Brave enough to commit

Welcome Rosalie - 55 ay? A mere kid I would suggest looking carefully through the sprint programs Ron has posted - maybe the "couch to sprint" if that's where you are. As for the swim - if there's any way you can make a Total Immersion weekend swim camp, I would recommend that. I've signed up for one in Chicago in Feb. For sure get the book and video at: http://www.totalimmersion.net Keep checkin in - theres lots of encouragement and lots of help here.

I agree that you should at least get the TI book, and I find that it is important to get in the water and work on breathing and stroke technique. It will most likley take you a little time to relax and enjoy the swim, but don't give up.

I don't know much about 'total immersion' haven't used it, but I would concur with others who recommend attending a swim camp, or visiting your local pool and having some one on one coaching sessions, then after each session you can go away and work on your stroke.
Swimming is really great because it won't put extra stress on your bones like running or cycling will, perhaps you will come to love it? The more time you spend in the pool, the more confident and enjoyable swimming will become.

By the way I think you are really great, very inspiring, get your kids to help you as well, make it a family affair!

Total Immersion IS great, but the biggest thing is to get in the water.

When I started training for an IronMan, I was in good shape, but hadn't been in a pool in 15 years. First day, I was panting after each lap. I'm sure there are techniques you need to learn, but just keep at it, and you'll get a feel for the water. For me, the key was learning how to breathe out in the water. Simple, really, but I never had done it.

The thing to remember about the swim is, most of us are not out there to win the race. heck, most of us are just trying to get through the swim to get to the rest of the race. TAKE YOUR TIME. Really, even in a "sprint" does it matter if you do the swim in 10 minutes or 20?

One popular option is to find a masters swim club in your area. These are people ranging in age from post-college to post-retirement, and they're usually very willing to help you out. Plus, having a group to meet up with often makes it easier to get to the pool.

One more thing to consider is whether you want to wear a wetsuit. Not surfing or scuba-diving wetsuits, mind you, but swim-specific suits that are designed to make you faster. (There are many tri shops around that will rent one for the day. Or, buy one for one of your kids, then borrow it!). Now, the key for us slow swimmers is not that they make us faster, but that they make us swim better. Most land-lubbers sink in the water, while good swimmers float. How do they do that? I don't know, since I can't either. (Actually, it has to do with balance, pressing your "bouy", swimming downhill, etc., but it's tough to remember all that). A swimming wetsuit is very bouyant, and pretty much lifts you into a good swimming position. Then it's just a question of smooth, easy propulsion. Take your time, and you'll get there.

For me, the biggest benefit of a wetsuit is CONFIDENCE. I'm not a great swimmer. And to do an Iron-distance race, you're gonna be pretty far out from shore. When I wear a wetsuit, I know that I'm gonna float. Worse comes to worst, I'll take a few breathers, but I know I can just relax, swing my arms around, and eventually I'll get there.

Sounds to me like you're going to be pretty well prepared for this. If you've been biking all your life, you're ready for that. You mentioned a possible foot injury, so I like your plan of running as little as possible. If you can bike 15-20 miles, you can run 2 in your sleep. Rule-of-thumb I've read is that swimming is 3x harder than running, which is 3x harder than biking. So, running 2 is like biking 6, and you can do that.

As for the swim - I bet you'll be fine with just a little confidence. You've got plenty of time to train. Try a masters group, or grab Total Immersion. Get in the pool once or twice a week, and by June you'll be a swimming sensation. In 6 months, swimming might be your best discipline. BTW - even though I'm a slow swimmer, it is now my favorite part of a triathlon. I love getting in that cold water (in a warm wetsuit), knowing that it might take a while, but I can go as far as I want.

Good luck!

