One final note, now that the season has wrapped up... five months of training and fundraising; blood, sweat and tears left out on the trail (and in the pool); injury and insult... but race day came and went and it was great (even if the swim portion of the race was cancelled due to unsafe conditions).

Thank you all for being with me on this journey, for supporting my training efforts, and for helping me to raise $3250 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society... I couldn't have done it without you.

Just two more days til race day... Loading up the car tonight after work and heading to Philly. I've got a touch of the "squirrel brain" at the moment... still need to pack phone charger, bike shoes & helmet and water bottles... must stop checking the water quality website because it's freaking me out (still says "not suitable for activities involving direct contact with the river")... noticed a few dead flies on the dash, should have cleaned the car... did I pack my race confirmation already, or did I misplace it? guess I'll print it again just in case... don't forget to get gas on the way home... should i pack water from home, or just buy some when i get there... how many honeystingers is too many? maybe i'll just pack two more to be sure.

i can do this... i can do this.. i can do this...

i have biked more than the race distance. i have run more than the race distance. and i have swum more than the race distance (both in the pool, and in the lake last Sunday)... now i have just got to put it all together.

I CAN do this!

so, i've had a week off training because i had an accident last Monday. how's that for timing? after being so elated from my Sunday night swim, i was feeling totally invigorated and enthusiastic and raring to go with the next few weeks of training.

no, i did not get hit by a car, or fall off my bike. i did not trip over a root on the trail, or have a close encounter with a snake in the lake (yeah, freaked me out when i learned there are snakes hanging out in the lake)....

i injured myself whilst out walking.

as a result, i missed out on the best open water swim of the year! but, i got to document the efforts of my amazing teammates... so proud of them.

Tonight I swam a mile for the first time in my life. In 4 weeks time, I will complete my first triathlon. I finally believe that is possible....

I am so enormously grateful for the support and guidance of the awesome Team In Training coaches. I would never have got to this point without them.

Yesterday was a big day... we had a 2 hour training ride in Prince William Forest (read "very hilly") followed by a short run. And then we learned how to change the rear tire... greasy dirty work, my friends!

Last night was my wine party fundraiser, so after training I rushed home to finish food prep and tidy up the house... We had a slightly smaller than expected turn out, but it was a great time! And together we raised $440 for LLS... so it was a great success!

Thank you to everyone who joined us... and we hope to see you next year at the third annual edition!