Posted on: Friday, February 25, 2005
Hawai'i Kai man trains for cause close to heart
| Around Town: Lanikai Triathlon set for March 20 |
| Sports notices |
| Training clubs: Finding one that fits your needs |
By Oscar A. Hernandez As a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training, Hawai'i Kai resident
Christopher "Kit" Smith maintains a personal purpose beyond fitness.
"I deeply care about the TNT cause (leukemia/lymphoma research) since my wife, Margie, and I lost our daughter Patty to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1981, at age 18," said Smith, 70.
Oscar A. Hernandez Special to The Advertiser "Patty loved to run," Smith said. "In fact, she joined me and her sister, Sandy, in running the 1979 Honolulu Marathon. That was three months before her cancer was diagnosed and 18 months before she died."
With 14 marathons under his belt prior to joining TNT, Smith, a retired business writer for The Honolulu Advertiser, first became aware of the program in 1997 after receiving a mailer from the LLS, informing about the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska.
Smith and his wife signed up for the TNT/Anchorage program, and participated in the race.
"Margie did it as a 'love gift' to me," said Smith, as the race took place on their 38th wedding anniversary.
To cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.
Who can join?
Anyone.
Where and when to meet
Informational meetings and training sessions are scheduled at various locations on O'ahu. Contact Jenny McVeay, Team in Training manager for the Hawai'i chapter, at 534-1222, or visit www.teamintraining.org
About Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training
As the largest endurance sports training program in the world, TNT will provide you with the experience of a lifetime, including:
Coaching and training. Travel to a major marathon, half marathon, century or triathlon in exciting locations. The opportunity to make your athletic goals a reality (an unbeatable offer with great personal rewards). A connection with an honored patient so you know just who and what you're doing it all for. In exchange for training and support, you help raise money toward cures for blood cancers like leukemia the No. 1 disease killer of children lymphoma and myeloma.
Source: LLS Web site
"I have found much fulfillment in encouraging first-time marathoners, as well as experienced runners seeking to improve their performances," he said. "I have made many lasting friendships through this program."
As an avid runner, Smith said he was not training properly prior to joining TNT, as it was his habit to train alone.
"After the Anchorage Marathon in 1997, I was hooked on TNT," he said. "Getting a day-by-day training schedule provided me much needed discipline ... and for the first time I understood the need for speed training."
Smith's third-place finish in his age group at Anchorage, "rekindled (a) passion for marathoning," he said.
Under Jonathan Lyau's coaching, he was inspired to qualify for the Boston Marathon, "and since then, I have run two Bostons in 2000 and 2002," said Smith, who ran a 3:39 in 2002.
Smith's improved performance continued after Boston, as he had never won an age-group division until the 2004 Honolulu Marathon, where he crossed the finish line in 3:49:34.
Smith also is a member of a gym, which he visits once a week.
"I'm convinced that building upper-body strength helps with overall fitness and helps me in my running," he said.
However, Smith finds the camaraderie in TNT very important to maintaining his enthusiasm, compared to going to the gym alone.
Smith is very forthright when it comes to recommending a group.
"Join a group that provides you at least weekly opportunities to train with others," he said. "It's amazing how well you can get to know someone on a run of an hour or two."
Reach Oscar Hernandez at oscar_photography@yahoo.com
Training clubs: Finding one that fits your needs
Here we are still early in the year, and perhaps you, like many others, are seeking to fulfill your New Year's resolution by lifting yourself off a couch that has molded to the shape of your body.
Perhaps you considered joining a gym, but don't want to be pressured to sign on a dotted line that will ensnare you like a cell phone plan.
But you lack one important factor that prevents you from lacing up your fitness shoes: motivation.
Well, procrastinate no more. In the following weeks, you will be introduced to a few training clubs/groups that will cost you less than a gym membership, and the only contract you have to deal with is your own will to succeed with your New Year's resolution.
TIPS
A good way to find information on fitness clubs/groups is to check out fliers at your local sporting goods store. Most groups have informational fliers that provide a brief description of the types of fitness activities they offer. When considering a group or club, ask if it offers a free trial period (most clubs offer this) to see if the training group is a perfect fit for your needs.
The Advertiser will be profiling the following fitness/running clubs on O'ahu.
Jan. 14Try Fitness!
Jan. 21Team Jet Hawai'i
Feb. 4Jonathan Lyau's Personal Best Training
Feb. 11Brian Clarke's School of Running
TodayTeam in Training
Honolulu Marathon Clinic
Special to The Advertiser
Running had always been a part of the Smith family.
Kit Smith and his wife, Margie, lost their daughter Patty to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1981 when their daughter was 18 years old.
Since then Smith has been a TNT member, and has taken on a role as a mentor and fund-raising participant.
Club's mission
THE SERIES
UPCOMING