How Bout Those New Shoes

Over the past week we've met several more team members as well as heard from some of our holiday travelers.

Now it's my turn as I'm off to Boston this evening for a few days to celebrate passing into the New Year (woooooo party). My ratty old running shoes are long gone and my new pair is taking up valuable carry on luggage space.



I'm hoping to get two training sessions in since I'll be missing our group run this coming Saturday although I'm thinking it may be a bit ambitious.

Last weekend a number of us got brand spankin new kicks but I've been hearing mixed reviews thus far. I took mine for a longer run over about 6 miles as a trial and while about halfway my feet were feeling a bit foreign, by the end things were pretty comfy.

Others haven't been so lucky. Both Brandon and Ashwin have come up against tight leg muscles and shin splints they weren't experiencing with their older shoes. We have varying theories on what might be the cause but I imagine a few more miles to break them in is all that's needed.

So aside from the obvious trial of running a marathon and the purging of aging running equipment, there a few smaller running related goals I have for the coming year.

One will actually be finishing well in my first competition of the year, as I'm joining my roommates in the half-marathon portion of the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach this March. To make a strong time, I'm learning better pace myself during training. Also, as I'm writing this in Reagan airport staring at a McDonald's, I'm hoping that training for the marathon will help me eat better (Taco Bell excepted).

So, any goals for the New Year? Tips on breaking in new shoes? Eating tips? Feel free to share them below.

I'll try to update with some photos from running in Boston - in the meantime check out some of the photos from last weekend on our Flickr page - and I hope that everyone has a happy New Year!

A Brief Introduction - Jessie

Five things about Jessie Walsh:

On joining Team in Training: I've always wanted to run a marathon, and running with TNT to support LLS seemed like a great excuse to do so. It's pretty nice to be able to accomplish one of my goals while raising money for a great cause.

On training habits: I train all times of the day, but long runs (with and without the team) are definitely going to be in the morning. Have to get used to waking up early and running! I'm going to try to run without listening to music when I train because we can't have headphones on during the marathon, but ordinarily I have my Ipod playing quite a weird mix of artists (Ben Folds, Girl Talk, Gavin Degraw, Gnarls Barkley, Hellogoodbye, John Mayer, Rihanna, Talib Kweli, and Gomez to name a few). My only requirement is that it's got to be fast... slow songs are a major downer.

On running experience: I've run two half marathons but didn't really train that much for them. I'd like to think that I'm fit, but running this marathon is definitely going to be a challenge. I don't like losing and I don't like quitting.

On goals: Run as much of it as possible and not destroy my knees in the process. An 8 min/mile pace would be nice, so I guess that would put me at about 3.5 hours? Not sure what the chances of that are, so i'll say under 4 hours.

On challenges: Fundraising, but if you mean the physical act of training, then I'd say not having my knee quit working. It doesn't seem to like me, but I'd say it has good reason.

Jessie will also need to work on practicing safe driving habits and learning that snowmen are typically composed of 3 distinct body parts.

Jessie Checks In

I personally disapprove of the video while driving. However, here's Jessie checking in from her Saturday run while the rest of us were out in Georgetown:




*You may have noticed that clicking on the video takes you to its posting on YouTube. This is our new YouTube channel! In the future, you can follow us, watch this video, and many more to come by following the YouTube link over on the sidebar.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and New Shoes

First of all, happy holidays to all - hope everyone has spent at least one relaxing day with family or friends. We have embarked on a tough stretch for our team, a lot of people have left the DC area to visit family and take a vacation, thus truly putting the onus on us (is that even possible to say, "onus on us") to make our runs and be responsible. Many of us were really excited to put on our new shoes and find out if our investments would pan out in our favor...

It's probably too early to tell, but I followed up my best run of the season (from Saturday) with a very disappointing run. Shin splints ruined mile 2 to a walking pace, though I somehow finished the last mile running pretty well, I was not happy with my effort despite the ability to brave the New England weather for a nice run. My knees are bothering me, I've probably eaten too many of mom's cookies in the past two days, but I'm hoping that the next run will work out better. All in all, I hope the rest of my team has fared better, been responsible and are enjoying their vacations.

A Brief Introduction - Crystal

Five things about Crystal Hahn:

On joining Team in Training: Conquering a marathon has always been a goal of mine but I never expected to do it so soon. Also, I've personally known victims of blood cancers and if I can help contribute to stopping this disease from hurting more people, how could i say no?

On training habits: Evenings or nights for me. I hate working out in the morning. When I'm at the gym, I like to watch BET (106th and Park - no joke). When working out I prefer techno or hip hop. It pumps me up.

