The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Michigan Chapter Team In Training® (TNT) program's coaches have extensive fitness backgrounds and the skills and knowledge to get you to the finish line!
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Run
East Michigan
 Ken Davenport has been a TNT coach since 2005.Ken has been running the roads of Metro Detroit since 1985. He was introduced to distance running as a way of quitting smoking and it has stayed with him ever since. If you haven't seen Ken at a local race, you've probably heard him, he's known for being a vocal participant. Ken has completed over 700 road races varying in distance from one mile to the marathon. Ken's love for running is something that he enjoys sharing with anyone that will listen. Since joining the coaching staff of TNT, Ken's running family has grown by leaps and bounds. He still stays in touch with the TNT alumni that have passed his way.
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Michael Wolff is a United States Track and Field Association certified coach. He joined TNT as a coach in 2010 after having first completed St. Anthony?s triathlon as a participant. Since the fall of 2008, Mike has ran 6 sub 4 hour marathons including a Boston Marathon qualifying personal best of 3:14:33. Mike draws on his vast life experiences to bring together an eclectic coaching style that is well suited for athletes from beginner to veteran. He is always scouring the latest resource to find the newest trend, tid-bit of wisdom and inspirational mantra that will give his athletes the edge in their training. A proud father Mike understands the difficulties of training while also balancing the priorities of work and family. His short term goal is to be the best father, husband and person that he can be. His long term goal is peace on Earth. Mike has 100% faith that your TNT adventure will be a life changing experience and offers this bit of wisdom to prospective endurance athletes, ?Success is only a matter of what you can will to achieve."
Sue Hardin began coaching with TNT in 2008. Since then, she's had the privilege of helping hundreds of runners cross the finish line. Sue is passionate about supporting new and seasoned athletes as they achieve their personal training goals. Whether it's grabbing a new PR or making it to the 13.1 finish, Sue will be there to ensure your success. She's just as passionate about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's cause to find a cure. Sue is a regular TNT fundraiser because she has a stake in the mission. Her sister-in-law and friend, Nancy, has been battling non-Hodgkins Lymphoma for over 5 years. Thankfully, Nancy is celebrating a healthy remission. "It's a privilege to spend my Saturdays with such wonderful people and to have a chance to work with so many fine athletes. Together we can train to beat blood cancer."
Sandy Freund is the fall/winter run coach at Stony Creek Metro Park. She's been involved with LLS for over 7 years now. She has been running for almost 25 years. During that time she has run hundreds of races from 5Ks to a 50 mile ultra marathon. She qualified for and ran the Boston Marathon twice. In addition to coaching for LLS, she has coached elementary and middle school track teams. She has a passion for running. Sandy says, "I can honestly say that my time with LLS has been incredible. I have met so many truly incredible people and to be able to say that I helped them to accomplish their goal in completing their event just amazes me. I love what I do and am proud to be part of an organization that is so determined to find a cure. Hope to see you on the trails!".
Anne Demko is in her sixth year coaching with TNT. Anne began her coaching journey as a triathlon swim coach and has bnow moved over to our marathon program to coach runners. A former collegiate swimmer, Anne took up running marathons and competing in triathlons 15 years ago. Since then, she has participated in countless road races, triathlons and century rides. She is proudest of her Boston Marathon and Florida Ironman completions. Anne happily admits to being addicted to the lifestyle the sport of triathlon and marathon breeds and is delighted to share this with new team members each season.
West Michigan
Doug Suchecki (picture to follow) began with Team In Training in the fall of 2000 shortly after his father passed away from lymphoma. He completed the Chicago Marathon in 2001, 2002 and the famous Chicago Marathon of 2007. He also completed the Detroit Free Press Marathon in 2003 and the Walt Disney World Marathon in 2004. Doug loves playing a part in training runners and looks forward to helping people accomplish their goals, especially first timers. He believes that completing an event for the first time is something that cannot be replicated. Doug's best advice is to always remember the three P's. Patience, Persistence and Practice. If you remember the three P's, Performance will come easy.
