#TNT Because : Meet Thad Smith

We are continuing our series on the blog with interviewing current Team In Training (TNT) participants. Today we are chatting with Thad Smith of Dallas.  Thad just completed his first TNT event where he rode in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride around Lake Tahoe. Thad and other members of Team Texas raised nearly $200,000 for LLS. Read on to hear more of why Thad joined up with the Team this season.  

1. What made you decide to participate in the Tahoe Century Ride? 

First, Blake and Rebecca Holmes are dear friends who I admire and respect.  Their son, Gage, was diagnosed with Leukemia 10 years ago and has been healed.  He’s a thriving 14 year old boy now.  So, I rode to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of his life.  Secondly, I’ve done other rides before which were about personal accomplishment, but not part of a group effort for a greater cause.  With TNT I was training with others focused on raising funds and awareness for Leukemia and Lymphoma research and treatment. 
  

Me (on left) and Ricardo Meade overlooking Emerald Bay

 2. What got you involved with Team In Training?

 I was asked by the Holmes’ to join their team and be part of the effort.

3. Finish this sentence, I do "TNTBecause..."

I do “TNT because I fight alongside all of the brave children and adults who are afflicted with Leukemia and Lymphoma.”

4. Tell us about the team you are cycling with. 

Team Gage is a dozen folks who are friends with Blake and Rebecca as well as a few family members.  Our “day jobs” range from wealth management to homemaker to plastic surgeon and even an adult oncologist.   Some of us were relative newcomers to cycling and needed to rent a bike while others had a good deal of experience and had done other century rides.

The team at the start of the ride @ 6AM.

Post Ride Brunch: (Left to right)- Ricardo Meade, Me, Blake Holmes, Rebecca Holmes, Houston Holmes, Sheila Holmes, Erin Schreyer, Ed Schreyer

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It's not too late to join the TEAM this season.  Register for an event today.
www.teamintraining.org

Meet the Coach: Albert Chavira

Albert Chavira is a cycle coach for Team In Training (TNT) this summer season.  Considering signing up for a century ride?  Learn more about Albert and what he thinks people need to do in order to be successful in their training.

How long have you been coaching with TNT and what was your first event?
My first TNT event was Moab in 2003 as a participant with our mountain bike program.  My coach, John Raub, asked if I'd be interested in mentoring and possibly coaching down the road.  In 2005 I was given that opportunity and I've been coaching ever since!

What is your coaching style?
It's simple, really, I coach with passion.  I'm passionate for the cause, I'm passionate about my team and I'm passionate about the TNT program.  I enjoy exchanging energy with my participants and I take that energy and reciprocate it back tenfold.

Some people are intimidated by the idea of training for a 100 mile bike ride.  What advice would you give them?
I'd start by asking what hesitations they have about training.  Once I know their concerns, I can then address them accordingly.  My role as a coach is to motivate, inspire and to lead but I can't pedal for anyone.  However, if you're willing to give the program a try (take the first pedal stroke), then I promise to provide you with the skills necessary to get you across that finish line, even if it's on a tricycle!

Is there an Honored Hero who has left a lasting impact on you?  Who and why?
A little boy named Parker Fritsch was my first Honored Hero.  He was diagnosed with leukemia (Philadelphia Positive) at the age of three.  At the time, only 4% of all acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients were Philadelphia Positive, which translated to a more aggressive type of leukemia.  Parker was prescribed Gleevec and it was that drug that helped keep him alive prior to his bone marrow transplant.  As for Parker, he's a freshman this year at Buchanan High School in California and he enjoys painting and golf.  Parker is living proof that our fundraising dollars do make a difference!

What is the best kept secret about TNT?
Well now, it wouldn't be a secret if I told you!  Come on out to training and find out yourself, all that we ask is that you give the program a try.  Who knows, maybe one day down the road you'll be asked to answer questions like I have today.

What is the best training advice you have ever received?
I attended my first TNT info meeting back in 2003.  The cycle coach that was speaking, David Gerard, told me the following, "Albert, you'll get out of the program whatever you put into it."  You can get on your bike, train by  yourself throughout the season and still make it to your event but if you show up on Saturday and train with your teammates, coaches and mentors, you'll get much more enjoyment out of the program.  He said to me that he met some of his best friends through TNT and if weren't for the investment of time that he put into the program, it would not have been possible.  I believed him then and I believe it to be true today!

