Yesterday was the 'Kick-off' - the day that all of the Team in Training participants for the Summer 2010 season gathered together to meet their individual teammates, coaches, mentors, and captains who will help them along the way to reach their fitness and fund raising goals.
What a wonderful group of people! And a large group of people. Hundreds and hundreds of individuals all joining together for a common goal: to find a cure for cancer.
Our first speaker, Russ (the fundraising captain for the Diablo Valley Summer 2010 running team) talked about how the funds we raise are going to be used for research and patient services, honoring area patients and their families, and finding a CURE for all forms of leukemia, lymphoma and other blood-related illnesses.
Our second speaker, Michelle, told us about her diagnosis of myelo dysplasia, her treatment and battle with the disease, and ultimately her remission and recovery.
Finally we split into our teams to discuss our training schedule, the hikes we'll do, and fundraising techniques to help us along the way. There are a number of different endurance events this season with Team in Training, the smallest team being hiking with a total of 31 members (we may be small but we are mighty!). Other teams include: triathlon (swimming, cycling, and running!), cycling, marathon runners, and marathon walkers.
"What is the difference between walking and hiking?" a woman asked me. "Asphalt," I said.
Other TNT participants asked me why I was doing hiking and not just walking a marathon - I replied that instead of listening to the sounds of cars and buses pass me by, I'll be listening to the wind in the trees and the delicate chirps of forest birds. I'll be walking on dirt and I'll be smelling wild flowers instead of city air. Who wouldn't want to experience those things?
I don't mind the small group of dedicated hikers - in fact, I believe this will help us grow closer as a team and form good friendships and bonds with one another.
The hiking team spent the next hour getting to know everyone, going over the 2 separate trips (Tahoe Rim Trail or Zion National Park), learning about the right gear and wrong gear, and we talked about what trails we'll be visiting over the next 4 months of training.
Next week will be our first Team Hike at Tilden Park, Inspiration Point. I'll be sure to keep you updated and I'll have another post up soon.
Photos courtesy of Oda Bigler
I like many things about hiking, and, like you, I especially like the silence of the trail and opportunity to listen for nature. I love hiking with people, but I noticed that even when hiking with company, I have one intense full minute to myself, where is just me and the trail. I look forward to that one minute in every hike.
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