Should I TRI it?

I've been an athlete all my life. I've always loved it. Dodge ball in elementary? - sometimes that was more exciting than Christmas day for this girl. Turkey Trot? - bring it on.  Four square? - challenge accepted. Team sports were especially my thing growing up. I played basketball through junior high, but my true and first love was soccer. Remember those little girls idolizing Mia Hamm, Brandy Chastain, Joy Fawcett (my personal favorite) and Julie Foudy back in 1999? That was so totally me. I got way into soccer which led me to a spot where by the time I was about 13 I definitely wasn't going to let anything stand in my way of playing. Therefore that became a huge focus of my whole life. It really shaped who I am, brought me lifelong friendships I still enjoy, taught me to work hard and a million other life lessons. I eventually ended up playing at Utah State University (loved it!). Also along the way I fell in love with exercise. "My name is Ellen Irion and I am addicted to endorphins". I love to push myself and get out of my comfort zone. To have goals that seem just a little bit too lofty and out of reach; because then when I reach them it feels GREAT!
Through all those years playing soccer and being so focused on that year round there was a passion/goal building inside me. One of those things that you say "ya one day I'll definitely get into that" - well the day has arrived! For me the sport I would always say that about was TRIATHLON.
And now in the last 6 months or so I've decided to really go for it with Triathlon.

I bought my first road bike back in July (an older Trek model from KSL Classifieds) and signed up for my first Sprint triathlon. I talked to a few friends that are experienced for advice, read all sorts of things online and more than anything I swam swam swam.
I did that sprint the first week of October and it was SO FUN! People talk about catching the triathlon "bug"...I feel like I caught it years ago but now it's in full force!

Now fast forward to winter 2014. The goal is set. I've chosen a race (and some leading up to it), given them my money and blocked out the date....Half Ironman Boise June 7th here I come!!

1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run.
I'm totally new at this. But hey, I'm going to TRI it.
Sure I've done a lot of endurance training in the past...but I am definitely a beginner at this sport. So this blog will be where I document my trainings, struggles, triumphs, lessons learned etc etc...

Ready or not, here we go!