Team In Training - Running into love

millss — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 21:26:21 GMT

Valentine’s Day is one of our favorite times of year, and not just because it gives us an excuse to eat more chocolate (although I’ll admit it’s a good reason to love the day). It’s a reminder that we have helped bring couples together through some of our Team In Training (TNT) events.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's TNT program, in case you don’t know, is the world’s largest endurance sports training program. Their incredible coaches train people for marathons, half marathons, triathlons, and century 100-mile bike rides. And while they train, participants raise funds to help find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma research and provide information and support to patients and their families.

While the goal has been to help LLS, participants have also found lifelong friends and love.

Melissa Kushnick and T. J. Caplinger met at a TNT practice for the 2006 Nike Women’s Marathon, a Race to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. For T. J. it was love at first sight, “As soon as I left practice I called my friend and said, I know this sounds crazy but I just met the girl I’m going to marry.”

They began dating, and decided that they would participate in the following year’s event. At the 2007 Nike Women’s Marathon, T. J. asked Melissa to marry him and she said yes. They plan to marry in a few weeks on March 7, 2008. Congratulations T. J. and Melissa!


The signs asking Melissa to marry T. J.	Putting on the ring!	T. J. & Melissa by the shore

Take a moment to read some other TNT love stories – these couples are celebrating the day they met, fell in love, and helped LLS. Today is probably one of their favorite days as well.

Want to find a valentine? Find or celebrate love with us at one of our TNT events:

Team In Training is currently recruiting for their Summer season. Events include: Rock 'n' Roll Marathon® , San Diego, CA - June, 1 2008; America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride, Lake Tahoe, NV - June 1, 2008; Mayor's Marathon and Half Marathon, Anchorage, AK - June 1, 2008. For more information please call (800) 482-TEAM or visit www.teamintraining.org.

Watch one of our 2008 Team In Training videos.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Blog

Team In Training - Running into love