On the surface, Ross Kinney is your everyday, hardworking father of two.
But that's just one side of this couch potato turned super athlete who has raised more than $35,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training.
In the last five years, Ross Kinney has participated in eleven Team in Training events - five marathons, three half marathons, one Olympic distance triathlon and two century rides. He's come a long way since his couch potato days. Ross says he couldn't run 100 yards when he first joined Team in Training.

"This just came along at a good time in my life. I was a middle aged male looking for a larger purpose in my life. I got a flyer in the mail and something about the program intrigued me, so I went to an informational meeting and signed up on the spot that night. Little did I realize that the decision was about to change my life forever."

And change it did. Ross is now the only Colorado TNT member to complete the Triple Crown, an award given to an athlete who finishes a marathon, a century ride and a triathlon.

"It was never a goal of mine to complete the Triple Crown, but it was something that just kind of happened. I developed a chronic running injury in 2002 and I wanted to stay active in the program, so I signed up to do the Olympic distance triathlon event." After the triathlon, Kinney's nagging injury kept him away from marathon training, so he signed up for a century ride instead. "It just sort of evolved during the process of recovering from a long term running injury."

Now Kinney says he can't believe how much running has changed his life. "I remember the first day I ran a sub-10 minute mile. I felt like I had won an Olympic medal. That was such an accomplishment for where I had started as a runner.

"Running has evoked so many positive changes in my life and even though I am firmly in the middle of the back of the pack, I enjoy running as much or more than those that are much more gifted than I am as a runner. "

Kinney believes that running and participating in the Team in Training program has not just helped him get fit, but also has given him the confidence to do things that he wouldn't have dared to do before. "It has really helped me with my career. I am much more comfortable speaking in public. It has also helped me deepen my relationship with my wife and children. I was kind of on the edge of corporate burnout and becoming a work-a-holic. TNT helped me to refocus my priorities on what matters most."

Kinney admits that finding the time to train can be difficult, between a demanding schedule at work and at home. "I have two active teenagers that have lots of after school and weekend activities. Training for a marathon requires discipline and you just have to set some time aside to stick to your training. My wife and kids have been very supportive and understanding of the time and commitment it takes to do this."

He admits that most of his motivation comes from the personal connection he has with Kelly, his patient honoree from his first season with TNT in 1999. "She is someone that I consider to be a role model in my life and is a constant source of inspiration. Kelly is why I am still involved with TNT after five years. I had promised Kelly when she relapsed in January, 2001 that I would keep running for her as long as she needed me."

Some runners may shy away from fundraising groups like Team in Training because they're worried that it's tough to find the money. Kinney admits that he was worried too when he signed up. "The first season I fundraised, I didn't think I would be able to meet the minimum, which was $2,800 in 1999. But I was able to raise $7,405 for that event. I even had one of my colleagues at my office helping me fundraise away from work. I think in the first week after I sent out my letters I had over $1,100."

Kinney hopes that worries about fundraising won't deter runners from finding out more about running groups like Team in Training. "It gives you a chance to give something back to others. It really is a life-altering experience and I consider it the greatest thing I could have done in my life."

Photo - Ross Kinney dances with Kelly, his leukemia and lymphoma patient honoree.