TNT Coach Mike Arrington featured in the paper!

Here's an article about TNT Va's very own coach Mike Arrington, written by Ryan Arnold for the Collegiate Times:

Mike Arrington recommends chocolate milk after intense exercise, but on Tuesday he drank an Arizona peach iced tea following his 50-mile, three-hour bicycle ride.

Executive sous chef for the Inn at Virginia Tech, Arrington chomped on a sandwich at the Blacksburg Public Library for nutrients the sweet beverage lacked.

The quick meal preceded an information meeting about Team In Training, the world's largest charity endurance sports training program. When his kitchen apron comes off, Arrington is the coach for local TNT participants.

Started in 1988, TNT is part of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The two decades of individual fundraising for marathons, half marathons, triathlons and 100-mile bicicyle rides has yielded more than $1 billion for cancer research.

Arrington assumed the coaching role in 2005, several years after joining TNT in honor of a friend who died of Leukemia.

The regimen for the fall season beings next monthm, and the six runners - a roster Arrington hopes to see grow - will ultimately compete in either a marathon or half marathon.

The three event locations are distant. Athletes can stay close in Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C., or make the trek to San Francisco.

Having completed 16 marathons - he wore a 2007 Boston Marathon hat - Arrington aims to compete in a more challenging half Ironman, which is a 70.3 mile triathlon. He'll t ravel to Augusta, Ga., in late September after raising his $3,000.

Arrington sat with the Collegiate Times to discuss his running origins and the motivatiosn that TNT provides.

Read the rest of this article, including Arrington's interview, here: http://bit.ly/coachmikearrington

Tornadoes Can't Rain on a TNT Parade! - By Elizabeth Merce

The trip started with a belly full of butterflies and a carry-on full of running gear. Arriving in Nashville, my hopes were high for a beautiful weekend. The first night in Nashville included a dinner at the Big River Grill, $5 cowboy hats, and drinks at Tootsies. The weather was perfect! Blue skies and the temperature was just right.



The second day in Nashville started with my favorite activity- running! My group had the chance to take a short run with the group from the National Capital team. We ran through Honky Tonk row to the river and back to the hotel. While we only went a couple of miles I was relieved to find the hills were not the challenge I originally thought. My husband and I spent the rest of the day exploring the city on foot. We were pleased to find how pedestrian friendly Nashville is.


Friday night we attended the Inspiration Dinner. I ate so much amazing food I even had to take pictures of it so I could believe it later! The dinner was so emotional. We heard stories of amazing fundraisers and even more amazing fighters. Hearing about how my little acts of fundraising have made a difference in someone’s life moved me to tears. Those little efforts I put in really help find treatments! To top off such a great dinner I got to take a picture with the MC of the night- the PENGUIN!!!


Saturday morning started off with clear skies and warm temperatures. The forecast was for strong thunderstorms including the chance of tornadoes. I was nervous about the weather, especially since I’m terrified of lightning. Aside from the weather I felt more prepared than I had for anything I had done in my life. Coach Bob transformed me from a hesitant runner into a marathoner!


The support on the course was phenomenal! Everywhere I looked there were Team in Training supporters. Even those in their yards were shouting “Go Team!” The hills seemed to disappear as I heard the cheers of the supporters and remembered just how many people rely on what Team in Training does.


By mile 9 I was feeling great, the sun was still shining and I felt as though I might be able to beat the impending storms. As I approached mile 10 the clouds really started to roll in. Mile 11 met me with course marshals telling me that the full course was closed because of the weather and I would only be allowed to complete the half course. I began to feel moisture on my face. It wasn’t rain, but tears. I worked so hard for so many months only to be told that I wouldn’t be allowed to even try to reach my goal.


I understood what they did was best for the runners, supporters, and staff on the course. I was torn between knowing that I reached the more important fundraising goal while feeling disappointed that I own a marathon medal for completing a half marathon.


Partying at the Wildhorse Saloon with my fellow Team in Training participants helped alleviate some of my unhappiness. By the time I landed on the ground at home I was much happier about the entire trip knowing that I had accomplished my main task- raising money for an amazing organization.