Shrinking Jeans *Team In Training*
**I was beyond excited when Kirsten approached me with this idea! As you may know, I participated in Team In Training for my first (and only!) 1/2 marathon a few years ago. I walked most of it, but it was the most awesome and rewarding experiences in my life.**
From Kirsten:
Hi everyone! I have some exciting news that I want to share with
everyone. As some of you may know, my husband and I participated in
the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco last month. (We ran the
half marathon.) You can read about my experience here. It was so fabulous that I all I could
think about was doing it again next year with my sisters at Shrinking
Jeans. The motivation that I received from them allowed me to finish
my race running the whole way. And I didn’t think I could do it.
The Nike Women’s Marathon is sponsored by The Leukemia and Lymphoma
Society. That means that their program Team In Training
which helps raise money for LLS while training
for an endurance event such as a marathon (or half), triathlons,
century bike rides, and hiking adventures. The presence of the purple
shirts worn by TNT participants was huge. Every where I turned there
was a purple shirt. The whole way of the 13.1 miles there were TNT
coaches and mentors on the sidelines cheering their team on. It made
me smile every.single.time.
After we got home I started thinking how great it would be to have a
Shrinking Jeans team for TNT. I ran the idea past Lissa and Christy
and they agreed. So I went on a mission. TNT has a virtual training
program. Since the sisters (and brothers) are from all over the
country I thought this was the best avenue to pursue. I contacted the
virtual TNT and found out that yes, we can train through the virtual
program. They offer all the benefits of participating in a local
chapter of TNT but it is conducted online. How perfect is that?
Since we are already motivating and encouraging one another through
the SJ website and through our blogs, this could be an extension of
that.
So my question to you is, how many people would be interested in
participating in a marathon or half-marathon next year as part of a
Shrinking Jeans team? I wanted to take a poll of those interested to
find out which event we could have the highest number of participants
at. There are many races throughout the year. We were thinking that
maybe one of their June events would be best because of kids’ school
schedules, but we are open to whatever the majority wants to do.
There is a list of the races that VTNT participates in here.
I want to be open about the commitment you would be required to make.
Not only would you be committing to training for and completing the
race, but there is also a minimum fundraising amount that must be met
in order to be part of TNT. The smallest amount required to fundraise
is $3500. But I believe that as a team we could help motivate each
other to meet these goals.
I have been in contact with Virtual TNT and they are extremely
supportive and willing to work with us as a team. I would appreciate
feedback from those interested in participating. (You can email me or contact Melissa or Christy at
SJ) I believe that we will get so much out of this experience if you
choose to take this leap. My husband and I will be participating in
the Nike Women’s Marathon again next fall whether or not we do it as a
SJ team. It was that powerful of an experience. So who’s with me?
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Category: Fitness, MIND IT, Melissa, Shrinking Guest Contributors, The Sisterhood, Virtual Team in Training
I kind of like the idea of the Seattle Rock n' Roll 1/2 in June, myself. ;o)
so each person is supposed to raise $3500?
i'd definitely be in for the training but i'm not sure i could even get close to the fundraising amout.
Yes, and it will cover race entry, singlet, lodging, airfare…
Each race has a different amount you have to raise and other than expenses, it will go to the LLS.
The fundraising is A LOT of work, but it is so worth it.
The 1/2 I did was a in-state race, and we had to raise $2500… I managed to raise $2700, but that included a corporate sponsor for a thousand of it.
I agree that the fundraising will be huge deal, but from what I understand they give you guidelines and the tools necessary to reach your goal. Also, as a team, if the team receives a large donation, we can split it between those participating. Think about it, though, it would be a blast!
I'm all for the training, but as others – a little worried about the fundraising!! I'm in! I was thinking of (trying to do) doing one in May anyway, so this'll be great!
I'm think I might be up for the training, but not the fundraising. I might just have to do my 1/2 marathon/marathon virtually and sign up for one closer to home that doesn't require me to fundraise so much money.
I am SO in! SO IN!!!! With the amount of time we'll have to fundraise and the potential for corporate sponsorships, I don't we'll have any issues raising the money AT ALL!
My plan is to donate the amount of the plane ticket and lodging. Unless I raise enough and don't have to!
I'm hoping we get a few more people. I agree that the fundraising looks scary, but I think in the end with the contacts SJ already has plus a little creativity locally for each of us, there is lots of potential. Also, the sooner we pick a date, we can actually start fundraising ASAP. I would like to see us have about 10 people for our team. That's a lot of fundraising, but it's a good size group, and maybe we can make even bigger waves out in the public's eye. I'm just envisioning so much more opportunity for SJ with this.