Join Albert this summer season and train for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe.  Participants can select 35, 72 and 100 mile distances for this June ride.  Learn more at www.teamintraining.org/ntx and meet Albert at an upcoming training.

Meet the Coach: George Meza

George Meza is the cycle coach for the upcoming Team In Training Winter Season.  Learn more about George and his coaching style below.

1.  How long have you been coaching with TNT and what was your first event?

I have been coaching Team In Training cycling for four years.  My first event with Team In Training was the Shiner Texas 100 Mile Century Ride in 2006.  The achievement of completing a century ride was fantastic but contributing to the mission of finding a cure for blood cancers was the great reward.  It is that mission that will keep me coaching and participating until a cure is found.

2.  What is your style of coaching?

My number one priority as a coach is to ensure that each participant crosses the finish line safely and with a sense of achievement.  Safety is something that can not be compromised and we practice to adhere to safety throughout our training season.

3. Some people are intimidated by the idea of training for a century ride.  What advice would you give them?

Challenge yourself to accomplish something that you will remember and be proud of the rest of your life.

4.  Is there an Honored Hero that has left a lasting impact on  you?  Who and why?

I have met many inspiring Honored Heroes throughout my eight years with Team In Training.  However, Doug Campbell is the person that I think about frequently.  Doug has fought a personal battle against blood cancer for 10+ years and has defied all odds.  While we celebrate completing endurance events, Doug is winning the most challenging endurance event, the personal fight against blood cancer.  Whenever I feel challenged by training or competing I simply think about the challenges Doug has faced over the last decade and it provides me the perspective to keep moving forward and to train harder.

5. What is the best kept secret about Team In Training?

Team In Training is not just about completing an endurance event, it is a life changing experience.  The combination of physical achievement, developing life-long friendships, and contributing to the mission of finding a cure for blood cancers is something a participant will cherish forever.

6.  What is the best training advice have you ever received?

Ride for those that have lost their battle against a blood cancer, those who are currently in a battle, and those who do not yet know they will be in a battle.  These words of advice help me conquer the mental and physical challenges presented by endurance training and competing.

Join Coach George this Winter Season

Training Tip Tuesday: Charity Miles

"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."

- John F. Kennedy

 

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is proud to announce a new partnership with Charity Miles.  This program, which will run through June 6, 2013, is a quick and easy way to raise money for LLS and its mission to find a cure for blood cancers and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. 

Here's how it works:  Download the free Charily Miles app for your iPhone or Android, register yourself, select LLS, turn it on whenever you are out walking, running or biking and Charity Miles will donate money to LLS for every mile you walk, run or bike.  Walkers and runners will rack up 25 cents for every mile and bikers will earn 10 cents a mile. 

Interested?  Please read the FAQ below for additional information and think of LLS the next time you lace up your tennis shoes!

What is Charity Miles?

Charity Miles is a free iPhone and Android app that enables people to earn money for charity while walking, running or biking.

How does it work?

Just launch the app, choose a charity and either walk, run or bike. The selected charity then earns money for every mile covered. Walkers and runners earn 25¢ per mile; bikers earn 10¢ per mile, all up to an initial $1,000,000.

Can I do anything other than walk, run or bike?

Absolutely! Skipping, skating, hoping, rolling and all other human-propelled activities are perfectly acceptable. The app does not feature a setting for every activity. You should just choose whatever setting (Walk, Run or Bike) that is most applicable to what you are doing.

What about driving?

No. Driving does not count. Nor do trains, airplanes or any other type of motorized vehicle.

Can the app detect cheating?

The app can usually detect "non-human" activities and will highlight them in the official reporting records.

Will the miles I record count towards my Team In Training fundraising?The miles and money Team In Training participants rack up while training for an event will not be applied to their individual fundraising goal.

How does the app know how far I’ve gone?

Charity Miles uses your phone’s GPS to measure your distance. So, please make sure to allow the app to use your phone’s geolocation services. The app will ask for that permission when you first login. If you do not grant the permission, then the app will not work for you. If you initially declined this permission but now want to enable your geolocation services for the app, you can do so by opening your phone’s settings and then clicking the "Location Services" tab.

Will the app work indoors?

