My First Triathlon by Vicktoria White

Team In Training's Georgia Chapter is thrilled to be taking a team to the HITS Triathlon Series in Naples, FL this coming January! After all, the race came highly recommended by our amazing IronTeam that used the Olympic distance race in Naples as a trial race while training for an Ironman. IronTeam did this race, you say? That sounds intimidating. Well, hear what one of the tri newbies on the team had to say about their experience training for Naples:

One of the hardest and scariest things to do in life is to do something you've never done before.  On the flip side, it can also prove to be the most rewarding.  As an example, who in their right mind would sign up for an Ironman, or ANY triathlon for that matter, who didn't know how to swim? Or even run?! Well, I DID!  And as it turns out, it was one of the best decisions of my life and one that I am very proud to say that I did with Team In Training.

Team In Training has changed my life in many wonderful ways as well as the lives of so many others through the millions of dollars we have been able to raise for cancer research.  It is because of my experience with the TNT cycle program that I gained the confidence to sign up for triathlons not knowing how to swim.  I knew that the coaches would be amazing and they would teach me the skills I needed to succeed.

Race morning of my first triathlon!

My very first triathlon was the HITS Triathlon Series Olympic distance.  I was really nervous going into it because I had never done it before, but the TNT coaches and mentors were there with us every step of the way.  They swam, biked and ran with us, making sure each participant made it to the finish. What an AMAZING feeling to cross the finish line at my first triathlon!

My team and I after finishing the HITS Naples Olympic distance tri.

I couldn't be more excited to go back to compete in the this HITS race in Naples again with TNT and to now be mentoring! As a newbie triathlete I know it's doable, and based on my more experienced teammates from last year that loved the race I know it's a good one for seasoned triathletes as well.

Wait, you still haven't sign up yet?  Here are some facts/highlights that will maybe change your mind and, hopefully, convince you to join us!

• I honestly COULD NOT swim.  In fact, when I did finally make it to the end of the 25 yard pool (after stopping to hold onto the side), I thought I was going to have a heart attack. The coaches never skipped a beat though! They were always positive, encouraging, and reassuring me that I could do it.
• I had only been swimming for 4.5 months before my first triathlon in Naples.
• I had a GREAT swim in Naples! Now, I wasn't speedy Gonzales, but I did good!
• Who doesn't want to go to beautiful Naples in January when it is so cold here in Atlanta?!
• Not only do you get to challenge yourself but you get to raise money for an organization that is saving lives.  That should be reason enough.  

I hope you'll join us! You can do that here. GO TEAM!

Heartbreak Ends in Hope by Karen Cole

He falls out of skies.
He falls in love.
He falls snowboarding.
He lands a devastating diagnosis.

Valentine’s Day for many of us meant time spent with our one true love. For Signal Army Warrant Officer Phillip Dieppa four years ago, it was a true nightmare. What started out as a romantic getaway with his wife at a ski resort in West Virginia ended up changing Phillip’s life forever. A snowboarding accident on the eve of Valentine’s Day later resulted in a football-sized spleen on the verge of rupturing, a condition that would have ended his life in minutes. But tests after the accident also revealed even scarier news: Phillip had cancer. 

Phillip was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and given a prognosis of just a few short years to live. Trained at hurling himself out of airplanes, this Iraq veteran had already endured more than most young people, but nothing prepared him for the battle of his life. Through it all, his wife Natasha served as his protective armor, but she also absorbed staggering heartbreak. Life with Phillip, who was just shy of 22 years old, might only last 3 to 5 more years.

Thankfully almost four years later, after countless bone marrow biopsies and grueling treatments, Valentine’s Day no longer marks the worst time of Phillip’s life. This February it reminds him of a battle fought hard and won, and finally being cancer free. Phillip and Natasha now have a brand new love – life.

