brand new triathlete! and new BT

Wow, it's amazing to say it, but I really did it. 12 weeks ago, I couldn't swim 25 meters without gasping for breath. 12 weeks ago, I dusted off my 1981 Miyata 10 speed (couldn't get all the rust off)--it was sitting in dad's garage. Saturday, Sept 29, was pretty much my biggest physical (and mental) accomplishment since completing the Big Sur Marathon 6 years ago. Run, no problem, but swim? So I trained with a great group of women and learned to swim Total Immersion style. My biking background consisted of spin classes at the gym 2x a week for the past year that I am totally addicted to. And I would run about 3 miles twice a week. I know, that's it? But during our 12 weeks of training, we met 3x a week. Track workout (speed intervals) one night. Swim training one night ( I was basically learning to swim while everyone else did tons of challenging things--see I don't even know what they were doing). And then on our Saturdays we met for long hilly bike rides and brick workouts of every type. And even though I felt fairly good swimming by the end, I was still somewhat fearful for the swim in a lake. We had practiced open water 4x and each time, I felt like I couldn't get air into my lungs. But on Sat, those 400 yards went by so amazingly easily! I did have to rest on my back a few times but it was okay. And my "clunker" bike carried me well and darn fast! I did my run in 7:30/mi mostly because I saw the one woman who passed me on the bike up ahead of me and I wanted to see if I could catch up. Anyhow, I did, and passed her and then there was the finish line! What joy! It was so much fun. The rest of my teammates were there or finishing and it was really a big party. I can't wait to do another one, and build up my swimming over the winter. This site is really great. I have been lurking a bit but learning alot.

thanks for listening all,

kim from sf