Beginner swimming advice from beginner swimmer :)

Alright, we all know that swimming isn't easy to just pick up and start doing. This point has been made over and over again here for good reason. I have spent the last month trying to figure the swimming thing out... not to mention everything else dealing with triathlons.

So here is a little background on me. I decided to take the plunge, I want to be a triathlete! I got a new bike, some good running shoes, heart monitor, etc.. I was ready.. Oh, but what about swimming?! Of course I decided to sign up for the olympic distance for my first triathlon. Yeah... the mile swim thing really didn't "sink" in until I first got into the pool. Wow, was I disappointed! I have always been active, I am in good shape. I can run 10K at a reasonable pace. Why the heck can't I even swim 25 yards without feeling like I am going to die?! Honestly! I couldn't do one length of the pool.

That was one month ago.

Today, I just whipped out 850 yds. Not all at once mind you, but I did do two sets of 200 yds straight without stopping. It blew my mind! I had to stop and take it all in. When I was finished I knew I had to come back here and give my .02 cents and hopefully help someone who might be struggling.

Here is what I did, and it really is quite simple..

1. Learned as much as I could from people here and other sources on the net. Hear what helped them, ask questions!

2. Got a visual aid, specifically the Total Immersion Freestyle Made Easy DVD. Really helped me out to visualize what the heck everyone is talking about.

3. Purchased a "real" swimsuit. Some speedo jammers... a new experience for me. Even though it wasn't true, they made me feel like I was a swimmer

4. Here is what really did it for me. Keep positive!!! Never ever let yourself convince yourself that you will not be able to do it! Every time I felt frustrated I would tell my self, "yeah, you almost got it... it's there, you can do it."

5. Once I got into the right state of mind, it clicked. You know, what people say about swimming... "One day it just.. Clicked". They way it clicked for me was I stopped thinking about getting to the other side. I just thought about the zen of it and just slowed EVERYTHING down. I was always out of breath because I wasn't allowing my body to relax. Forget time, forget the dude/chick next lane over thats whipping laps out like mad. It's just you and the water.

Just be patient but persistent! You will be proud once you get it.. I am and I still have a loooooong way to go!

I'd also like to thank all of you who have been giving advice. I have read and benefited from many of your comments and it has helped me immensely. Keep it up! I look forward to giving back! My tri is July 20th. I can't wait!