ph: (720) 440-8620
Local Staff Contacts
Rocky Mountain
720 S. Colorado Blvd., Suite 500-S
Denver, CO 80246
Denver, CO 80246
Rocky Mountain TNT Coaches
Marathon and Half Marathon Programs
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Stephen "Mitch" Mitchell Mitch has been running for 38 years. During that time, he has completed numerous marathons, ultramarathons and triathlons. He has completed the Leadville 100 several times and paced in the Badwater Ultramarathon on the "old" course covering over 150 miles through Death Valley. Mitch joined TNT in 2006 after his mother-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma. |
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Thomas Santa Maria Thomas is a seasoned marathon runner, with over 200 marathons completed in his 30 years of running. He has completed the Boston Marathon 3 times and also represented the U.S. Air Force Marathon Team for three years, netting 2 Armed Forces Championships. Thomas serves on the Pikes Peak Road Runners Club Board of Directors and has been serving the running community of Colorado Springs for the past 20 years. Thomas runs and coaches in memory of his cousin who died of Leukemia in the mid 1960?s. |
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Andy Tatum Andy was diagnosed with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in January of 2008. Currently, he is a mentor for a Denver based organization called Colorado Youth at Risk. In October of 2008, two of his fellow mentors approached him and asked if he would be willing to coach them in their first marathon. Within weeks, his mini-training group grew to over 10 people from five different states. His experience as a marathon runner, youth mentor, volunteer and lymphoma patient have made him an ideal addition to our run/walk coaching staff. |
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Brett Kessler Brett began his collaboration with Team in Training in 2001 as a fundraising participant with the triathlon team. The next season he was asked to coach the tri team, which he did for six seasons. He did his first marathon in 2003 (again as a participant with Team in Training), completing the Chicago Marathon. He has since completed 3 road marathons, 5 trail marathons, 1 ultra- marathon, and 2 snowshoe marathons. |
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Stephon Cummings Stephon has been a participant, a team captain and now an assistant coach for Team In Training. In his everyday life, he is Community Resource Officer for Denver Juvenile Probation. His hobbies include: running, baking (ask me about my cupcakes!), sewing (yes, he sews), and cutting hair. |
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Khem Suthiwan Khem?s involvement with Team In Training began in the Winter of 2006 where she successfully completed the P.F. Chang?s Rock ?n? Roll Arizona Marathon in Phoenix, AZ. She was so touched by the experience that she had in Phoenix with Team In Training, that she kept training for marathons and was a mentor for other TNT events including the Mayor?s Marathon (Anchorage, AK) and Dublin Marathon (Ireland). Khem considers herself proof that with proper coaching, training and ongoing medical attention, a non-runner can turn into a successful endurance athlete. Since her first marathon with TNT, Khem has successfully completed a handful of marathons and half-marathons. |
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Rick Marlette Rick's experience with TNT started in 2004 when he began running (after a 30+ year layoff) on Saturday mornings with his future wife who was a TNT participant at the time. It was not until the Inspiration Dinner at the inaugural Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco that Rick began to fully appreciate everything that TNT stood for and represented. The event moved Rick so much that he decided to join TNT on the spot. He is now a proud owner of 3 Tiffany's necklaces (the finishers medal from the Nike Women's Marathon) and a finishers t-shirt which announces "I Ran Like A Girl." Needless to say, he has been involved with TNT ever since and is proud to be a 'middle of the packer' whether running or walking his events. |
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Ashley Pyles Ashley joined TNT as a triathlon participant in 2005-2006 after moving from Chicago, IL to Santa Cruz, CA. She was challenged with finding a community in a small town and searched for a progressive training group that had a mission and values ? she found Team In Training. After completing her first half ironman in 2006, Ashley became a mentor for the Nike Women?s Marathon and became motivated to sign up for many local triathlon races. She admits to catching the triathlon ?bug? and has now completed two Ironman races, has been lucky enough to race on Team BSA for the 2009 season and continued to pursue her commitment to TNT by coaching for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. |
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Tina Beebe Tina?s first Team in Training event was the Midnight Mayors Marathon and Half Marathon in Alaska. Since that time, she has also participated in the Nikes Women?s Marathon during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Tina believes that the best aspect of the TNT program, other than the amazing gift you are providing blood cancer patients and their families, is the fact that you are never alone - there is someone to help you! |
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Deanna Webster As a runner, the bulk of Deanna?s experience was in high school, when she ran year round and placed well state-wide in mile and cross-country competition. The next thing she knew, 20 years had passed and she had a husband, two kids finally in school and a need to get in shape and give back to the community?Team In Training ?found? her and continues to find her ready to face more challenges! |
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Mike Dunn Mike has been an endurance athlete for over 25 years, having competed in numerous short distance road and trail races, half and full marathons, short and long course triathlons, and an Ironman. He has seen his fair share of DNF?s (Did Not Finish), some as a result of equipment failure, and others where he just bonked! At the end of the day, whether he?s standing on the podium or hitching a ride in the sag wagon, he is content and thankful that he was able to compete. |
