Things are Rocking!!

The Austin TNT Big Bend Hike Team 2010 is pounding out the miles, working on their fitness, and raising money to crush cancer!!

The group is starting to gel and get to know each other. We're building relationships and making lifelong friendships! Last week was our Mission Workout, we had our very own Tom Wilkinson told his story and Liz Yankiver played Amazing Grace on her bagpipes. It was AWESOME!! Just more evidence that this is the greatest TNT team and event in the history of ever!!

Our hardworking group has raised over $5,700 in just over two weeks!! That rocks, lots of success and creativity raising money. That's why we do this, the money raised by the team goes to research and patient services. Along those lines, our Honored Teammate Dan has reached a huge milestone! He's in the first stage of remission, which is freakin' awesome! The research that led to the medicine he's taking was funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society supported by TNT athletes. That's what it's about!!

Here's the reminder to all my TNT teammates, there is no SAG in Big Bend. If you can't finish a bike ride, a tri, or a marathon, somebody will pick you up and take you home. In Big Bend, there is no free ride. This means the workouts are very important! If you're not making the team workouts, please be doing workouts on your own. This is critical!!

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me, or email.

Off to a Great Start!!

Alright, TNT Big Bend 2010 is off to an amazing start! We have 14 athletes (with hopefully more on the way) getting prepared for the trip of a lifetime to Big Bend! It started with Kickoff at the Radisson where we heard the reasons why we we do this. A great talk from Mike Thompson about his fight and win against cancer really drove home the purpose of TNT and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Our first team hike was on the Town Lake Hike and Bike trail, a good shakedown for the Team and an opportunity to get to know one another. Our honored teammate Dan, who is fighting cancer now, is going to be training with us over the next few months.

The first hike went well, only four lost hikers! No, seriously, 4 of our teammates took a wrong turn, but did find their way back. Lesson for me (the Worst. Coach. Ever.) is to NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING! I didn't even think about the fact that not everybody has been on the Hike and Bike trail. My bad!

Since Fitness is a key part of the TNT mission, we will be meeting as a Team every Wednesday for more fun, in addition to workouts the other days. The group met at 6:30 and a brief rain shower cooled it down, a definite blessing. The Team was introduced to Squats, Lunges, Push ups, Sit ups, Swings, all kinds of fun! The idea was to present core exercises they could do at home without a bunch of equipment. A short workout followed (squats, lunges, sit ups, scissors, and swimmers, and a trip up Murchison hill x 2). Everyone did great! There will be some sore muscles tomorrow, but folks are ready to get their fitness on!!

So, its not too late! If you're interested in joining in the fun, please contact us!! Visit the TNT website for details and get in on the trip of a lifetime while helping put an end to cancer!!

Update on the Schedule

Alright y'all, the schedule has been drafted and while its not set in stone, its a starting point! We've lined up some great activities that will not just prepare you for the hike, they will introduce you to much of the best of Texas! We will be taking advantage of our proximity to the Hill Country to do hikes that combine hills with scenic beauty, and small towns to visit when we're done with the work. We're also planning two overnight events before the big hike that will combine hiking one day and canoeing, just like our Big Bend excursion. So, here's some of the places we're going:

State Parks:

Enchanted Rock, Bastrop, Inks Lake, Hill Country State Natural Area, Lost Maples State Natural Area

Other Sites:

Mission Trail San Antonio, LCRA Lake Bastrop Parks, Barton Creek, Wild Basin, and Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake to us old timers)

In addition to hiking, we're going to canoe, maybe Stand Up Paddle, definitely spend a day tubing on the Guadalupe, and other fun stuff to be announced!

If you're still wondering if this program is for you, remember, all the fun you have is for a much greater cause, putting an end to blood cancers. The money you raise goes to fund research and patient services to help those struggling against cancer.

Please spread the word to your friends, get involved, and be ready for the time of your life!