don't stop believin'... hold on to that feelin'

It simply AMAZES me that we are less than 50 days out. I remember starting this journey with 150+ days, no money in the donation pot and what seemed like a million miles to go. And just because I've come so far doesn't mean I still don't have my moments - whether that's catching some nasty bugs swimming in the lakes, taking the occasional bruise to the shin/arm/thigh because of a misstep in the pool/on the bike, or completely losing it in the middle of the Pacific Ocean during an open water swim. 

Yes, that's right... that was ME crying into my goggles, sputtering salt water while the Venice Beach waves pounded my swim-capped head and rocked my wetsuit-ed body last Saturday. And why the sudden flood of emotion, you ask? Maybe it's because for one brief moment in time, as I saw everyone (even the supposedly "slow" swimmers) passing me, I was reminded of that fat kid deep inside. The one that got picked on, knocked around and shot down. And it hurt. More then any of my miraculously in-shape and camera-ready tri buddies will EVER understand.

But suddenly I realized WHERE I was - In the middle of the g#d-d*%! 50 degree ocean, swimming miles before heading out for more miles of running, raising money to help FIGHT CANCER, and ultimately a happier & healthier person then I had been in a LONG time (regardless of what the stupid scale and my muscle/fat ratio may say). So I sucked back my tears, threw my head and my hands back in the water, reminded myself of just how far I had come and finished it out.

So, yes, I know it's a cheesy song. It's been overplayed in everything from dingy bars, to Dodger's games to Glee and back again, and sometimes it seems to have lost a little bit of the soul and determination that Journey brought to it almost 30 years ago. But the crazy part is, it's still a pretty good reminder on life. And no matter how many times you've heard it, it still feels good to belt it out at the top of your lungs... whether you're on a dance floor at prom or in the middle of the Pacific.

Today's Jam: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey (Escape 1981)

Tri this Emotion: Totally tubular

Special Props Go Out To: My favorite SD Papa Dugan, "You Got Raymied AGAIN" Chavez, the Sensational Sel Hatch. my AOPi loves Teresa & Sheri and all the fabulous crazy 80s peeps that attended the Do-Over Prom on 5/7... thanks for one AMAZING night!

The Be-All End-All Attitude: Some will win and some will lose... but at least I'm playing the game.