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Kelly Marzano Kelly began her running career on the junior high track team and fell in love with the sport or running immediately. She graduated to running a marathon in grad school several years later as a way to maintain her sanity, and has now run eight marathons (including one glorious year at Boston), completed two Ironman races, and participated in too many shorter distance races to count. Kelly loves sharing her love for running with beginner and seasoned athletes alike, and after being touched by lymphoma within her own family and watching her mom train for and reach her goal of racing her first triathlon with TNT, she brings alot to the TNT program. |
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Kirk Schuerman Kirk?s relationship with Team In Training began in February of 2004. He had been a distance runner in high school but along came college and work, and running took a semi-permanent back seat. In 2004 he found himself needing a challenge and he selected Team In Training to be his guide. That June, he successfully completed the Steamboat Marathon?and vowed never to run another one again. As of today, he?s added the Chicago and Denver Marathons, plus numerous half-marathons to his name. He spent three seasons as a Captain and was recently asked to come back in a coaching capacity. |
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Karen Voss Karen has been involved with TNT since January of 2006 and has since grown from a reluctant participant to a coach. She is the fearless leader of the Rocky Mountain TNT walk program and as such has taken several race walking technique classes. |
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Kristin Hanak Kristin joined Team In Training as a reformed couch potato in 2001 wondering herself if she could really take on this type of challenge. Nine years later, she can truly tell you, "Yes, you can walk a marathon or half marathon!" She has been in your shoes. Kristin?s advice is simply?"follow this journey by just working hard, putting your mind to it, and one foot in front of the other. Trust in your coaches and most of all in yourself. Keep visualizing your goal at the end of this journey?crossing the finish line." |
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Jennifer Lee Jennifer is a multi-sport athlete although she considers herself a runner first and foremost. She began her career as a runner in high school but began competing in cross-country mountain biking and cycle-cross events once out of college. After a move to Colorado she discovered a new interest in road cycling and quickly qualified to represent Colorado State University in the collegiate road national championships in 2001 and 2002. Always looking to try new things, Jennifer next dabbled in duathlons eventually qualifying to represent the United States in the Duathlon World Championships in 2002 and 2003. She finished as the 6th overall female in 2002 and was the 2nd female American finisher in 2003. In 2005, after coming back from a leg fracture, she ranked 3rd in the Colorado Runners' Magazine running series open women's division. Her coaching experience stretches from high school all the way up to present day as a coach for TNT. |
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Don Alvarez Don has worked in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, racquetball coach and club pro, massage therapist and running coach over the last 27 years. As a recreational athlete, he enjoys running, swimming, cycling, squash, racquetball, basketball and chasing just about anyone or anything to stay in shape. His goal is to get others interested in a healthy lifestyle and to participate in outdoor activities. |
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Danny Shea Danny holds a national running coach certification via the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and was a Health/Physical Education Teacher for over 10 years. He has coached thousands of youth and adults about the intricacies and benefits of running/fitness, and takes great pride in guiding people towards bettering themselves and helping them fulfill their personal and athletic goals. He feels a particular connection to novice runners, as he love observing their excitement after accomplishing something he/she first thought unattainable. When he runs, he thinks about his dad who died of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. |
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Becky Gilray Becky began running in 2005, so when she received the TNT flyer in early 2006 she was a bit hesitant. She had lost a friend in middle school to leukemia and her sister?s brother-in-law had just been diagnosed with CML so she went to her first info meeting and was so impressed with the energy of the TNT staff and the mission that she signed up and completed her first marathon (RNR San Diego 2006) and fell in LOVE! Since then she has completed 12 marathons, numerous halfs, 15Ks, 10Ks, 5Ks and even a 51.5 miler. Becky came to Rocky Mountain after having been coaching with the Oklahoma Chapter since 2007. We are so excited to have her knowledge and enthusiasm at Rocky Mountain! |
Cycle Program
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Alicia Johnson Alicia is a multi-season and dual-chapter alumnus of the TNT cycle program. Her claim to fame is that she did not even own a bike when she signed up for her first season of TNT with the Georgia chapter. Now, with several seasons of coaching under her belt, she brings the unique 'past-participant' knowledge to her role as a coach. |
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Dale Aggen As a survivor of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Dale is deeply committed to the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a former USCF licensed cyclist, the love for cycling runs deep in his blood. Dale first became involved with TNT in 2005 and has since served as a Team Hero, Mentor and in 2009 he officially joined our coaching staff for our newly added Colorado Springs region. |