No, the app does not have the capability to track your mileage indoors.

Where does the money come from?

Charity Miles, LLC is backing the initial $1,000,000 and issuing a worldwide challenge to see if people can earn it for the charities within a year.

When does the challenge end?

The challenge will end on June 6, 2013.

What types of mobile phones is Charity Miles available on?

Charity Miles is available on iPhone and Android devices. It works on all of the most popular Android devices. However, performance may vary for some Android devices, depending on the device’s specifications. Charity Miles is not, however, available on Blackberry devices.

Why do I have to login through Facebook?

Facebook is the most reliable way for Charity Miles to authenticate your identity for your charities.　 Other than that, the organization will never share your personally identifiable information with anyone or auto-post to your Facebook account.　

Where can I download Charity Miles?

Charity Miles is available to download for free in the iPhone and Android app stores.

Mission Monday: Celebrating Team In Training's Rich History



Commemorating a 25th anniversary is a timeless tradition.　 And the North Texas Chapter of Team In Training invites you to celebrate this extraordinary milestone at the Team In Training 25th Anniversary Gala on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at the Westin Galleria.

Over the last quarter century Team In Training and its thousands of athletes have raised more than $1.3 billon, funded countless new programs and lifesaving drugs, touched the lives of thousands of families, while creating an organization of lifelong friendships. Now that is something to celebrate!

So leave your workout shoes at home, put on your finest clothes and join us for a beautiful evening that includes a delicious three-course dinner and a silent auction benefiting TNT.

Tickets are $85 per person are available now from your local Team In Training Staff.

Get a group together, buy a table of eight, and make it a memorable evening with teammates.　

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Thankful Thursday: An Inspirational Letter



The Williams family at the LLS Volunteer
Appreciation Night at the Texas Legends.

Below is an inspirational letter Kirsa Williams wrote to inspire a Team In Training team as they work to raise money and train for an upcoming event.

Dear Team,

I want to tell you about our amazing three year old little boy, Bennett. Our lives were forever changed on April 9^th of 2011. We were sitting in an exam room in the ER at Children’s Hospital waiting on blood test results, when a team of doctors entered the room and gave us the news that our 13 months old son had leukemia. From that moment on, our entire family started the fight against cancer. In support of our baby boy who was even too young to speak, we educated ourselves on blood cancer, and learned what we needed to do, and where we needed to go to give him the best chance at survival. His chemotherapy treatment would last a little longer than 3 years, with the first 9 months being the toughest. Since his diagnosis, he has endured several rounds of chemotherapy, bone marrow tests, lumbar punctures, blood transfusions, and many days and nights at the hospital. Watching Bennett receive treatment for leukemia is the hardest thing my husband and I have ever had to do. We would trade places with him in a heartbeat.

These past couple of years have taught us the meaning of community, friendship, faith, and grace. It showed us the faces of true courage and strength in the children and the families that we have met along this journey. Some who are no longer with us, some who fight on in vein, and some who are winning the battle; all of whom share the same indomitable spirit. Whether you joined TNT to run in honor of someone, in memory of someone, or because you are a survivor yourself, my family thanks you so much for taking on this challenge. It is because of people like you that my sweet boy can run and jump and play like a normal three year old should! Thank you for a being a part of finding a cure!

Blessing to you all, and good luck training for your race!

Kirsa Williams

America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride

Train for the 100-mile event in Lake Tahoe, NV., while fundraising for lifesaving cancer research

By Liz W. Robbins

Is completing a century in 2013 one of your New Year’s resolutions? Want to do so while giving back to a worthy cause? If yes, look no farther than Team In Training (TNT), an endurance fundraising program supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). TNT is currently recruiting cyclists for its summer season, which includes 18 weeks of preparation for “America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride (AMBBR),” to be held June 2 in Lake Tahoe, NV.  

Considered a favorite of alumni, the event has been on the roster since 1997 and averages 1,300 TNT cyclists per year from chapters across the nation (registration is capped at 3,000). A staggering $80,232,400 has been raised for blood cancer research over 16 years of participation.

What makes it so special?

For starters, “it’s more than a bike ride,” explains TNT alum Becky Kaye, who has completed the event 11 times both as a coach and participant. She notes that when cyclists train together while supporting the larger cause they develop a special bond. “People take care of each other and cheer you on. They genuinely want you to succeed.”

