Dy-no-mite! (AKA Team in Training)

I was super excited when my boyfriend's sister Lorraine told me that she was in training for a triathlon. I was even more excited when she told me that she is doing it as part of her local Team in Training program. Why? Oh simple....

I LOVE TNT!!!!!

TNT is the whole reason I got into running. I consider my running love the side effect from the charity work I did with TNT and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society here in Michigan. I had lost 60lbs, and decided to help other people through pushing myself into something I have never done before.

Oh yes - this non-runner became a marthoner thank to TNT. And all of the blood, sweat, and tears that I shed during the training mde my love for the underlying organiation that much greater.

I learned during my time with TNT something which strengthened me as a person. I am reminded of this lesson at every single event where those purple singlets are present. The lesson? Life is short... life is precious. And to give of one' self is so much better than to live life not thinking of bigger and more important things.

To say that the pain we go through to accomplish this is a drop in the bucket compared to what these cancer patients go through in their battle is sadly both true and an understatement.

Every time I am struggling and I see a purple singlet, I am reminded of the gift of life and how valuble it is. I actually tear up when I see all the singlets for all of the organiations out there. These people are giving of themselves... but more importantly there are people out there depending on them for finding cure... for saving their lives and the lives of people who will follow them.

I took a gander at Lorraine's total for the monies she is pledging to raise, and I saw that she is short on funds.


I donated, and talked to friends, family, and coworkers, and they have donated. Now I am taking the task to my blogland friends out there and asking for help to get both Lorraine to the starting line, as well as more importantly helping out this great organization.

You can find Lorraines page here.

I want to personally thank every ssingle TNT person out there. I know a lot of us runners have done a TNT program. I know a lot of us have been touched by both this and other charity running and endurance sport organizations. I just want to thank each of you for the time you have given to help these causes.

My last post talked about volunteering at a race. This one is about volunteering yourself to a cause. If you have not already done a cycle with TNT - why not do one? The comradarie, the fun, the team spirit - and most importantly the cause... every single thing you will gain from the experience is a personal growth plus.

You may even find that your running/walking/cycling/tri life will never be the same. And if you are a non-runner - you may even fall in love with it like I did. No... I am serious. YOU may even fall in LOVE with running. (I understand if it will take a while to get your head wrapped around that one... so please feel free to take a moment before reading further.)

TNT offers many events including half marathons, marathons, triathlons, and century bike rides. There is a little bit for everyone, and they welcome runner and walkers alike in certain events.

I will leave you with this...

GO TEAM!

})i({ Runnergirl, TNT Winter Cycle 2003