Mary Bokhout has been involved with TNT since 2008 in various roles; first as a participant, then mentor, walk coach and now run coach. She is passionate about encouraging runners and walkers to experience crossing the finish line for this amazing cause. She has completed both half and full marathon distances with a smile on her face. Mary encourages keeping a race on the calendar to stay motivated and training.
Mike Gutowsky (picture to follow) has been a run coach with TNT since the Fall of 2009. He has ran 24 marathons (thereabouts) to date, big and small, all over the country. Coaching allows him to give back to the sport of running which has given him much and indirectly help raise monies to fight blood cancer. A native of Troy, MI, Mike obtained both his B.B.A. and M.A. from Western Michigan University. He has lived in Ohio, Florida, and Arizona, and returned to Michigan in 2004. Mike became involved with TNT at the 2005 Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage and continues to be excited about his involvement with the organization and working with runners. Away from work and TNT, Mike enjoys spending time with family, participating in and watching other sports (especially tennis), and movies.
Shannon Sauer-Becker is excited to start as a new TNT coach in 2011. She has been the team captain/mentor for the 2010 season; assisting both summer and fall team in reaching their fundraising goals. She has participated in 3 TNT events raising over $6,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She has ran the 2009 Grand Rapids Full Marathon and The Bayshore Half Marathon twice! Shannon loves working with people and strongly believes in the LLS mission and believes the world is a better place with runners like you.
Lansing
Bruce Howard has been a TNT coach since 2002. Since 1980 he has completed over 600 road races and is a fixture at Mid-Michigan events. He has completed nine marathons including the prestigious Boston Marathon. Bruce is a believer in the Chi Running Method which some think is a more efficient method that produces fewer injuries. Bruce believes the world is a better place with more runners in it, and likes to see TNT alumni continue to run after their event.
Walk
East Michigan
Annamarie Conley has been involved with TNT and LLS since early in 2002 when she walked in her first full marathon. Since that time she has participated in 2 other full marathon events, mentored a team and then became a walk/run coach in 2009. In the fall of 2010, Annamarie had the great fortune to be certified as a Tier 1 Walk coach by Tom Dooley, the National Advisory Walk Coach. This certification will enable Annamarie to pass along to all team members a level of expertise and confidence that she will be able to help anyone train and cross the finish line. Her motto being, "Those who stay will be Champions", Bo Schembechler.
Lori Stauffer
became involved with Team In Training in 2004 when she began training to walk her first Half Marathon at Disney. While training for her second event, she lost her mother, Mary, to Multiple Myeloma. She coached a season of walkers in 2006, before moving out of state for a year. Upon returning to Michigan, she resumed training with TNT, and has completed 8 half marathons and 1 full marathon. She is very excited to share her passion for walking and walk/run with her participants.
Tammy Gualdoni joined TNT as the Royal Oak Half or Full Marathon Walk Coach after completing several half marathon walk events. She has since coached 11 events around the United States. She went one step further and became a true TNT alumni by fundraising, training and running a local Michigan Marathon, proclaiming as she crossed the finish line "TNT has allowed me to run and walk a marathon - I prefer walking the 26.2 miles!!!" Tammy is back in 2010 because watching participants blossom through the 5 plus months of training to achieve their goal of becoming an endurance athlete changes their lives and the lives of those dealing with blood cancers - a win-win all the way around.
Kristen Cochran (picture to follow) has been involved with Team In Training since 2007. It was the "cause" that first attracted her to signing up for her first half marathon. More than anyone, Kristen knows the importance of the mission as she is a Hodgkin's Lymphoma Survivor. She has since gone on to compete in several other TNT races - marathon, triathlon and most recently a Half Ironman. It is not only the personal connection but also the team camaraderie that has brought her back year after year. In 2009, she took her involvement with the Team to the next level by becoming the Ann Arbor Walk Coach. She enjoys sharing her passion and helping others reach their goal of crossing the finish line.
