Even for fitness enthusiasts, a triathlon is a pretty big deal – the execution of 3 sports (usually a swim, bike and run) to complete one event is more than a little daunting.  When news that the World’s Kindest/Mindful Triathlon, Wanderlust 108, was coming to Los Angeles, I was both intimidated and intrigued by what this unique event promoting mindfulness.  Athlete or not, mindfulness is beneficial to everyone.  Wanderlust was kind enough to allow me to attend their event and I’m thrilled to share the experience of my first triathlon!

Wanderlust 108

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So what is Wanderlust 108 – A Mindful Triathlon?

Wanderlust 108, Run.Yoga.Meditation, The Kind Triathlon, Mindful Triathlon

Wanderlust are producers of the largest lifestyle events in the world and their mission is to produce transformational experiences while building a community of mindful living with Yoga Festivals, Teacher Training and Studios

Wanderlust 108 is special day-long outdoor triathlon of mindfulness featuring: 

a 5K run/walk

Wanderlust 108, run

a 60 minute yoga session

Wanderlust Yoga,

and

a 30 minute meditation/lecture.  

Wanderlust Meditation

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What is the significance of the number 108?

The number “108” is well revered in yoga as representing the wholeness of existence – it has been said that the average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters.    There are 108 beads on a mala (0r prayer bracelet) and there are supposedly 108 sacred sites on the body and throughout the country of India.

The significance of the Wanderlust 108 is simpler and translated as:

1 = unity, 0 = stillness/calmness and 8 = infinite possibility.

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Who should attend Wanderlust 108?

Anyone interested in health, wellness and a sense of adventure.

You don’t need to be an athlete or yogi to enjoy Wanderlust 108.

Truth be told, about 98% of attendees are women.  The vibe surrounding the event is wellness of mind, body and spirit.  There’s no competitive spirit or need to compare yourself to anyone else, it’s just a day of goodness.

I was lucky enough to have two lovely ladies join me in Los Angeles –  Julie@JulieGoesHealthy and Carrie@FamilyFitnessFood to make my day out an even more special one.  Wanderlust 108 is a great excuse for a Girls Day Out.

Wanderlust, FamilyFitnessFood, JulieGoesHealthy

Me with Julie and Carrie.

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What can you expect at Wanderlust 108?

Wanderlust 108 schedule

It’s an all day affair for the Wanderlust 108 event.

Check In & Bag Check

The long lines at check-in moved quickly and efficiently.  Check-in allows you to confirm your schedule (Run then Yoga or Yoga then Run; everyone does meditation together), get running bib number (a sticker – I’ve never seen that before) and a small gift from Wanderlust (a very cute orange and white kerchief that can be worn many ways) and a gorgeous Journal.

Wanderlust Journal

 

Since it’s advised that you bring your own yoga mat, sunscreen, reusable water bottle, jacket/wrap and snacks, you’ll likely have a bag with you.  The bag check area was monitored by staff during the entire event so there’s no need to worry about what you’ll do with your stuff during the run.

Browse Kula Market

If you have time between check in and your first event, you can check out the sponsor tents of the Kula Market.

You can check out clothing by Spiritual Gangster and Athleta (they had cool flash tattoos as well), admire or buy some new jewelry, try some healthy food from Luvo or Kashi, up your yoga accessories game with Manduka (they were giving mini yoga pose consultations – they helped me with some core strengthening ones for my back injury) and/or check out the Wanderlust booth (for books, accessories and clothing).

Wanderlust108SG

WanderlustManduka

Wanderlust is all about being green – they even had a station to refill water bottles (which I thought was brilliant).  I do wish that they had more food for purchase though (samples weren’t enough).

Wanderlust 108, water station

Activity Structure: Run or Yoga – Break – Yoga or Run – Break – Meditation:

Our first event was the 5K on the beach.  Yes, on the sand.  It was an out and back run (or walk) with water offered at the turnaround point.  Don’t expect fan fare or a medal at the finish – there wasn’t even defined finish line (which didn’t bother me but it was a little anticlimactic).  One half of the attendees participate in the 5K while the other half go to their yoga session.

Wanderlust 108, Run, Yoga, Meditation

Break #1:  If you’re walking the 5K, you might not have a long break in between your first and second event.  Even though there were many food vendors at the Santa Monica Pier, there wasn’t really enough time to stand on line, make a purchase and eat/drink.  The samples offered by vendors weren’t really enough to sustain post 5K/pre-yoga session.  Tip:  Bring food.

Next, was the 90 minute yoga session started by MC Yogi and completed by Tiffany Cruikshank.  An outdoor yoga session with a large group of people on a beautiful day overlooking the ocean is hard to beat.  It was a gorgeous day – sunny with a bit of a breeze but there was definitely the air of camaraderie and community that makes yoga wonderful.  Yoga outdoors is transcendent.

MC Yogi started the session with some call and response “What do we want?” “World Peace” and it set the mood.  MC Yogi won me over not only with his smooth voice that eased everyone into a slow flow but when he played a version Spandau Ballet’s “True” and asked the crowd if they remembered that song, I’m certain he was talking to me.

The yoga flow was then taken over by well known yoga teacher, Tiffany Cruikshank.  While Tiffany did challenge the attendees with one pretty difficult pose, the rest of the sequence was easily accessible for even the most beginner of yogis.

Break #2: Relaxation:  There wasn’t really enough time to go and get something to eat so we refilled water bottles, ate a few snacks (that we brought) and enjoyed the outdoor breeze.

Wanderlust 108 mat

Meditation:  The 30 minute meditation session was led by Noah Levine of the Against The Stream Buddhist Meditation Society in Los Angeles.  For some reason, this was the section of the day that I found it hard to hear the speaker (the amusement rides seemed louder and the tourists checking out the event via the perimeter were more plentiful than at other points in the day).  However, it was great to feel the wind, the sun and just be.  Taking the time to be mindful and enjoy some “not busy” time was a blissful way to end the day.

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How do I find out more about Wanderlust events including Wanderlust 108?

Wanderlust produces weekend long Festivals and day long 108 events all over the US, Canada and Australia this year.  You can find out details about Wanderlust Festivals and Wanderlust 108 here.

Wanderlust also has 3 yoga studios (Squaw Valley, CA, Montreal, Canada and Austin, TX) but they are opening Wanderlust Hollywood (California) in Summer 2015:

Wanderlust Hollywood, Yoga, California


I enjoyed this day long event tremendously and I’m really looking forward to the opening of Wanderlust Hollywood!  If you have a Festival or a 108 event happening near you, I highly recommend it!

Disclosure:  I was so intrigued by this event that I reached out to Wanderlust and offered my services as a health and wellness blogger.  I was given a complimentary registration to the Wanderlust 108 Los Angeles but all opinions expressed here are absolutely my own.