Laura Booke will be running her second ING New York City Marathon this Sunday at the age of 72, this time as a member of Team In Training (www.teamintraining.org). "There wasn't supposed to be a second," she says..."But then, my great niece, Louise Elizabeth Daggett, three years old, adorable, smart and lovable, was diagnosed with leukemia...Whatever could I possibly do to help her? Answer: I can run; I can run with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training program and raise money for the research that now gives Louise the possibility of a long healthy life."
Louise's family has received help from LLS through financial aid, counseling, information and support groups. "Louise is running the race for her life. I am running the race on the streets of New York. Together we will be winners. At the finish I will give Louise my medal. The victory is hers."
Tommy Owens comments on "Are Humans Meant to Run Long Distances"
Owens weighs in on the the importance of marathon training with his response to Tara Parker-Pope's post, with
"As a running coach for 20 years, I concur that training gradually over a long period of time is the surest and safest way to get to the start and finish line injury free, while feeling excited and fresh. At Team in Training (www.teamintraining.org) we [understand] the importance of training for at least four to five months, and we usually recommend a combination of run/ walk to help our people build their strength, stamina, and endurance, and mitigate the risk of injury. Proper pacing is a significant key to healthy enjoyable training. Our clinics on proper gear,nutrition and hydration, and running form also helps a great deal. Having a training program with easy days, recovery days, along with a gradual increase in mileage, certainly adds to the health, safety, and enjoyment for all our people."
Runner's World is proud of our long-standing relationship with Team In Training. Recognized as the worldwide authority on running information, Runner's World aims to help runners achieve their personal health, fitness, and performance goals, and to inspire them with vivid, memorable storytelling. Published by Rodale, Runner's World is available in 14 editions world-wide and online at www.runnersworld.com
Nike
Thanks to our partnership with the Nike Women's Marathon, held annually in San Francisco, Team in Training has raised over $78 million in the battle against blood cancers. Just Do It? Nike lives their famous tagline and for that, we're grateful.
PowerBar
National Supporting Sponsor and Official Energy Bar and Gel of Team In Training, PowerBar, has been actively engaged with Team In Teaming through much of the last decade, providing participants with the nutritional products and tools to achieve their Team In Training goals. Become part of the PowerBar community at www.powerbar.com
Schwinn
A cycling icon for the last 100 years, we're honored by Schwinn's sponsorship of Team In Training. Visit www.schwinnbikes.com to where you can become a part the Schwinn community.
Nissan
Get ready for your big race with valuable training tips and videos from Nissan Master and record-setting marathoner Ryan Hall. Watch his videos and enter to win a Nissan Altima at www.mastertheshift.com.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society applauds our Team In Training Sponsors, recognizing the impact they have had on our ability to help blood cancer patients live longer, better lives. Thanks to you, we're that much closer to cures!
Pictured here is Marcella Marcheschi (L) with her sister, Gabriella (R). Both sisters and their mother participated in the Nike Women's Marathon Sunday.
“I don’t think words can explain what it feels like to be told you have cancer,” says Marcella Marcheschi, 28, of San Francisco, of learning of her diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma in January of 2008. “All of a sudden I wasn’t a young healthy 20-something any more. I had something in my body killing me.”
On Sunday she wore one word on her shirt: “Survivor,” eliciting cheers from onlookers as she crossed the finish line at the Nike Women’s Marathon and Half Marathon. Marcheschi was among 4,000 members of Team In Training (www.teamintraining.org) who raised more than $14 million to support blood cancer research and patient services at this year’s marathon.
The charming and successful New York City Team In Training Coach, Ramon Bermo, was kind enough to let us in on what it's like to have trained more than 5,000 Team In Training participants. At the end, there'a video snippet of Coach Ramon in action!
Coach Ramon, you're a popular and successful Team In Training coach. What's your secret?
I believe my secret is the passion I have for the program and the sport...but if you ask people, they will say my secret is my energy! I believe in the mission and the people. Whatever I can do to help those who give their time and efforts for this worthy cause, I will. It's the people who participate in this program that make me want to get up early - be a little crazy - and share my knowledge as a coach and athlete.
I believe I'm successful because people know I care for their success.
How did you get involved with Team In Training? About 12/13 years ago I would run a mountain or join a race and fundraise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Then 8 1/2 years ago I was contacted to become a Team In Training Coach. On my first day I remember a young girl, 21, Joanne -- she came up to me and told me that she would be running with me, but wanted me to know that she had been in remission for a year...That's when it really kicked me -- Team In Training is not just about coaching, it's about much more.
Do you have any idea how many people you may have trained through Team In Training? Give us an estimate.
A few thousand, for sure...5,000 plus.
Coach Ramon, that's impressive! Thank you for helping so many people get across the finish line safely. It is my pleasure.
I understand that you've coined a number of phrases that you use to keep Team In Training participants inspired. What are they?
I have a lot of phrases that are unique, but I say 'behave' a lot to get people to train correctly. Throughout the season I tell people to 'behave'...to run regularly, to pace themselves, to eat right, then after - I tell them they can ''misbehave'! You know, everybody likes to misbehave!
Do you know any of the National Advisory Coaches?
I know Tom Dooley very well. (Tom Dooley is the National Advisory Walk Coach for Team In Training and a two-time Olympian). We get along very well... the passion that he has for Team In Training has inspired me. He is someone who truly cares.
Coach Ramon, you've also been a coach for other training programs. How does Team In Training compare? With Team In Training, the coaching is second to none...I don't see any other organization being able to top it.
What do you tell people who express interest in Team In Training? As a coach, I tell them that if they can give me the time, I will make sure they will cross the finish line - and that they should come to a training session and they'll see people just like themselves.
If you are hoping to participate in the near sold-out WALT DISNEY WORLD® Marathon Weekend, register with Team In Training (TNT). We have guaranteed spots for this world-class event, and we're offering them to valued members of the TNT family on a first-come, first-served basis!
The memorable weekend takes place from Thursday, January 7 to Sunday, January 10, 2010. The Walt Disney World® Marathon and Half-Marathon are the most magical miles on Earth! You'll tour through the Magic Kingdom, passing by Cinderella's castle, pass by the giant Epcot globe, experience the best of nature through Disney's Animal Kingdom, and watch the streets transform before you in Disney's Hollywood Studios.
In addition to these main events, the weekend offers some incredible opportunities to get the whole family involved in fitness and fun. Plus, you'll be a member of the exclusive Team In Training program. Through Team In Training you'll get:
Certified coaches provide exceptional training and teammates bring the fun, friendship and encouragement.
Fundraising support. Your own Web page plus fundraising help from our staff and alumni mentors.
Travel, lodging and entry fees are all part of the package. Plus, live bands at every mile, a post race concert and all in a setting unlike any other, New Orleans!
Maybe the greatest benefit of all is knowing that you'll be raising funds to help cure blood cancers.
