A Brief Introduction - Lena

Five things about Lena Feldman:

On joining Team in Training: I always considered running a marathon, but only wanted to do it if I had a great group and some live music to get me through. Although I'm not a huge country music fan, I definitely think it will be a good time!

On training habits: I like training the most in the mornings, but I find it easier training in the afternoons. In my headphones while I run I've got anything that will pump me up: Rihanna, JT, Fergie, Beyonce, Madonna... It just has to be fast-paced and fun!

On running experience: My longest run before this was a 10k. My biggest hurdle to training is my crazy schedule in the spring with classes, working, and internships... yikes!

On goals: Finishing in under five hours. It's my first marathon though, so as long as I cross the finish line, I'll be happy!

On stuffed animals: My favorite: Hyacinth. It's a ballerina hippo.

Lena will be spending much of her little free time figuring out how to beat Brian (see photo above) to the finish line and avoiding sneak attack signs of friendly affection (see photo below).

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.

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.

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.