Newbie from SE Michigan

Welcome Nick!  There's a great group from SE Michigan here!  A bunch of us met up for a ride a couple of weeks ago out at Kensington and everyone was really terrific.  I am new to Triathons myself and everyone here has been very welcoming, supportive and helpful.  You will get a lot of good information. 

There are a bunch of Masters swim programs around if you are interested in picking up your swimming.  However, if you are brand new to swimming I would suggest lessons first.  Technique is hugely important.  You can swim much farther and faster with less effort if you have the stroke down.  Sorry, swimming is my sport so I love to talk about it!  Anyway, welcome to BT!!!

Nick,

Masters swimming is ran through USMS.  It is an organized swimming programs for adults.  The benefit to me is that I get really bored swimming laps on my own.  I swam with a Masters group this summer and the guy coaching us is a collegiate coach.  He was great at helping us improve our technique and endurance and the variety in the workouts was fabulous!  The group ranged from a couple of ladies who never swam regularly before to a few people who were on college teams.  I hear that some of the teams are a little pickier about letting people join who are beginners but I am sure you can call or e-mail around some of the local teams and find one that you would fit in.  Here's the link to Michigan Masters:  http://www.michiganmasters.com/   Just click on Teams/Clubs to pull up a list to find the teams in your area.

If you decide not to join a team, the next best thing would be to find a website or a book with a list of different workouts to do and information on improving your stroke.  If you just go out and do 1000 meters every time you swim you may give up out of boredom and you may not improve as much.

Sorry if this is too much information.  I am a huge advocate of swimming so this is the one area I feel a bit qualified to talk about.  As for biking and running...I'm on the other side of the fence - always looking for help and tips!

Good Luck!  And feel free to PM me if you have any questions!

Wowser...welcome to you and CCR...SE Michigan has BT'ers scattered far and wide.  A smattering include Trixie, GLF33, Fromer, Smokeeater1833, mitrigirl, me (rkreuser), kcavagnolo, nleidel, rennick, grillmaster, czarjenny, and a few others.  I would suggest running a search on 'Michigan' in the newbie forum and you can see who all posted, welcoming the new Michiganders...

Best of luck with the training, enjoy BT as a resource and community, and hope your training goes well.

PS.  CCR - Trixie is running the Legislator Du on Sunday.  I'll let her know that you'll be there, maybe you could catch up with your first in-person BT'er!!