Sherri Richards has had three people in her life diagnosed with a blood cancer in a six month period.Sherri Richards had to do something that would help find a cure. She signed up to walk the Nike Marathon in 2008. Her hand was shaking so much when she signed the papers because she knew in her heart that her life was about to change on a very deep level. In 2010 when the opportunity came to train to be a marathon walk coach, she said, ?Sign me up!". She says, "Coaching has been such a gift. There is nothing more rewarding than supporting someone else?s journey to cross the finish line and the only way to find a cure is by raising the money to support the research. It?s all good!".
Teri Schuller became a certified walk coach after completing 2 full marathons in 2003 with TNT. An athlete as a child, sidelined with a shoulder injury she quickly took to walking a marathon to support her childhood friend that has CML. Knowing the program akes a difference in many lives, she wanted to share her excitement and passion for completing half marathons or marathons. She has coached participants of all ages and fitness levels to the finish line and loves being part of their ?live changing? event. You will often see her at training or on the course with some type of hat!
West Michigan
Karen Kurnat-Beyer began as a participant with TNT in 1997 completing her first Marathon in Honolulu, HI in honor of her cousin (14 at time). He agreed to be her Honored Hero as he an athlete himself believed this was a celebration on his behalf (remission since 96). From then she continued to complete many marathons and half marathon with TNT. Karen is honored to be a TNT walking coach. ?I hope to take all that I?ve learned from my coaches in the past to help anyone, from any stage of life, to cross the finish line! Everyone has choices to make in life; mine to sign up in 1997 for my first marathon through TNT was the BEST one I made. I walk to celebrate life and in honor of those stricken with ugliness of cancer. The ?You CAN Do it? attitude is so true for many through TNT, as long as you make the choice to take the challenge!!!? Karen truly believes in the LLS mission and that TNT is best program for the novice walker to become an endurance athlete. It is her hope that a cure for cancer is just around the corner in the next mile of this race. You too can choose to make a difference and help in this fight!
Lansing
Lynnae Jess began with Team In Training in 1997 when she walked the Mayor's Midnight Sun marathon in Anchorage. Since then she has completed five more TNT events. In January of 2004, when she was given the chance to become the walking coach for the Lansing area, she jumped at the opportunity. Coaching has been her opportunity to help others realize their dreams of completing a half or full marathon, while at the same time raise much needed funds to help find new ways to treat these blood cancers and ultimately find a cure. She believes that anyone who is physically capable and has the determination to train can and will complete a half or full marathon. Once you cross that finish line you will realize there isn't anything you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Cycle
Steve Frank remembers riding his bike everywhere as a kid growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. As a little kid he had an awesome Schwinn with a banana seat. He rode it to school...to the store...to friends' houses...to the train station, locked it up, and took the train in to Philly. Some of his greatest memories were on the bike. It brought him great freedom. As an adult he started doing century rides and quickly remembered how powerful time in the saddle can be. Steve has participated in century rides all over the country as well as multi-day rides in the U.S. and Europe. Having trained over 250 athletes and every day people to complete endurance cycling events for TNT during the past six years, Steve's greatest enjoyment is helping participants break this huge goal into smaller steps and seeing the pure joy on their faces after they've crossed the finish line, accomplishing something that only a few months earlier seemed so far away.
Triathlon
Brian Gabel is a two-time TNT triathlon alumnus (Philadelphia 2006 and Gulf Coast 2007) and has been a TNT triathlon coach for four years. He loves the challenge and reward of transforming new TNT participants into triathletes and is a huge believer in the many benefits of training as a team. Brian considers himself lucky to be involved with TNT and honored to help participants achieve their goals. He loves to see the wonderful alumni who come back year after year, dedicate themselves to the mission, become long-term ambassadors of the program, and develop a healthy addiction to the sport! He has made many lifelong friends through Team in Training and even met his wife when both were training for a triathlon with TNT!!!
