Meet the Coach: Connie Martin

Connie still smiling at mile 26 of the
Portland Marathon.

Meet Connie Martin, the newest Team In Training coach in North Texas.  During the upcoming season, she and Tim Harlow will be coaching the Dallas Marathon team together.  While it took some convincing to take on this new role, Connie is fired up and ready to help participants meet their goals.  Read below to find out why Connie understands the challenges of fundraising and how she can help participants overcome their fears.

What brought you to Team In Training?  
I had been living out of the country for a number of years and had just moved to Texas, knowing no one in the area other than my sister and brother-in-law, Honored Hero David Nesbit.  David knew I was athletic, a runner, and felt I needed to meet some like minded FUN people and told me with no doubt, I had to be a part of Team In Training.  We both signed up for the next season and ran our first half marathon together, Dallas Rock and Roll in April 2012

Why did you want to become a Team In Training coach?  

In all honesty, I think I was set up!  While mentoring the fall season 2015, Coach Tim Harlow was scouting me.  He and Coach Karen Rankin were actively dropping hints of me coaching, that I was politely ignoring. Mostly because I felt there were so many great coaches out there and the shoes would be big ones to fill. Tim approached me one day, asking my interest to coach. When he sensed my apprehension he presented me with an idea of co-coaching with him.  I thought I had conjured up a great response, for us to speak with our family members assuring their support, as this would have Tim and I working on back-to-back-to-back seasons.  I thought for sure this would have bought me some time!  By the end of that day Tim had contacted me, informing he was getting full support from his end.  Long story short, I have come to embrace the idea of coaching.  The components of being a part of a team and sports have always been something I excel and thrive in.  I am thrilled with the opportunity I have been given to motivate people, help them to their goals, fundraise for a cause that is dear to my family and for the most part having a great time while doing so.  I AM ALL IN!

     What should people know about your coaching style?

I will push you as far as you want to go (of course avoiding any injuries or health issues.)  If you tell me you want to complete a 5K or a full marathon, then we are going to get you across that finish line!  If your goal changes, you better tell me and don’t become upset if I question your reasons for changing it.  I am a gentle however, VERY enthusiastic motivator. 

     What advice would you give to somebody who is intimidated by fundraising?

I would tell them I GET IT! (I would rather train double, if someone would fundraise for me.)  I would tell them to tap into their creativity and have as much fun as possible with it.  I would strongly encourage them to do their staff one-on-one to set a game plan their fundraising goals, as well as put them in contact with one of the many people who have been so successful in their fundraising endeavors.  Lastly, I would tell them just like we train as a team, fundraise as a team.  Get your running buddy, best friend, sister, whomever on board to do it with you.  Your confidence will be much greater and your experiences much more rewarding. 

     What advice would you give to somebody who is concerned about training for an endurance race?

I would tell them YOU GOT THIS! People ask me all the time, how can you run a marathon? I tell them it's pure determination.  If you really are determined and follow our training schedule, it’s a done deal. It really is as simple as that.  All we have to do, is put in the work to get you there. 

Best training/race tip you have ever received.

There are two that are prominent in my race day regime.  First is NOTHING new.  Whatever you ate in training, you eat on race day. Whatever you wore in training, you wear on race day.  (I think you get the idea!)  The second is to put out everything the night before.  Have all your gear ready, race bib pinned on, music, and timing devices charged. You will be anxious enough on race morning, so take all that “stuff” to stress about, off your mind.  Do all of this, so all you have to do is wake up, put on your things, show up to the start line.  Race day is your payoff for all your hard work so enjoy the heck out of it.  

Meet Connie and get signed up for the Summer Team In Training season at the Kick Off on February 6th at 1:00 p.m. at Whole Foods at 8190 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75231.  If you can't make it but would still like to learn more about the program, visit www.teamintraining.org/ntx

Meet the Coach: Claire Oliver

Claire Oliver is the coach for the North West Cities marathon team this Winter Season.  Read about Claire and how she plans to help you reach your goal with Team In Training

1.   How long have you been coaching with TNT and what was your first event? 
I've been with TNT since 2003 and have been coaching for 11 years. My first event was Capital of Texas Triathlon in Austin in May 2003.

2.   What is your style of coaching? 
I love coaching all sorts of athletes, I want training and racing to be fun. I also want to see people do their best and accomplish their personal goals. Most importantly I want everyone to keep the mission in mind.

3.  Some people are intimidated by the idea of training for a full or half marathon.  What advice would you give them? 
Just do it! When I first started with TNT I was a swimmer and couldn't even run around the block. I joined TNT and have since run around the block a bunch of times, and I love it. I know that if I could make that big of a change in my life, then you can do it too!

4.       Is there an Honored Hero that has left a lasting impact on  you?  Who and why? 
My step dad is my own personal honored hero, he is the reason I got involved with LLS and then TNT. He was diagnosed and died in 17 days in 2000. Since joining TNT I have met many other people who are winning the battle against blood cancer. Joyce Williams is a special honored hero to me. She is on the Northwest cities team and just started a clinical trial for her treatment. She comes to training every week has a beautiful smile on her face and really brings me back to why I am out there training and raising money- to fund these clinical trials that will save her life.