Don't worry about the swim. Just get in the pool and put in the time and you'll be able to finish it. I did my first tri when I was 18, way back in 1983. 'Twas a half Ironman, no such thing as an olympic or sprint way back then. Being a foolish kid I was severely undertrained. Spent three months during the summer after high school graduation training sort of, mostly biking since this is what I enjoyed. I was in no way ready for the swim, so I just breast stroked most of it. Took me forever, something like 1:30. I can swim 4k in that time now. There were only 2-3 people behind me after the swim. Passed a lot of people on the bike though and I finished, was a great experience. Anyway the point is worst case you can breast stroke or side stroke the swim if you have to. Just get in the pool and work yourself up to and beyond the distance and soon the 1/4 mile will be like nothing. Taking a few lessons or joining a masters program or a swim class at the local JC would be a good idea if you can fit it in too. Swimming is by far the most technique oriented of the 3 events. I know you'll do great. Good luck and have fun.
JD

When I first started triathlon training, I had zero swimming experience this was when I was 24/25.... Luckily, I had my dad come in 2x a week to help me out- problem was he was teaching me the way it was popular when he was a young lad- this have changed, I learned the super hard way. SO, word of advice, a swim class or masters group is the best way to go- you'll get up to date coaching and support commoraderie [or however you spell that word].

I agree, having been a land athlete for the majority of my life, breathing was the trickiest thing to remember to do. I started at being able to "swim" 10m with out choking. It's all about practice and dedication.

ABout the foot problem- good idea to keep running to a minimum. At the time of training for my first tri, I was rehabbing a torn meniscus [knee cartilage]. I got myself running to 2.5 miles w/o knee pain... and I kept it there. The running portion that I needed was a little over 4 miles. Bottom line, I was able to finish the run portion w/o any knee pain problems.

In summary- practice the swimming a lot [wetsuit is great for floating- you'll get more confidence/better form], do lots of biking [if you can take a spin class, you'll build up quad muscles/cardo-vascular endurance] and minimize running [as much as your foot can handle, don't push it to a pain point]. Lots of luck- you've already taken the first step!

To my new tri-friends: Oh my gosh! I had no idea I'd get so much email. What great advice from everyone and such encouragement! Thank you all so much. You're so positive with your 'can-do' attitudes! The wetsuit is a great idea. And I truly appreciate the advice of getting in the water and just swimming and swimming and swimming to gain comfort and endurance. My daughter can help me with technique as she is a great swimmer.

I just found out that before I do the mini-tri (as I call it) with swimming in the lake - there's one with swimming in a pool two weeks before. Cool, huh? So my new first tri date is June 19th!!~~~~ (">) (">) (">).

For the other triathlon, my adult kids are going to do the one ahead of mine that's a bit longer, then they're going to do mine with my husband and I!! It will truly be a family affair. My husband is a fish in water (an ex CoastGuardsman). He's going to stay with me for the swim, if I smoke him in the cycling, I'll wait for him . Then we'll do the run and finish together. I am soo excited. My goal is just what some of you said: 'to finish, happily and healthfully!"

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!!

Thank you so much for your encouragment! I think you are totally right - just get in the pool and swim to gain comfort and relax. If the 1/4 mile passes as you say, that would be just awesome! Thanks again.

R

OK 50+, I bow in AWE to you lady! Best of luck to you! Kathy

Amazing! I would LOVE to get my mother to do triathlons!! Maybe I'll send her your link! You are very inspiring.

As to the swim question. I started my tri's with almost no swim experience. The only thing I could say was that I knew how to float and I had a dog-paddle version of the freestyle stroke (as I did not like to get my head wet, or better stated, did not know how to keep water out of my nose!!)

I took a lap swimming course at a junior college that was taught be the swim coach. Completely amazing. She was great and really taught me great tools for swimming AND it was only 7 dollars for the 1/2 unit class!! Can't beat that. On top of that, I've read up on swimming techniques--but it seemed like it was the same drills and things that she was showing us.

Check it out!

All the best to you!

Dana

that's sooo funny, 'cuz I'd love to get my KIDS to do them too!