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.

A Year in Review....but not really

Towards the beginning of the month I saw so many blog posts of people I follow on twitter recapping the 2012 year and all their running. I thought about doing that, but I realized this year that running led me to something deeper.

Running opened up a whole new world for me - a world that I didn't know would exist within my world. I stepped outside my comfort zone many times this year. From cheering on random people at the Disneyland Half (and making a sign for random strangers and hoping to SEE random "strangers" (@runlikeacoyote & Teal and Beth from @Lifeisarun), dressing up in costume at a half marathon, making a Got Chocolate Milk video and asking people to vote on it, to actually talking to Dorothy from @MilesPosts in Vegas (while there was a print out of the magazine cover she was on to our right). It wasn't just people that I met (or hope to meet - Lisa (@runlikeacoyote) and I will both be running the same half in January and one of my goals is to meet her in person!). It was the things I've learned, both about myself and running.

I learned a lot about myself this year. I learned that I don't like getting up in the morning to run before work because it's cold, but I love the feeling after. I discovered the greatness that are Pro Compression socks (and FINALLY no blisters!). I've learned that even though its one of the hardest things to do that I LOVE trail running. I've learned that other peoples running adventures have shaped mine, even if they don't know it - I've read their blogs, tweets, etc and those people have proved to me that it can be done if you believe in yourself. I've learned that I really like running, and proving people wrong. I've learned that I need to stop doubting myself. I've learned that there are limits with everything, except running. I've also learned that the only limits I have when it comes to running are the ones that I put on myself. In 2013 I plan on pushing myself even further outside my comfort zone and past those limits.