5.       What is the best kept secret about Team In Training? 
You don't just get to train and do a race, you meet some of your best friends through this organization! Team in Training attracts some of the most wonderful people you could ever want to meet.

6.       What is the best training advice have you ever received? 
Put your shoes on and get out the door. That is usually the hardest part, when you are running or walking you'll have a blast. 

Join Claire by registering for the Winter Season today!

Moms In Training: Meet the Coach!

To say that Tara Thornberry is a busy woman would be an understatement.  She juggles a full time job, a busy family life that includes twin daughters, and dedicates her Saturday mornings to Moms In Training.  Below she talks about why she believes in this program, new to the North Texas Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, is worth other busy moms time as well.

"I started my journey with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training (TNT) in the Fall of 2006 when I decided to spruce up my workout routine with an attempt at triathlon.  After 6 months of training with TNT, I completed my first quarter iron triathlon with a smile on my face and immense gratitude in my heart.    After having such a memorable experience and meeting so many wonderful people I decided to continue on with TNT as a fundraising participant, a mentor, captain, assistant coach and eventually coach.

After a brief hiatus from TNT, to have twin girls in 2010, I needed my team again when I had a friend from high school lose her battle with cancer in November of 2011. One year later at the Nike Women's half marathon TNT provided the outlet I needed to celebrate my friends life and contribute to helping find a cure. I’ll admit though, as a new mom, it was hard balancing training for an endurance event and maintaining familial and work balance.

In the summer of 2013 TNT started recruiting help to get their newest aspiration, a Moms in Training 10k program, ready for launch.  I was beyond excited to get involved.  The prospect of being able to help other women be able to justify time away from their kiddos to stay healthy and help cure blood cancers sounded like a match made in heaven.  Participants could get all the benefits of training with a team, but it would be much easier to maintain a healthy balance with the rest of life.  

This past March our dreams of having a team like that came to fruition when I had the privilege of helping coach 8 ladies across the finish line for the relay portion of the Rock and Roll Half Marathon. It was amazing to watch with their friends and family as they crossed the finish line."

Moms In Training is currently forming a team now with the season kicking off this Saturday.  Join Tara as she trains with another group of incredible moms.  REGISTER TODAY!

$100,000 and Still Going Strong

Claire Oliver has been involved with Team in Training since 2003. She was connected with the Society after the passing of her stepfather, Tom Hillary in 2000. 

Claire has worked with LLS as a TNT coach and fundraising participant every year since. Claire has completed 17 fundraising events with the North Texas Chapter, and is currently raising money for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe. This event will complete her 4th Triple Crown Award. She has raised over $100,000 for LLS in the last 10 years!  

Although Claire only had one connection to the Society and the disease, she has seen the impact of the work of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the difference it makes in the lives of people and families facing blood cancers. Every time Claire thinks she might be competing in her last Team in Training event a new story, patient or family becomes apparent and the fact that there is no cure encourages her to compete one more time.

Claire is relentless for a cure. The difference that is made in the lives of patients and their families pales in comparison to the difference Team in Training has made in her own life. 

Mission Monday: Why I Train

Not everyone who joins Team In Training (TNT) or raises money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has a direct connection to blood cancers.　 Many may not have a direct connection to any cancer and join for the health benefits and good cause. Funds raised for LLS research have gone on to help with treatments and progress towards cures for a countless number of other diseases from breast cancer to Alzheimer's.

Alumnus and Team Captain Kathleen Robinson shares these thoughts on being part of Team In Training:

What TNT means to me? Focused Purpose.　　

I am　here to help find a cure for blood-related cancers and give my time and resources to help others.　I really got involved with TNT partly for selfish reasons and partly to give back.　 My niece, Sarah, was 7 years old when she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer in the muscles. 　When her parents took her to the doctor, they were told she simply had a cyst just beneath the skin, and that they would remove and she would be good to go. However, when doctors cut the skin, they found something very different.　　It was a year of not knowing if Sarah would make it or not.　When she felt well enough, she participated in several fund raising events with Wipe Out Kids Cancer and Make A Wish Foundation. 　

I looked into getting involved, but those organizations just were not a good fit for me.　 So, one morning while at　a boot camp, our instructor made the comment about a group called Team In Training that was training to hike the Grand Canyon.　 It peaked my interest, so I went home and looked up the group online.　 I signed up that day! 　I am in marketing and felt that, if every person I knew would give $5, I would easily exceed my fund raising goal and be helping the cause, plus get to do something that I would never do on my own.　　Fundraising did not happen quite the way I thought it would, but　I did reach my goal. 　Thankfully, my niece just celebrated her 22nd birthday and was told she is at no greater risk than anyone else to have cancer.　 What a blessing!　 I want the same for every other family.　 I cannot imagine having to bury one of my nieces or nephews let alone a child of my own. This is what keeps me coming back a couple seasons each　year to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through TNT.　　There　are a　two things that motivate me to continue fundraising and training with TNT -- the hope of a cure and a great exercise program for myself.　 Yes, TNT gives me "focused purpose."