On running experience: I've always been a gym rat but never a runner. I've been seeing a knee specialist since high school, which will be one of my biggest battles but I think I'm extremely healthy mentally. Brian and Lena like to call me a machine.

On goals: My biggest goal is to just finish the marathon. I think people forget how big of an accomplishment finishing is in itself, but if I had to put a goal down, I would say under 5 hours or under Oprah's time (4:29:20).

On stuffed animals: I've had a pink Carebear (Cheer Bear) since birth that is currently still on my bed. I was a little bit of a slow talker and called it ddaattu.

Crystal's biggest challenges will be leaving ddaattu behind and not getting distracted by pretty flowers along the way.

Saturday Round 2 - Georgetown

On a chilly but comfortable D.C. December morning, 6 out of 7 survived our second Saturday session with Team in Training, a four mile jaunt up the C&O Canal in Georgetown. Our seventh runner Jessie was out of town but likely ran faster and farther than the rest of us on her own.

The group, which all arrived in punctual manner after some late arrivals last week, started at the foot of M Street and headed West past the entrance to Georgetown University before doubling pack along the dirt path and finishing up at the Georgetown Running Company for a breakfast of bagels and hot chocolate.

As a group we were all extremely pleased with our efforts. Brandon and I led the group out with two others while the rest of the pack followed closely behind and finished with some gas left in the tank. One guy had running goggles on which I'm convinced give you super powers.

The highlight of the morning may have been our visit to the running store where most of us picked up some fresh kicks on discount. Dealing with some smelly bodies and feet the knowledgeable and patient staff watched us take strides to help us choose the perfect pair. My poor shoes were in particularly bad shape and have been abandoned (RIP) for the next generation of Nike.



According to our training schedule, we've all now completed a total of 17 miles over two weeks not counting any bonus work anyone might have done. Looking forward it seems like a meager distance, but the hard work has only just begun and the support and confidence of those around us has gotten us off to a strong start.

Some more things learned:

Use the potty before you leave the house. An early morning four miles in Georgetown on a muddy trail doesn't provide many options.

The city is a much different place in the early hours of a Saturday and is going to be a joy exploring over the coming months. An empty M Street is an oddly pleasing sight when it's typically jammed with cabs, shoppers and party goers in the evening.

Friday nights are going to be much more subdued as we move along. If this past one was any indication (minus two nameless individuals), they're going to involve a lot of chick flicks and Mario Kart:



Yea, Love Actually. Ashwin's fave.

For now, most of us are headed our separate ways for the holidays but will hopefully stay on course and reunite for our next Saturday session on January 3 ready for the step up into even more challenging distances.

Keep checking in, we'll have some outstanding video clips and more bio pages up shortly.

A Brief Introduction - Brandon

Five things about Brandon Lee:

- On joining Team in Training: I joined TNT after my friends from high school couldn't stop talking about the program. In the back of my mind I've always wanted to run a marathon but never thought I'd convince myself to train on my own. TNT was the perfect solution for motivation and taking part in a good cause.

- On training habits: I train after work during the week, and on the weekends with TNT. I'll throw on the ipod if I'm on the treadmill but if I'm outside I usually won't listen to music. With the ipod, I usually bump some rap (biggie, bone thungs, tupac) or other random stuff (beach boys, green day, 80s party hits, etc).

- On running experience: I used to run indoor track in high school and my main event was the 600M (best time = 1:24.4). Any time I had good race in an event over 400M, I would throw up after the race (not on purpose). After one, I threw up lots of little red chunks and my coach was wondering what the hell it was. It was Twizzlers that I had eaten before the race. He looked at me like I was an idiot.

- On goals: I'd like to finish in under 4 hours, but it may be tough if the course is really hilly. Plus, I dont think I've ever gone for a run longer than 5 miles.

- On not surviving: My last meal would be the General Tso's combo (comes with pork fried rice and an egg roll) at Chopstix, located on Garth Rd. in Scarsdale, NY. I think they should rename it the General Lee's combo.

Brandon's biggest challenges will be avoiding Twizzlers and keeping his afro trimmed to avoid excess wind resistance.

This is Marathon Running... There are Rules

There are several rules Team in Training institutes during their group running sessions. No iPods (tough break), no baby joggers (not a problem), and a required water bottle.

I'm wondering if the problem of finding a comfortable water carrying device could be solved by the Can Grenade.

Things got hectic this week but there is much more to come shortly including more bios, a potential Pre hair growing competition, our Saturday morning session in Georgetown and hopefully some info on our first fundraising event. Stay tuned and enjoy the stache.

