Progress Is...running happy and running well

Tonight I ran inside while Iz had swim practice. For the first time in a long time, I felt happy, positive, and could envision myself running the 3 miles after biking the 15 miles after swimming the 1/3 mile!!! Right now the bike has me most nervous...

I swam tonight after my run and had a coach watch me swim. She gave me a little feedback on technique and guess what...?? I am a pretty good swimmer! My stroke is strong and only needed a little tweaking. I am "sculling" and breathing well - am working now on bilateral breathing, which is coming pretty easily. Until tonight I did not know what sculling was, but apparently I do it naturally! Coach Kara is going to send me some training suggestions and meet with me in a few weeks to watch my stroke and give me some more tips. She has done open water swims and the swim leg of TRIs before so she gave me some tips on what to expect in the ocean.

My fundraising!! So excited - up to $851.00 tonight. Thanks Kitty.

Here's a poll question for you - please let me know your thoughts....one of the TRI coordinators told us at the transition clinic NOT TO LISTEN TO IPods during the run. Her position is that this will be one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I should not take away from the experience by having music blaring in my ears. She says I will be "into myself" and will miss the experience of camaraderie with fellow runners and the support and cheering of the crowd of people on the route. I'm not sure I buy it. I listened to my IPod during the B2B and was able to hear all the cheers and I enjoyed seeing the posters, hearing the music, getting hosed off by spectators. I felt like I was living in the moment each of the 6.2 miles...I felt like I had a great experience and I was also able to listen to music that inspired me, kept me moving and got me smiling...
...to listen to music or not....please weigh in. I'm curious what you all would do. And, assuming I do break all the rules (per my usual MO), I will need some kick ass music to load on my IPod, still looking for some suggestions. Bring 'em on.