Give it to me straight

Plenty of time.  In fact, the shorter the time frame the better in my opinion.  I like to put myself in situations where if I train, there is no doubt I'll be able to finish, but if I slack, I'm completely screwed.  Nothing like a little healthy fear.  Figure out a realistic plan, type it up, put it on the fridge, and do it.  You won't regret it and you know it.

MO...train well but don't over train, taper a little and then on race day keep your HR low on the swim, don't let it get out of control on the bike and you'll have a good run and a great race.

Good Luck and Have Fun!

OK, you want the straight truth? You sound like many people that have big dreams, but who don't want to put forth the effort required for those dreams to become reality. You've got 9 weeks to prepare. That's plenty of time if you are committed to doing the necessary training. If you're just going to put a half-azzed effort into it, the best you can hope for is to suffer through and just finish. It's up to you.

Since you've done no recent training to speak of, it's difficult to provide advice on what you should do other than to take one of the BT plans and stick to it. If the swim is your main concern perhaps you should spend more time on that. However, at this point any training at all is more than what you've been doing, so it's all good.

Looking at your log, you have set high goals for swim/bike/run this year. Then instead of focusing on achieving these goals, you do stuff like softball, jetski, etc. which are fun but do nothing for your goals.

You don't have to suffer through any part of the race if you get busy. Now go have fun!

From your log:

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack
of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.
Vince Lombard

You've got a good amount of time to train but you're gonna have to get after it. It's often said that it takes 28 days to form a habit. You've got the time but you've got to ask yourself if you really want it. Get the plan from BT and start training TOMORROW. I don't know what you're capable of but if you make the most of the next 9 weeks you'll be able to do better then just finishing but you're going to have to make it a priority.

Best of luck, you can do this! 

You want to do it? Then take action, and remember, all you have to do is whatever is on the plate for that day. Think 9 weeks if you want--it's a relatively short period of time--but you can finish well if you focus on what you need to do TODAY. And it is totally doable.

The BT plans are great; pick one where you can REASONABLY do the prescribed workouts at the 9-week-prior mark. There is also a plan I used last year: http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingprograms/tno_10wOly.asp

The bike ramps up very quickly, though, so make sure to take those miles steady and easy.

Sure, you can do it.  It's going to hurt, but to be honest, I've never done an Oly that didn't hurt   They're supposed to hurt.

So go for it

Yea, what they said

Seriously, though, one of the best things you can do for yourself and your confidence is to get some swim lessons, learn and practice the drills, and ramp up to 1000 meters of OWS.  I suggest this because you already think you can handle the bike and the run, so let's get some confidence in that swim.

x2.  Don't all tris hurt?  All mine have so far!

to the OP.  get in the water now.  Swim your arse off (4x ~ 5x a week) would be good.  I think 1500M is the worse part of the race.  Of course, I'm a craptastic swimmer.....

It can be done, you just have to do the work. No more excuses.

The only way I've found to train around family obligations is "early to bed, early to rise." Get your @$$ out of bed 2 hrs. before everyone else. If that means getting up at 4 a.m., so be it. It sucks at first but you adapt. Plus you can always rely on us folks here for motivation.

Good luck and train hard.

Alright - thanks guys/gals for the input. Not exactly what I expected but definitely what I wanted to hear - I can still do this! I used to get up around 5 (to work - not train) and even after I quit working that job continued to get up early - but over the past couple of years - it has gotten harder & harder to get my !@# outta bed. Now I am usually pushin that snooze button until the last possible second. I know that it is just a habit - one I'd like to break. I do love my runs at night though.....guess it doesn't matter - as long as I do it - right?

You guys have me pretty pumped up today - it was nice to get up to your encouragements. I think I have found some focus.

I feel good......nanananana......I knew that I would.......nanananana......So good.......Hey - HEYY!!!

Thanks guys/gals.

I love these 2 sentences.  It's really just that simple.  I speak these very words to women everyday.  Couldn't agree more with you, D.Z.

 jenn

Time to HTFU and start getting up EARLY dude! If you get up early enough, you're still going to be running at NIGHT. I find the pre-dawn some of the most rewarding sessions...cause you know very few other people are out there doing it...except for the maniacs on this site of course.

Look at it this way, you only have to gruel for 9 weeks instead of the 12-16 on most of these plans. Do it, don't overdo it. Swim 3-5 days/wk, but ease the distance if your shoulder starts acting up (like mine does). If you have to break from one activity to to heal, focus on the others for a few days but you need to be out there 6 days/wk doing one or 2 of the three. IMHO...

I see that everyone is telling you that you can do it, which is true, but you need to have a plan and stick to it.  No excuses!  All this cheerleading will stick with you for only so long, and then its up to you to actually do the work.  As a runner, I see many people get pumped up to run a marathon and not follow through on the training.  Its like they start dreaming about the glory and don't realize the work they need to do and sacrifices they need to make. 

 I think the most important thing to focus on is the swim -- can you swim that distance?   Next is the bike -- get some long rides in every week.  In my opinion, the run should be lower on the priority list because you can always stop and walk if needed.  You definitely need to work on being able to do the distance for each of these legs.

 That said, good luck and hope you keep us posted on the training!