Almost committed in Philly

Here's how I got here:

Spent high school and college at or near elite level athlete (rowing).  Got 80-100hr week job and stopped working out/exercising.  Got slightly more sane job and started at least working out some again.  Got married.  Had a kid. Stopped.  Started again.  Moved from NYC to Philly and had another kid.  Stopped.  Started again.  Had another kid.  Stopped.  Just truned 35 and basically have decided that I need something tangible to shoot for to keep my exercise program more consistent and have decided to try a tri.  Don't like running enough (much at all really) to just do that and wanted to get into swimming to use more upper body.  (It was my search for some swimming help that actually led me to discover this site.)

I have now been to my local Y to swim 3x since getting some goggles for my B-day and realized that while I could easily survive in water, it may help to actually know the techniques for swimming efficiently to get through more than a few laps without drowning.  I am planning on taking some lessons there soon to improve on this.

I am comfortable on a bike and am not too concerned about this leg--just have to worry about integrating it into the whole (i.e., don't blow out my legs before the run).

I need to buy some running shoes before I even start here.  (part of registering here and writing this down is to make sure I go do it)  I am about 6'3" and 210lbs.  As I was about 197 in peak physical condition, running has never been one of my favorite activities (I doubt I will ever "look" like a runner).  Unless or until that changes, ironmans are not in my plans.

Over the fall &winter, I want to start getting into a training routine and gradually ramp up the work I can do in both the swim and run in particular.  My goal is to do a sprint and/or olympic tri next season.  Hopefully get down to around college weight (maybe even below since I'm sure I've lost muscle mass since then) and stay there.  Oh yeah, and have some fun.

John