COUNTDOWN TO RACEDAY 25 Days 2 Hrs 46 Mins 23

In 25 days I'm doing a Triathlon. 

In 25 days I'm doing a TRIATHLON.

IN 25 DAYS I'M DOING A TRIATHLON!

Holy crap. 

I'm doing the LA Triathlon sprint distance which is a .4 mile swim in Venice Beach (still terrified of seaweed but I'm getting better with it), a 14 mile bike ride from Venice Beach to Downtown LA, then a 3.1 mile run. 
I've been training all summer and have even done a mock triathlon. In some ways I feel like I'm ready for this, but in some ways I feel like I need more time! At this point in my training I feel like the only thing that I can improve on is just my endurance and swimming, my biking and running are set. 

When I started this blog I was just starting out running, and sometimes I feel like I still am. But in hopefully 25 days + 6 hours I'll be a triathlete. 

I'm excited to try something new, even if the thought of the whole thing makes me want to cry. 
I wouldn't be anywhere close to competing in Triathlon if it wasn't for the amazing people I train with. Everyone I've met with Train 4 Autism has been so supportive - they are an amazing group of athletes and I cant wait to share another memory with them. 


All this training has taught me that I need to cherish the journey no matter where it's taking me. 

The one where I became an Island Boost Ambassador!

Have you heard of Island Boost? I'll be honest, I hadn't until last year when I ran the SoCal Wine Country Women’s Half Marathon and they were the on course support. After that I looked up the company a little more, bought a little more and used it a little more during my races during the year and the best part was it was something that didn't make me feel sick after taking it. I am very food texture sensitive. I don't like apple sauce, cottage cheese, soup, textures freak me out. I've tried the different brands of gels and they always make me gag, and honestly that's the last thing that I needed to worry about when I was running, I have enough running issues as is!

Here is a brief F.A.Q. about Island Boost:


Will Island Boost upset my stomach like other products: 

No, it shouldn't but everyone's body is different. Chances are it will NOT and you will feel great after taking it.

Is Island Boost super thick like other gels?

NO - That is one thing that I personally LOVE about it! It's a liquid! No more gagging over gels!

Are there any allergens in Island Boost?

Island Boost uses coconut water and the Aspire flavor has strawberry juice in it. Island Boost does NOT use any wheat, corn or soy products.

I'm a vegan, can I use Island Boost?

Island Boost IS vegan so vegans can enjoy it as well!

I want to try Island Boost, where can I get it?

You can purchase it online at REI or Road Runner Sports and have it delivered to you. 

Do I get paid for telling you about Island Boost?

Nope. Not a dime. I applied to be an Island Boost ambassador when Laura announced it because it's a product that I use and believe in. Being "new" to running and all the products that are out there I was overwhelmed to find out what would work for ME. By chance I came across this product and believe that it can work for many people. I know there are other people out there who loves the gels and the tastes of them, and there's nothing wrong with that. But that's not me. I also know that there are other people who have the same issues I do and want something that is gentle on their stomach, won't make them gag or have to take with water (and is EASY to open!) and this may be that product for them.

What I will do for Laura as an Island Boost Ambassador is spread the word about Island Boost, bring brand awareness, volunteer with my fellow Ambassadors at expos and races to help other athletes enjoy the same benefits that we do. 

If you were wondering what Island Boost packaging looks like below is my order from REI that I picked up last weekend.

Should I tri?

I haven't talked about it much, but I ran the LA Marathon Charity Relay with Train 4 Autism. My husbands coworker/boss/mountain biking friend runs with them and he got us involved as well. I had never ran ANY part of the LA Marathon and it was an experience in itself. The relay was weird. I got up to run, and then sat stood around for 5+ hours waiting for the start, we want to do it again next year but switch legs, I do the first part and he does the second. Then in 2015 I might run it all myself, but that's getting way ahead of myself. With Train 4 Autism it was a different experience, in a good way - I met some GREAT people.