Depending upon which race/time is selected, I might be interested. I was training with TNT about 3-4 years ago for a half and had to drop out due to an injury. They told me at the time that I could apply the funds I raised then to another race. I should find out if that offer is still good or if it's been too long.
Agreed. The fundraising is a lot, but we will also have SIX MONTHS to do it in. Sure it takes commitment and effort, but it is for a wonderful cause!
Awesome! You should definitely look into it!
WOW! I hope they let you apply your funds-already-raised! That would be awesome!!!
And if you already have a support system in Seattle, that would rock :)
I would definitely look into seeing if you can your fundraising applied.
Is anyone else interested in a different run. Seattle will be tough for me. That weekend is sandwiched between a family reunion in Maine and a conference in Chicago. If that is the overall consensus, then I will do what needs to get done. The timing of San Diego would be better for me.
I thought the San Diego was a full marathon only?? NO THANK YOU.
San Diego is a half too! I am NOT ready for full marathons!
The VTNT website says full only.
And also just checked the San Diego Rock n Roll website to see if it was a mistake, and you can only register for a marathon. :o(
You're right it does. I'll have to email Julie, because the info she sent me says it is also a half.
Just heard back from my contact at VTNT and there is a half-marathon in San Diego. The website is wrong and will be changed! Thanks Lissa for pointing it out.
I would be up for San Diego. I love San Diego!!
So Seattle or San Diego are both appealing…
I need to discuss this with my husband. ;p
OK, if's San Diego, I just might be IN. Husband's family is in Los Angeles and we're due a trip out there. It would be awesome to have my family meet me at the finish line.
Yeah!! We'll get you yet! We can do this fundraising!
Talk and discuss and we WILL do this!!
I think its a great idea…but I have to many things that may interfere with timing. (month-end schedule, possibly may be pregnant, in a wedding, etc.) I'd hate to sign up only to blackout possibly.
Also fund raising scares me…that's alot of cash and I wouldn't have the extra to front for travel. I might train along and try to do something closer to home if I'm able. SUCK
There are a lot of if's there! :) If you are interested, and you put forth the effort to fundraise, and then life happens, I know they do offer applying your fundraising amount to a future event. I'm not sure how long they will “hold” the amount, but that is something to consider.
I am starting to be swayed…
My thing is that I would love to have Dave there with me. I'm not sure we could swing that, no matter where it was.
I'll have to think on it.
What, Dave's not up for driving cross country with your rugrats so he can
meet you at the finish line? :P
-C.
I want to say yes, but….
there are so many “but's”….
Hmmmm….
Uh, no…LOL! For the San Diego race, the kids aren't even out of school yet. Plus, he's going to the Seattle area himself in late July so I don't know that he'd be too keen on going twice in a month.
Are you going to Seattle with him???
I doubt my hubby will be around either. But, that's okay. There is a time and a place for everything.
Say yes, SAY YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seize the day! ;p
i love this idea, i LOVE THIS idea SO MUCH! i so want to run a 1/2 marathon with everyone! my only problem is that I am torn. I'm already asking all my family and friends to empty their pockets for the March of Dimes just before then. And that cause is just so near and dear to my heart that I pour all my fundraising efforts into that, and I'm just not sure I could raise the amount for the Team In Training. I have to think some more on it. But I so want to run a 1/2 with all of you ladies!!! I'm torn.
Dude, there are corporate resources to be tapped and bake sales to be had…
Um, okay, like I said earlier, if I can walk I'm in. I voted for San Diego to help Kirsten out, but I'm up for Seattle too. I'm just still kinda mad at the Lymphoma people… They flat out lied to my husband on the phone awhile back, and now we don't receive mail from them.
The fundraising is scary! and the dates are a bit hard for me – I might still be in school for both dates. I will, however, look for some event closer to home! can a person walk an entire half marathon?
The fundraising is scary! and the dates are a bit hard for me – I might still be in school for both dates. I will, however, look for some event closer to home! can a person walk an entire half marathon?
[...] the Nike Women’s (half) Marathon in October. You can see the history of this evolution over here. We are pretty excited about going to San Diego next June. I believe we are going to have about [...]
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[...] the Nike Women’s (half) Marathon in October. You can see the history of this evolution over here. We are pretty excited about going to San Diego next June. I believe we are going to have about [...]
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