Team in Training: Train Together to Beat Cancer
Whether you are a beginner runner looking to achieve a 5KM or a veteran looking to qualify for Boston; the BMO Vancouver Marathon is surely an event not to miss. You will have the chance to experience Canada’s most scenic urban marathon while passing by Vancouver’s panoramic inner city, beach fronts, and lush natural parks. 
The surrounding local community will cheer you on at every step of the course, but you will also find a unique kind of community on the way. Team In Training (TNT) is that unique community. If you have participated or attended the BMO Vancouver Marathon before you most likely have seen these purple t-shirt wearing participants on the course. You may have received a warm smile or helping hand from them as these are the kind of people they are.
Since 2005 TNT in Canada has raised over $28 million dollars; each year over 800 Canadian participants challenge themselves to train and beat cancer. As the flagship campaign for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada TNT helps Canadians boost their current fitness levels while making a difference in their local community.
Sean Martin is part of this unique community and has a special tie to this cause. Sean recalls this troubling time, “I joined Team in Training in October of 2012. I wanted to help support the effort to raise funds and awareness for blood cancers and the need to find a cure. I was motivated by the fact that my youngest daughter, Shaelyn, was a Leukemia survivor (at 3 years old). She was first diagnosed with Leukemia when she was just 2 months old. She underwent a yearlong treatment program, and was in remission for a year before having a relapse. During her second treatment process she had a bone marrow transplant which went extremely well. She was 3 years old when she finished her treatment and she’s been healthy and happy ever since, she turned seven years old this past September”
Sean also recounts his first experience with Team In Training – “While Shaelyn was in the hospital I read a pamphlet about Team in Training and thought that it was definitely something I would like to do in the future when time permitted. In October 2012, once our family was settled at home and Shaelyn was out of treatment, I joined the Team with a good friend from work. Together we raise over 16K for blood cancer research. We both ran the BMO Marathon, which was the first marathon I ever ran. I stuck to the training schedule that was laid out in the program and I met a lot of friends along the way. I set a personal goal for myself to try and finish below 4 hours… after seven months of training and a lot of commitment I completed the marathon in 3 hours and 46 minutes. I really enjoyed the BMO Marathon and thought it was incredibly well organized. There were lots of volunteers, support staff, as well as lots of fun entertainment and music all around the course. All these elements combined made for a great energetic atmosphere.”
“My experience with Team in Training has been great. They have very knowledgeable and experienced coaches that ensure the members are progressing at a gradual pace. They also bring in many advisors to educate the Team members on topics like proper running equipment, the importance of a nutritional diet, and how to optimize your diet for peak performance. They also teach you how to properly care for your body to reduce the chance of injury and to ensure you can reach your full potential. Some people were planning to walk/jog and others were planning to run the fastest time they could. Whichever pace people want to go is Ok with the Coaches and they’ll support everyone equally.”
If you are thinking of accomplishing the BMO Marathon, whether a 5K, Relay, half marathon, or full marathon, do consider training with Team In Training. Not only will you be funding life saving research, you will get support to achieve your own fitness goals and make some long lasting friendships along the way.
Put some excitement and challenge in your winter and enjoy the outdoors with old and new friends to participate in an incredible experience!
Take the first step and join TNT Today!
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Team in Training: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Save Lives Today
Today is the day you’ll start helping save the lives of blood cancer patients by joining Team In Training and raising money for blood cancer research. Since its beginning in 1988, more than 600,000 participants have helped TNT and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society raise more than $1.4 billion for therapies that are saving lives. Our mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services. In partnership with athletes just like you, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society helps blood cancer patients live better, longer lives.
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