been so fun. This past Saturday I attended a beer pong tournament at Mickey's, and had a blast! We all support one another, and spending the money is not an issue since we all know where it is going. Everyone is so kind and so genuine, and I feel so grateful to have met so many great friends through TNT.

I recently purchased a triathlon jersey for the race...I could wear anything I want, but I feel the need to represent why I am doing this, and what I have been working so hard towards for the past 4 months (a year a half if you count all of my last races preparing for my first Oly). I leave in 2 weeks and 3 days, and I get chills and goosebumps just thinking about it.

I am now addicted to fundraising. I recently signed up for the Chicago marathon with the Chicago Area Runners Association. I will train with CARA, and raise money for TEAM CARE, a team for the Alzheimer's Association. I have to raise a minimum of $262...small potatoes to what I just raised. I am excited to begin that journey as well. The marathon is a whole other ball of wax that I will blog about once I begin training. The marathon is in preparation for my Ironman title in hopefully 2011.