Enjoy your sleep while you can.

"Enjoy your sleep while you can," said Tara, my past TNT mentor. In her 3rd year as a TNT participant, she's training for the HALF-IRONMAN... that's 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and 13.1 run... i think i'll stick with the "wimpy" olympic legnth race for now :-)

So... next week it begins. Kick-off party is on Wednesday night, and then the summer season starts. Last year i was excited - i remember cancelling plans because it was so important to get to my first swim session. How do i feel this year?? nervous.

Don't get me wrong -- i have amazing memories of my triathlon training experience from last year -- and many of the huge challenges i faced are faaaar behind me -- no more 5-floors of stairs to hike up with my bike slung over my shoulder... but i won't forget for a second the exhausting schedule that training entails -- up at 7:?? (earlier?) every Saturday, tough runs in the park on tuesday nights, running from work to get to practice, and late night swim sessions. Training is exhausting -- physically and mentally.

But, when i think back on it all, it's so rewarding. I'm excited to do the triathlon this year right here in NEW YORK CITY!! a city that i've grown to love. I'm excited to train with a HUGE team of about 200 participants -- think how many new friendships i have yet to make. I'm excited to be a mentor -- an inspiration to new triathletes, and a shoulder to lean on. I'm excited for the NEW ME that has grown and adjusted to the city in the last year. I'm excited for that feeling of crossing the finish line, feeling like "let's do that again!!!"

But most of all, i'm excited to jump in that yummy Hudson River water ...