Days spent training: 126
Funds raised for the LLS by Team Shrinking Jeans: $43,725.65
Funds raised by all San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll TNT participants: over $12 million
Miles ran/walked: over 200
Toenails lost: 2.5 and growing
Injuries and tears shed: so many
Laughs, hugs, and smiles: Far outnumbered the tears and injuries.
A year ago, I could not run more than one minute straight. Last Sunday, I ran 13.1 miles. Without stopping. If you would have told me I was capable of this last summer, I would have laughed in your face. Of course, there is no way I could have done this without the support of my Sisters and Team in Training. This last year has been trying and heartbreaking and there were many days I just wanted to throw in the towel. But they wouldn’t let me, and here I am.
Honestly? I feel different inside. The training, the race, the friendships I’ve made? Life changing. –Heather
Completing another half marathon was great, but doing it as part of Team In Training was exhilarating. The run wasn’t about me. It was about enjoying the miles after successfully raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. –Kirsten
This was so much more than training for a race. This was symbolic of so many things for me. Becoming a runner and challenging my body to new heights has given me the evidence to prove that I am capable of so much more than what I have been settling for in terms of my physical health. I have released nearly 20 pounds, I have become obsessed with running gear, I have broken my sugar addiction, I have “put it all out there” and allowed myself to be supported by a team and to support them in return and more than anything, I have become a much healthier me. Many walls have crumbled before me… The sky is officially the limit! –Tiffany Zook
Even though I wasn’t able to complete the full half marathon due to medical issues, it was still absolutely one of the best experiences of my life. It was so empowering and emotional being out on the course with 4000 other Team in Training participants knowing I was a part of helping raise over $12 million for the fight against blood cancers! As if that weren’t enough, it also rocked getting to hang out all weekend with so many amazing & inspiring ladies (& gents) from the Sisterhood!! –Melissa Miller
The TNT experience and San Diego race was an awesome event and I’m so glad I was able to participate. It was so rewarding to not only complete my first half marathon but to do it with a group of amazing women, meet everyone “in real life”, raise money for the LLS and have a wonderful unforgettable time! –Erin “Princess Pirvle” Pirkl
As a Team in Training alumni, I knew that this was going to be an amazing experience. But nothing can compare to race weekend, when all those months of hard work training and fundraising is coming to a close. Meeting up with my teammates and feeling instantly connected and forming life-long friendships has enhanced my life in so many ways. I could not have done this with out the support I have received from my friends, family, and all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. –Lissa “Pizza Joy” Anderson
The TNT weekend in San Diego was the best weekend ever! The entire experience of training for 6 months with Team Shrinking Jeans and finally getting to meet everyone at the Rock n Roll half marathon was amazing. Emotions were overflowing all weekend knowing we did a wonderful thing raising money to fight Leukemia and Lymphoma. I can not WAIT to do this again! Thanks for the best six months ever! –Jessica
Never I my life have I had an experience which evokes so many adjectives! Exciting. Inspiring. Humbling. Tiring. Awesome. Demanding. Physical. Emotional. Enriching. Grateful. Peaceful. Invigorating. Proud. Simply amazing. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program is, without a doubt, the only way to train for and partipate in any type of endurance event. Doing it with Team Shrinking Jeans was the icing on the super-deluxe cake with sprinkles on top! –Christy Mensi
I don’t think I can explain how powerful the TNT experience has been to me. From the cause itself, to having a “virtual” coach and an amazing team, (wearing a tutu in a porta-potty), spending six months fundraising and training, all of which culminated into an inspiring race weekend where you are one of literally thousands of people headed toward the same finish line… It truly was so much bigger than all of us and completely awe inspiring. I’ll never forget how this experience has shaped me. I loved every second of how hard it was. –Christie O.
Team Shrinking Jeans Race Results
13537 Erin Pirkl Dickinson ND 2:07:28 3394 (out of 13574 finishers) 13536 Kirsten Mitchell Carson City NV 2:17:59 5347 29632 Christie O’Sullivan Safety Harbor FL 2:36:31 8187 36383 Jessica Deshler Morgantown WV 2:39:10 8538 36386 Christy Mensi Leakey TX 2:44:32 9127 36382 Heather Damron Edmonds WA 2:44:33 9129 36384 Kelly Garr Dickinson ND 2:52:16 9903 36389 Kristen Senn Dickinson ND 2:52:16 9904 36381 Melissa Anderson Bismarck ND 3:12:36 11392 37105 Tiffany Zook Phoenix AZ 3:12:56 11414 34476 Nora Luoma Grand Jct CO 3:16:16 11592 36387 Lisa Moawad Cedar Park TX 3:34:21 12505 39025 Melissa Miller Anaheim CA no finish
36385 Audrey Lewis Fairfield PA no finish