Running Without Music

Sorry for the lack of updates, it’s been pretty busy with the new summer marathon season, which is already at week 5! As you can see from the screenshot above, I’ve been busy creating and maintaining that website. During the season, I will update fundraising updates on the Westside LA TNT Marathon Blog, and I will post updates on my training here.

Week 5 practice tomorrow will be in Marina Del Rey, one of my favorite running spots. It’s not too busy and it’s relatively flat. The tough part about tomorrow is the it’s Daylight Saving’s Time adjustment so it’s really 7am instead of 8am. I’m so glad to be back in Team In Training though, especially as a mentor. I love helping people out, and so far it’s been a great season. Everyone is so friendly & energetic (as always).

Amazing! Dane Rauschenberg (www.fiddy2.org) finished 52 marathons in 52 weeks back in 2006. This video tells you why he did it, and how. You know what else is crazy? He still managed to NOT take any time off, and still worked a full time job averaging at 50 hours a week! This goes to show that anything is possible!

Last year was Team in Training’s 20th anniversary. I don’t know how I missed this one, but it’s their special 20th anniversary website. They have a scrapbook you can browse through with some interesting photos about the Team and its experiences.

Even though this is about the TNT cycle team, we are all part of the same Team (In Training) supporting the same cause. This video is so powerful, showing video of the camaraderie of cyclists, and images of the children affected by the disease. It’s very heartfelt, and the song is “Star” by Zoo Story. It’s a great video to keep looking back at for motivation, reminding of us all why we do the things we do.

Sure, we do know how to have fun, but TNT Liquor? What are the directions?

I have a huge interest in online marketing, web design, and running. This video covers all three. Sure, it’s a marketing video trying to get people to use the Google Website Optimizer, but it was some great insight by the VP of eMarketing of LLS on why certain aspects of the TNT website exist. I bet you never knew how much effort is put into a website like that?

A few months ago, my friend Michelle, from NY TNT, had a brilliant campaign, Sponsor-A-Mile. This season, I’m recycling that idea for my next TNT season. I’ve only been promoting this campaign and i’ve already filled up half the slots - a half marathon of sponsors, if you will. It’s really great because each of the sponsors follow up with an encouraging e-mail telling me of how much they have my back and love how I’m involved in the community.

What do you get if you donate $50 or more? Your name and/or business name and URL will be listed on my fundraising page, Running WIthout Music Facebook Group page, and on this blog’s redesigned front page. You will also get a Twitter update (to over 1,000 followers), a Facebook status update (to approximately 750), and a MySpace bulletin (to about 900). Since most of these broadcasts are going out to my close friends and family, expect to get several visits, because they trust that I don’t blast spam links, and most are curious who is sponsoring. I’ve been told from some friends that they like to see who has sponsored, and most have been something they show an interest in. It’s a win-win for a $50 donation, and if you look at it, it’s less than $10 a month in marketing, AND you’ve contributed to a good cause.

Please sponsor a mile today, and help save lives!

Here are the sponsors, so far (THANK YOU!):

• 1 - Entropy Entertainment - Multimedia Marketing and Production
  http://entropy.com
• 2 - NutriShop Redondo Beach - Sports Nutrition & Supplements
  http://www.NutriShopRedondoBeach.com - Jodi (Lee) Villanueva
• 3 - Yor Health
  http://www.yorhealth.com
• 4 - MADE Jewelry
  http://madejewelry.com
• 5 - Ek5obition
  http://www.ek5obition.com
• 6
• 7 - Ann Cong - Seafood World Restaurant
  http://www.seafoodworldrestaurant.com
• 8
• 9 - Samantha Duenas - So Super Sam
  http://www.sosupersam.com
• 10 - Jharvis Licera - “I Support TWLOHA. Do your part to make this world a better place.”
  http://www.twloha.com
• 11
• 12 - Vanae - Dating Advice & Relationship Coach
  http://www.vanae.com
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• 17 - EARN EXTRA CASH
  http://MarvinLikesTo.EarnCollegeBucks.com
• 18
• 19 - MEET LOCAL SINGLES
  http://MarvinLikesTo.MeetupLocals.com
• 20
• 21
• 22 - Lightly Cooked Media
  http://www.lightlycooked.com
• 23
• 24
• 25
• 26 - Hien Tran of Hienerella Cupcakes
• 26.2 - Christopher A. Jordan, DDS & CamTu N. Pham, DDS
  http://www.JordanPhamDentistry.com

Sponsor-A-Mile

For the past three years I’ve heard nothing but great things about this race. Schedule has always stopped me from registering because it has always been a few weeks before the big race, the San Diego Rock N Roll Marathon. It’s up in the Bay Area, and people dress up from crazy themed outfits, to body paint, to nothing at all. I’ve heard stories of people pulling beer kegs on pull wagons, no one really taking the run seriously, and meeting some cool and interesting people. Damn! I wish I could go this year, but I’ll be vacationing in cancun the week before for a bachelor party. What would you choose? I guess Bay to Breakers will have to wait.

If you want to register, you can do so here.

Check out the Flickr Photos from past Bay to Breakers

Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a manufacturer and supplier of peanut butter for many food companies and manufacturers, is under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a recent Salmonella outbreak thought to be caused by tainted peanut butter. Due to that investigation, certain Clif Bars with the possibility of having this product are under recall. I know a lot of runners use Clif Bars as a source of energy for runs, so I thought I’d spread the word.

You can read more about it here.

This just insane! I was just browsing for some interesting videos on active living, then I came across this extreme sport of kite surfing. Imagine being on a snowboard, then getting a huge kite to pull you through, BUT in extreme winds. Results are potentially dangerous… look at this guy.