Saturday Group Run

This past Saturday, I had an opportunity to meet some of the TNT Triathlon team.  The group was a mix of the Half-Ironman Gulf Coast team, and the Olympic St. Anthony's team.  The group was mixed; men, women, young, old - just a reminder that it doesn't matter how old you are or even what your current shape is, with some dedication and hard work, anyone can do a triathlon.

The group is high-energy, more than I could handle that morning - rolling out of bed at 6:30am and braving the 26 degree weather is not my idea of a relaxing weekend :)  The first 1.5 hrs was a Tri 101 clinic, where the different coaches and TNT staff talked about safety, nutrition, equipment, and other administrative items.  I knew for sure I needed additional equipment for winter training, and the clinic gave me some ideas and places to visit.

Before we got started that morning, Arline, an honored TNT teammate and Non-Hodgkin's survivor stood before the group and talked about her experience.  Back in the 90's, two days before she was to run the Marine Corps Marathon, she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  The doctor said, you can run the marathon, but you probably won't finish - but to her doctor's surprise, not only did she finish, but she recorded a personal best. Over the next several months, she underwent every known treatment at the time, non of which helped to mitigate the disease. She entered a clinical trial in NY, resulting in the removal of the disease.  The trial treatment, partially funded by the very organization that TNT is training for, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, is the reason why Arline can stand before us and share her story.

Following the morning clinic, the group went out for a 30 minute run.  Running is probably my least favorite thing to do alone, so having a group to run with was great. Whenever I feel the need to stop, or I feel like I can't go anymore, I think about people like Arline and Winnie, who have fought or are fighting the disease as we speak, and I am honored to have this opportunity to raise money for a cause that could, in the future be used to cure and save the lives of those we love.