I got it into my mind to do a triathlon and have set my sights on the Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon on August 19. I've also signed up for another triathlon with a 300m pool swim as a lead up to the Iron Girl.

I started running in October and have been posting nearly continuous improvement each time out but last week I experienced right ankle pain after running. I didn't knowingly twist it or anything so I figure I had an overuse injury. I did the R.I.C.E. therapy and ibuprofen and also added Superfeet green insoles to my running shoes. I did my first run today and have not had any ankle pain. However, halfway into my run I started feeling like the insole was cutting into my right foot on the inside of the arch, Now I have a blister and don't know what to do about my shoes or insoles.

I went to the pool in November and discovered that I'm a poorer swimmer than I had thought. I found a swim coach and started weekly sessions with her in December. She has me using fins to improve my kick. I feel speedy with them on but rolling to breathe feels like a major effort and I often get tired and lose my coordination. Without the fins I feel like I'm barely moving. We took two weeks off over the holidays and were scheduled to swim this last Wednesday. However, she's in the hospital and probably won't get back to coaching for a few weeks. I went to swim anyway on Wednesday and feel like I lost almost everything I had learned. I've become completely unnerved about being able to do the swims.

I've got 6 and 7 months until my events, but right now, between the swimming and my foot/running problem, I'm feeling like Iron Girl (or any Triathlon) is a crazy dream and that I've wasted my money on entry feels and equipment.

How to I regain some confidence?