Mike Jacobs grew up as a soccer and tennis player, but needed some new athletic hobbies after a sports-related injury in 2003. He was introduced to endurance sports and TNT as a first-time marathoner in the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Alaska in 2004. Since then, he went on to participate in four more TNT events (two cycling and two triathlon), mentor for one event, and most recently became a TNT triathlon coach. He's completed five marathons and 20 triathlons (including an Ironman in 2009). He enjoys the team camaraderie that develops during the journey through each season with TNT, and has made many life long friends through the program. He also loves the rewarding experience of helping both beginner and experienced triathletes reach their goals. Mike looks forward to seeing every team member swim, bike, and run their way across the finish line!
Asher Cornelius started chasing endurance sports ten years ago, but when he attempted his first triathlon he injured his shoulder due to bad swim technique. He was attracted to TNT for the coaching and to simultaneously support an important charity. That first season in 2004 led to lifelong friendships and a commitment to the multisport lifestyle. He's completed three TNT events (currently training for a fourth) and coached three seasons of athletes to cross the finish line. As for that shoulder injury, thanks to the superb swim instruction he received at TNT, Asher has now completed four Ironman triathlons and is training for his fifth.
Stu Baskin I have been a runner for 11 years, a biker for 5 years and a triathlete for 4 years. My first year of triathlons started with the TNT triathlon program and ended with a full Ironman. Since that day I have competed in one sprint, countless Olympic distance, 5 Half Ironman and 3 Full Ironman Triathlons. My passion is for the sport of triathlon and the mission of TNT and LLS. I am certified as a Level I USAT Coach, a spin instructor, and Dave Scott tri coaching. I started my journey down the path of raising funds and coaching because I lost a close family member to cancer, so I honor her memory and train heroes each day in the hope that one day we will find a cure to all cancers. Come join the team, it will truly be a life changing experience.
West Michigan
Dave DaPrato has been involved with TNT since 2009 when he worked as a Marketing Assistant for the first Spring season. That year he also completed the Flying Pig 1/2 Marathon as a participant. He has been a triathlete for 11 years and just last year turned semi-professional. To date, he has completed 57 triathlons from sprint to Ironman distance. He swam in high school and college and currently coaches Master's Swimming as a WSI (water safety instructor). In February he will have completed the ITCA triathlon coach certification. Dave says, "TNT is an amazing society that I plan to support in the many years to come."
Hike
Mandie Chapman first became involved with LLS and TNT when she signed up for her first hike in 2006. She participated in a hike at Grand Canyon National Park and came back the next year as a mentor. TNT Hike allowed for Mandie to meet two goals at the same time, 1. Raise money for an amazing charity and 2. Visit and hike in some of the most spectacular National Parks this country has. Since then, Mandie has trained hundreds of participants for different hike events. One of the many things Mandie loves about TNT Hike is that the options for participants are so varied that anyone could complete a hike and know that they've truly accomplished something amazing. For Mandie hike is very personal as the training allows for the team to get to know each other very well and also see so many local parks.
Brahm Windeler has been involved with the TNT program since 2006. After discovering a love of running but moving away from his running partner, he was looking for something to keep him motivated to maintain an active lifestyle. He joined the Team In Training marathon training program when he realized he could get that motivation and contribute to a worthy cause all at the same time. Due to the fantastic experience and friendships made through the training, he decided to come back in 2008 to take part in the TNT Hike program to do more of another one of his favorite activities and to explore the parks around southeast Michigan (all while raising money for that worthy cause again). He has done extensive hiking in the Sierra Nevada backcountry in and around Yosemite National Park (including the 223-mile John Muir Trail) and has summited 3 of California's peaks above 14,000 ft. In 2010 he joined TNT Hike program yet again but this time contributing his knowledge and love of hiking, backpacking, and the outdoors as a coach.