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Ben Schultz Ben discovered TNT while attending an LLS sponsored patient support group with his wife in 2003 (his wife Kari is a two-time survivor of Hodgkin?s Disease). Having never run more than a mile, Ben & Kari completed their first marathon crossing the finish line together (San Diego Rock ?n Roll 2003). Since then Ben has stayed involved with TNT as a participant, captain, and mentor, completing another 4 marathons, a few half marathons, two Half Ironman triathlons, a number of shorter triathlons and one century ride. He has also coached two seasons for the Colorado Springs run/walk team and is excited to now help coach other TNT participants and share his knowledge and passion for cycling. |
Triathlon Program
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Charles "Charley" Perez Charley comes to TNT with a variety of experience. He has helped incorporate physical education programs into daily teaching programs through the Peace Corps, he has worked as an elementary school counselor, a psychotherapist, a protective services social caseworker, a mental health clinical supervisor and has taught at two accredited universities. In spite of his full schedule, he has always found time to dedicate himself to his true passion - competitive running. He competed in high school and college track and cross-country, he completed the Boston Marathon in 1982, he has earned multiple awards and National Championships, he has completed multiple Sprint, Olympic and Half-Ironman distance triathlons and in 2003 qualified for the Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii where he finished second in his age group and was the only American in the top 5. In addition, he has received honors from Inside Triathlon Magazine on more than one occasion. |
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Mary Carey Mary began her coaching career in 2001 as a marathon and triathlon coach for TNT with the Dallas, Texas chapter. She has been instrumental in teaching clinics on the biomechanics of running, how to buy the correct pair of running shoes and on technical wear and gear for running and triathlons. Specializing in beginner athletes, her goal is to help people realize their fitness dreams through endurance sports. On her own resume, Mary has completed three full Ironman triathlons, 12 Half-Ironman triathlons and too many Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons to keep count. |
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Justin Ensign Justin joins the Denver Metro coaching staff after joining as a participant in 2006 and returning as a mentor in 2007 for the short course teams. Along with his passion for the sport, Justin also brings a degree in Kinesiology, a minor in Biology and his work as a part-time personal trainer to the job. While his true passion is cycling, he especially enjoys working with newcomers on their swimming. Over the years, he has completed his first century ride along with countless Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons. |
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Nicole Drummer Nicole has been involved in the TNT program since 2006. As a self-admitted "adult onset athlete," Nicole did not start training in sports until she was 20-years old. Before she began her involvement with triathlon training, she was a taekwondo athlete. She has achieved her 2nd degree black belt through the American Taekwondo Association, she was an instructor for several years, she has competed in numerous tournaments, including the ATA World Championships in 1999 and 2001 (finishing both seasons ranked in the top 10) and after moving to Colorado Springs in 2004 she trained and earned another black belt through the World Taekwondo Federation. Since becoming hooked on triathlons, which she now considers to be her primary sport, she has completed numerous running races from 5K to half marathon, multiple Sprint and Half-Ironman distance triathlons and even a few duathlons to keep things interesting. |
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Kim Matz Kim brings a wealth of swimming knowledge to our triathlon coaching staff. She has been involved with swimming for over 20 years, training both on the collegiate and national levels. Kim currently works for USA Swimming as the Health & Lifestyle Consultant as a part of the National Team Performance Support staff. She supports national team athletes by providing nutritional consultations, analysis of blood results and organizes their sports medicine programs. After completing her first marathon with TNT in 2008 she knew that TNT would be a part of her life for years to come. |
Hike and Snowshoe Programs
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Zoe Katsulos Zoe is a professional guide and educator in outdoor skills and adventure travel. Her work in outdoor adventure includes rock climbing, hiking, snowshoe and ski outings, backpacking and camping with both youth and adults. She has worked with a number of organizations with at-risk youth and extensively with adults in the Colorado Mountain Club and Women's Wilderness Institute. She is an active hiker, climber, backpacker, mountaineer and backcountry skier and has been with the hike program since its inception in 2005. |
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Mike Vigil Mike became involved in the TNT Hike program in 2007 when his sister was diagnosed and treated for lymphoma. Watching his sister battle cancer, he felt helpless and found TNT to be an excellent way to give back. Mike grew up enjoying the outdoors with his family camping, fishing and hunting. His love of the outdoors continued after college and grew into backpacking and hiking. He joined our hike coaching staff in 2008 and has been an asset ever since. |
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Cristy Garthright Cristy joined the Hike program as a participant back in 2007 to be social and to meet new people. While hiking Half Dome in Yosemite that season, she knew she was hooked. Over the years, Cristy has come back as a mentor and trail captain and finally signed on as a coach in the fall of 2009. Her strong hiking abilities, previous participant experience and love for the outdoors has made her a wonderful addition to our hike coaching staff. |
