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!
|
|
Run
East
Michigan
Ken Davenport has been running
the roads of Metro Detroit since 1985. He was introduced to
distance running as a way of quitting smoking and it's
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 distances 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 passion for running has been enhanced
even more and he passes this on to his
teams.
|
|
Rick Leedy has been running since 2000 when he
got up off the couch, deciding it was time to get in better shape. He
has since become an obsessed runner, completing 15 marathons, two 50K and
two 50 mile ultramarathons. He has helped a number of runners reach
the finish line at their first marathon and greatly enjoys the
experience. And if you have ever seen that runner wearing a tutu at
the Detroit Free Press Marathon, you have seen Rick.
Al Durham has been an athlete since he was
child. Thanks to his father he was introduced to distance running and
has been hooked ever since. After a family friend was diagnosed with
leukemia he joined Team In Training and completed his first marathon, the
Detroit Free Press Marathon, as a TNT participant. Since then he has
been dedicated to the cause and completed a total of six marathon events
with TNT and has also served as a TNT Mentor. You can usually
find Al on the trails and roads of metro Detroit training for his next
ultramarathon. He hopes to spread his passion for running to others
and help lead team members to achieving their goals.
West Michigan
Doug Suchecki 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.
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 9 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 believe the world is a better place
with more runners in it, and likes to see TNT alumni continue to run after
their event.
Return to top
Walk
East Michigan
Veronica Buege is a Team In Training alumni member.
After a co-worker's daughter was diagnosed with ALL (acute lymphocytic
leukemia) in 2003, it really hit home for her because her daughter was the
same age and she realized it could happen to anyone. She kept hearing
about TNT and felt this was a sign. Her first marathon was the
Nike 26.2, A Marathon For Women in San Francisco, CA, in 2004. This
year she was a TNT mentor and participant in her second
year as a walker in the Nike Women's Marathon on October 23, 2005.
When people ask how can you run that far, she tells them she's not, she's
walking, it's the new running. Veronica is very honored to be part of
the coaching staff and eager to pass on her knowledge and experience.
West Michigan
Roberta VanHarn is
the Run/Walk coach for Grand Rapids. She lives in Hamilton with her
husband Steve and their 2 children. Roberta began running in 2002
with her first event being the River Bank 25 km in May. She then
joined Team In Training in 2005 participating in the Nike Women's Marathon.
She was given the opportunity to coach with Team In Training in January
2007. She has since completed her second Fifth Third River Bank Run,
Nike Women's Half Marathon and the Grand Rapids Half Marathon. In her spare
time, she coaches Girls on the Run and shows and breeds dogs. Her dogs love
to go for runs and walks with her. She is currently training for
America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Tahoe (100miles) and a triathlon in
Middleville, MI this summer. Roberta has truly enjoyed working with
everyone associated with TNT and feels blessed to be able to help so many
people accomplish their incredible goals while raising money for a great
cause!
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 the Mayor?s Midnight Sun marathon again in 2000, the
Dublin marathon in 2002 and the PF Chang's marathon in Phoenix in 2007. 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.
Return to top
Run/Walk
Ann Arbor Area
Mary Beth Sheehan is a lifelong multisport
athlete - basketball, soccer, gymnastics, swimming - whatever season
it happened to be! She came to love running for fitness and fun. Mary
Beth has competed in every distance from the 2 mile to the marathon.
Her first TNT experience at the Vancouver Half Marathon opened the door to
a whole new world. She is dedicated to helping others complete
marathons and half marathons, while forwarding the Society's mission.
Mary Beth is a firm believer that you're never too old to try something
new, and just completed her first triathlon. A snowshoe race is the next
adventure on the horizon. In addition to coaching, she is a wife,
mother of two children, certified personal trainer and adventure runner.
Return to top
Cycle
East Michigan
Kirk Siefker started riding bikes as a
youngster just like most other kids. As an adult, he spent most of
his saddle time mountain biking until he was introduced to road biking by a
friend in 2004. He has been involved with The Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society as a supportive husband to a marathon participant (2004),
participant in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (2005-7), team mentor
(2006-7), and now as a cycling coach. He's excited to have the
opportunity to help you reach your cycling goals.
West Michigan
Jean Dangler, Grand Rapids Cycle coach, lives
outside of the Grand Rapids area in the town of Cascade. She's
happily married to Ron and has three children Becky, Cory, Bethany and her
daughter-in-law, Sarah. Cycling has been an obsession of hers for
over 15 years. She started out by helping her church high school
youth group with their annual summer bike trips--which have taken them all
over the U.S. In 2006, she had the pleasure of cycling the perimeter
of Michigan (1,300 miles) with two very good friends. S he really enjoys
helping others catch the enthusiasm for bike riding. Jean became
involved with the Leukemia Society as a participant for the Tahoe ride in
2006. Since then, she has been the Team In Training coach for West MI and
did the Tahoe event and El Tour de Tucson in 2007. She has made so
many life long friends while fund-raising and coaching. She said
watching her team grow into stronger riders and accomplish something they
never thought they could do is a very awesome experience. GO TEAM!!
Return to top
Triathlon
East Michigan
Anne Demko is the TNT triathlon swimming coach.
She is currently coaching her 5th season of athletes for our
organization. Anne has thoroughly enjoyed sharing her love of
swimming and triathlon each season with enthusiastic and motivated team
members. A former collegiate swimmer Anne took up running marathons
and competing in triathlon 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 breeds and is delighted to share this with new team members each
season.
Damon Krueger is an alumni member of the TNT
St. Anthony's Triathlon team and a University of Michigan graduate student
working towards a PhD in fisheries management. He is happy to be a part of
the coaching staff for another great season. While Damon has always had a
love of running and cycling, he began racing just five years ago. Since
then he has completed over 20 triathlons of varying distances including an
Ironman finish in November 2007 and has set a personal goal of qualifying
for the World Ironman Championship in Kona, Hawaii. He brings great
enthusiasm to his role as a coach, and truly has a passion for triathlon
and TNT.
Kevin Merritt, a TNT alumni, has 12 Triathlons
under his belt at various lengths and a few time trials. He also has
completed a half and full marathon and is excited about endurance
sports. Kevin enjoys cycling and working on bikes. With a
family and full time job in which requires extensive travel, he realizes
the time constraints in training vs. family and work life and will help in
planning a schedule that will work for you.
Brian Gabel is a two-time TNT triathlon alumnus
(Philadelphia 2006 and Gulf Coast 2007) and has competed in 11 triathlons
from sprint to half Ironman distance. 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 is immensely proud of how well everyone on the
Nation's Triathlon Team raced in Washington, DC in September 2007. His
personal goal for 2008 is to race in his first marathon (with Team in
Training, of course!).