TNT alum Bruce Levy, who completed the event in 2010, agrees, adding that his experience was especially meaningful because his mother was also battling cancer at the time. “I’ll always associate Tahoe with memories of my mother and the way she encouraged me and insisted that I do the ride.”

“Someday there will be a cure for blood cancers,” adds Dana Howe, a survivor of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma who has completed the event twice. “Being part of the legacy of supporting the research and patient advocacy through training and fundraising for an event is a worthy achievement.”

When event day comes, cyclists are rewarded for their hard efforts, on and off the bike, with an amazing location.  “Breathtaking scenery is all along the course,” explains Will Wardy one of two team coaches for the summer season.  Adds Coach Albert Chavira, who has completed the event nine times: “Lake Tahoe is always at your right side, so it’s a great visible deterrent to keep you from thinking of the hills!”

Speaking of hills, Tahoe offers a challenging 800-foot climb to a rest stop overlooking scenic Emerald Bay, as well as a 1000-foot climb to Spooner Junction. Although challenging, both are very doable, even for beginners. “If participants follow the guidance of their coaches, on event day they can expect an amazing ride they’ll never forget,” says Wardy.

 TNT alum Tom Eschenbrenner, who completed the ride this year, agrees, noting that “the cycling program lived up to my expectations, building endurance, improving my cycling skills and providing the structure necessary to train for a century.” Lynn West, who completed the event in 2011 when weather conditions were cold and wet, says the training and support also helped her build mental endurance. “I was prepared physically, but my success against the conditions came through the encouragement of my coaches and my husband who supported me to the end.”

For more information contact TNT Cycle Coordinator Kelly Donovan at (972) 996-5921, Kelly.donovan@lls.org or go to: http://www.teamintraining.org/ntx/cycle.

Fundraising Tip Friday

This is our first installment of Fundraising Tip Fridays.

I started participating in Team in Training at the beginning of 2011 after waking up one morning and wanting to do something good for myself and good for other people. My friend for many years, Nate Longfellow, had done a number of events and was working for LLS in Dallas, so this was the perfect opportunity to sign up. My grandmother had also been diagnosed with multiple myeloma the year before, and I wanted to train in honor of her. 

I completed my first half marathon with TNT in June of 2011 and was hooked! I love the organization; I have met so many people and heard so many different stories about people who need our help.  It’s obvious LLS is working hard to find a cure. 

Fundraising is hard for me. I am a student and most of my friends and colleagues are in the same boat financially as I am – but thankfully TNT offers a great support system. For some people, the fundraising part is hard and for others it is as easy as asking a couple of people for money. 

I try to get creative with my fundraising. First and foremost, I ask EVERYONE I know for donations (and I do literally mean everyone). I write letters (people love getting mail and TNT will put a stamp on your first 200 letters!), I send out emails, and I spam Facebook with my fundraising website off and on for the entire season. Then, I start brainstorming what my strengths and weaknesses are and think of things that I can do that are different from the normal fundraisers like restaurant night, raffles, etc. – something different from the normal group of people that is always getting hit up for donations.

Start of America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride

For example: I am an artist and do printmaking. As a printmaker, I make multiples of the same image and do exchanges. I have hosted a “Print Exchange for a Cure” for the last two years. I invite people from all over the world to send me 12 prints and it costs them $20 to participate. In return, they get 10 prints back from other artists from around the world, their print featured in an exhibition in a gallery, and one of their prints kept in the permanent collection of the University of Dallas. Not only do they get different prints back, they also get lines to put on their resume! That accounts for 11 prints from the edition of 12 (10 to the participants and one to the University of Dallas). The remaining print gets auctioned off on eBay for an additional donation to my fundraising! It’s a lot of work at times but it also raises a good amount of money.  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!

Cycle Coach William Wardy, Sarah Francis, & Cycle Coach Becky Kaye

I love being a part of Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It is one of the best groups of people I have ever met, and I feel as though everyone genuinely cares about my well being and about who I am as a person. I don’t think you often find that these days. I will continue to participate in TNT and continue to raise money to find a cure. It is a part of me now, and I am so thankful. 

Sarah Francis is a two time TNT alum and is currently training for the El Tour de Tucson Century Bike Ride which will take place in November 2012.