Here's the group that was doing the relay, we were all waiting at the 13 mile point for our partners, but had time to kill - so we got coffee. 

(The Husband and I post relay....I did not feel good in this picture, he on the other hand had finished 3 hours earlier and had a beer or two while waiting.)

While waiting for the shuttle I started talking to Jeanine. She's kinda awesome, we wish we lived closer so that we could run/workout together. While on the bus we got on the subject of something I never thought of even attempting.

Jeanine and I on the bus (and Ben the Train 4 Autism Founder behind us)

A Triathlon.

She planted a seed. Then she told a couple of other people she planted the seed. She's kind of an evil woman, but still awesome.

The seed she planted was for this tricarson .

It's the shortest distance, it's reverse, swimming use to be one of my strengths. I haven't swam laps in years though. Swimming in an ocean would scare me because of my irrational fear of seaweed. But this swim is in a pool.

A few weeks ago, Katie over at Moms Little Running Buddy (it's a cute site and she gives good advice) re-posted an older post of hers about Triathlons. It's like she was reading my mind. You can read her post about it here. The thing that stood out to me the most from her post was this:

Finally, what if I get halfway in and want to give up or wonder what I have gotten myself into. 

Guess what, you wouldn't be the first to think that.  I distinctly remember that moment where I wondered why I was doing this but I did it anyway and am soo glad I did.  It's an addicting feeling that you'll never regret.  Pain only last for a short time, that feeling of accomplishment lasts forever.  Suck it up!  You'll get through it.  If it makes you feel any better, one time, I actually had to walk my bike on a course.  It was extremely hilly and my legs just wouldn't do it.  No matter what you'll finish and you might even meet some amazing people along the way.  

That stuck with me. I've talked on here before about my fear, I'm afraid of pushing myself. I know it stems for issues from my childhood that will take lots of therapy and time to deal with and neither of which I have the time or desire to do at this point in my life.

Train 4 Autism starts their Triathlon training in May.  So the biggest question I'm facing now is this something I want to do? Will it help me get over my fear of pushing myself? Sometimes I just wish I could get over these fears and be the awesome person that I know I can be.

Excuses, Expectations & Fear

I'm full of all three.

I want to run in the mornings - but I'm too tired and it's too cold. I start a new job next week so my hours will change. I'll be able to run after work again (which I LOVED!). But that excuse of starting a new job next week is stopping me from running today. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?

I want to run next months LA Marathon Relay (I'm running with Train 4 Autism - awesome people & group if you want to donate to my team Cassie & Scot Train 4 Autism page ) in under 2:50. Can I do it? Yes, I can. If I put in the work. Will I do it? That is the question.

I want to see results, but I don't want to put in too much work. If I don't put in the work my time won't improve. I know this. I know what I need to do, but I keep coming up with excuses not to.

Which brings me to fear.

Fear is unfortunately running rampant in my life right now.

I have fear with running - I want to push myself but am scared of getting hurt. But how will I know what I can do if I don't push? What am I waiting for? Why can't I push myself now? Why do I keep holding back? I KNOW I can go faster then I do, yet I'm afraid to be uncomfortable.

I'm also living with fear. A few weeks ago my house was broken in to while my husband and I were both at work. I came home and found the back door broken. I called 911 and they searched the house to make sure there was no one in it. Stuff was dumped out everywhere - dressers, desks, closets, wine cabinet. All that was stolen was electronics and feeling safe in my house. We've taken measures to protect our house, but I'm still trying to get over my fear of leaving the house. We are going to adopt a dog soon, which I know will help.

Maybe what I'm trying to say is - I need to let go of the excuses and the fear if I want my expectations to become reality. There's no reason I can't be a faster runner. There's no reason I can't wake up earlier to work out. There's no reason I shouldn't feel safe in my own house. Once I let go on my excuses and fear I will be in a better place.