A Brief Introduction - Chris

I was hoping to post a quick few things about each of us participating in this event, so I'll take the plunge first.



Five things about me:

- Like the rest of us, I obviously viewed running a marathon as a grueling physical and mental challenge. Basically, an experience that seemed so painful I never imagined I would want to put myself through it. However, my younger sister took up cross country a few years ago and her positive experiences, a little competitive nudge from friends and the draw of aiding a great cause was too much. So off I go.

- My past running experience was mostly forced to stay fit as a soccer player. Sure, I step out and run a couple miles every so often, but the goal was always to stay in shape for the beautiful game. Running for the sake of running - not at all my idea of a fun afternoon.

- I used to hate jogging with music because it would take over my stride. Each new song changed the beat of my footsteps. Now I don't leave without my iPod and playlist of Girl Talk, Alexisonfire, Darkest Hour, RJD2 and Minus the Bear. Weird collection, I know.

- I much prefer to run at night. I've tripped over the sidewalk and nearly been hit by many a vehicle but the morning just doesn't do it for me.

- I've worn the same pair of running shoes for about 4 years. They survived a triathlon this Fall but I think it may have been their swan song. Until it warms up again, you can find me in the dinosaur hat.



Any tips for surviving this aside from a pair of "Nip Guards?" Good running tunes? Leave a note.

More from our first Saturday

We are also working on creating a video diary series of our experience, but here are a few clips from this past saturday:

Let's go!


Ashwin's morning adventure


B. Lee's initial thoughts, waiting for the metro


We'll get our videos going - there's definitely more footage before the running, after the running and at our end 0f season soccer party. All in all, the first training session was positive for all of us. We had a great athlete's clinic for the first hour - learned the ins and outs of the great running products of Body Glide, Nip Guards, sexy running tights - and I know Brandon and I will be going shoe shopping this week! I will definitely be getting the free consultation from the physical therapist, but the one positive I will be taking from this first experience is that no matter how slow I was, I never quit. We have each other and its pretty beautiful. After the running, the seven of us headed to opened Union Jacks to watch some Premier League and at the end of our meal, no plate was left behind (read: we cleaned house on our meals). I'm looking forward to the rest of the trainings in December and our first group fund raising effort will be held at our friend's Christmas party on Saturday night (906 T Street).

Off We Go - First Saturday Team in Training Session

First of all, welcome. This is post number one to the "If Diddy Did It..." blog that will tell the story of seven friends (Ashwin, Brandon, Jessie, Brian, Lena, Crystal and Chris) training and fundraising for our first marathon.

What you'll find will hopefully be a regularly updated account of our training, fundraising efforts and thoughts along the way as we prepare for the Nashville Country Music Marathon on April 25, 2009t with a group from Team in Training.

For those that don't know, Team in Training is "the world's largest endurance sports training program" that raises funds in support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The roots of Team in Training were established in 1988 when 38 runners raised $322,000 for the Westchester/Hudson Valley LLS Chapter.

So while we prepare our bodies to complete the marathon, we'll also each be working toward a fundraising goal of $3,000 (and hopefully more!) in support of an important cause. Team in Training provides a nice breakdown of where the funds for our running will go in the LLS's efforts to cure blood cancer.



Saturday morning at 8 AM, our group of seven fearless individuals turned out in Arlington for the first DC area Team in Training session for the spring marathon season. It was not warm. Six out of seven participants were late to the meeting. Most of us were very hungry.

Despite the adverse conditions, all of us finished our 5K timed run in under 30 minutes, with results ranging between 22 to 28 minutes. All in all, some strong first steps down the long road to 26.2 miles in April.

Training day number one taught us a few things:

The early wake up calls on Saturday are going to take some getting used to as well as more than a little self control on Friday nights usually reserved for some stress busting beverages after a long week of work or school. As the training gets more intense, a rested body is going to be crucial.

Grabbing a snack before a long run is vital. Banana, toast, something. For me, it ended up being some chocolate and caramel Chex Mix from the vending machine after I ran out the door empty handed. Being low on fuel or thinking about a growling stomach is going to make some already tough running that much more difficult.

We're going to make some great friends along the way. The group of strangers jogging through Arlington hours before we'd usually be awake on a Saturday were all enthusiastic, friendly and supportive.

That's all for now. Look for personal profiles on our runners in the coming weeks. Note: There are links to the fundraising pages for each of us on the sidebar of this site. If you're feeling inspired after reading about our training please contribute to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through one of our donation pages.

Hopefully after runs we'll start seeing less of this




and more of this