One New Jerseyan on Oct. 14 will be half a world away, accomplishing a dream, while most of us are fast asleep. 

For triathletes, it’s the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii.

Oakland's Mary Ellen Loranger is headed to the biggest and baddest triathlon there is.

"I am beyond excited to race at this race,” says Loranger. “Not even thinking about grueling race, just thinking about getting to the starting line."

The race is a two and a half mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride through broiling lava fields and then running a marathon. 

Loranger has finished the distance before, so she's confident.

The key is getting the training in when you have a full time job and kids.

"It's time management to the umpteenth degree,” says Loranger. “I represent the everyday woman who has to wake up at 4 doing this for everyone who said I don't think I can do this."

Loranger is an ambassador for the Women for Tri Organization. The group strives to get women involved in triathlons. They chose her to compete in Hawaii. 

Loranger has a bunch of hometown businesses sponsoring her trip. 

She also has about 800 fellow triathletes rooting for her on a New Jersey triathlete community facebook page she started.