Never backing down on a challenge, last summer Phillip joined Team In Training in Augusta. In November, he successfully ran the Savannah Rock 'n' Roll half marathon and raised more than $2,000 for the fight against blood cancers. Not only did he proudly complete his first race, he finished 160th out of 9,000 participants and was the first among TNT runners to cross the finish line!





Phillip with his wife after crossing the finish line in Savannah.

Now, Phillip is a Team In Training Honored Hero for the Augusta market where he serves as inspiration for others training and raising funds for LLS. He said, “I want to prove that cancer is only a temporary obstacle. Being a survivor is like being a marathoner, which is why the Team In Training program means so much to me.”

Phillip’s tenacious spirit is contagious; he gives us all great perspective in the face of any challenge, no matter how large or small:

“There are many unsolved variables in the equation that leads to finishing the half or full marathon. Are you running too fast? Will you hit your goal? Will you walk? Will you quit? Keep in mind there’s only one pace: forward. There is only one goal: the end. As long as you’re moving forward, you’re not quitting. That’s the mentality of a fighter, a soldier and a survivor.”

TNT alumni and survivor, Phillip Dieppa, completed his first event with TNT this past fall in Savannah, GA at the inaugural Savannah Rock 'n' Roll half marathon. Phillip is currently the team's Honored Hero for the Augusta market.

Story written by Karen Cole
Karen is a Public Relations Manager for UPS and has worked there for almost nine years. She completed the ING half marathon (2009) and the Nike Women's marathon (2010) as a TNT participant and served as a mentor in the fall of 2010 while training for and completing the Zooma half marathon. Karen has raised over $5,000 for TNT and now serves on our PR Committee.

An Alumni Challenge by Lori Rasmussen

I've heard a few alumni saying, "If it weren't for the fundraising, I'd train for Team In Training events year 'round." I've had the same thoughts. My experiences with TNT have been so personally rewarding that sometimes it's easy to lose sight of the mission-to raise money and find a cure for blood cancers. Thanks to TNT, I am in the best shape of my life! I have a huge circle of new friends, and I never lack for something fun to do. This adventure started as a way for me to get in shape. Oh, and also to raise a little money to do some good. Yes, my goals really were that vague (and self-serving). After my first event, I thought, "No more fundraising for me. I will just keep running on my own." Then, about a year later, there was a great alumni deal for the San Antonio Rock and Roll Half-Marathon. I signed up and had another great event weekend. After that, I thought, "OK, once a year is reasonable for fundraising."

As I continued to train and raise money, I met some amazing people who have had blood cancer crash their lives; a friend's infant niece, a mother whose teenaged son battled this illness, a neighbor who had it in college, and a young woman who is a survivor and runs with the team today. Then, I started remembering folks I knew in my past; my godparent's daughter, my elementary school classmate, and my middle-school English teacher. So, I signed up for the Nike Women's Half-Marathon. During that race, I ran up Inspiration Hill and saw sign after sign of survivors, honored heroes, and folks who didn't make it. Something clicked.

This isn't about fitness for me anymore! It's profoundly personal. These people I am "helping" aren't out there "somewhere." These are people I know-people I love-they are family. And you do whatever it takes to help family.

So, what does this mean for those of us who aren't independently wealthy, or linked into a huge corporate donating machine? It means hard work. It means yet another uncomfortable quest to hit up friends and family for money. It means getting creative-thinking of new projects and ways to earn money. It may also mean finding other ways to help-donating blood or platelets, signing up for the bone marrow registry, or volunteering to speak at recruitment events. For me it means staying involved.

I am thankful to TNT for giving us a vehicle to raise money where it does so much good. And raising money IS the main deal. I believe I am joining hands with all of the rest of the TNT Alumni and we are making a difference. I hope you'll do the same.

Lori Rasmussen has been an enthusiastic TNT participant since 2007. She has participated in three half-marathons and is currently planning to attempt her first full marathon with TNT at the Country Music Marathon TEAM.

Team In Training Georgia Chapter is now recruiting for the Summer 2010 Season. Contact the TNT staff for details, (404) 720-7842.