Training for my 1st Tri O.o

I never considered myself as an individual who liked to exercise. I was a skinny teen (same height 155lbs), didnt play sports and was pretty lazy. LOL I grew older, married and started to see a lil belly forming. That was when I was about 6' 180. I am now 36 sitting at 200lbs

Two months ago I was 220lbs. My shirts were not fitting right, my back was bothering me and I felt like my face was a moon or something. LOL I joined a really nice gym in the area because I know they have pools and some great cardio equipment. I never really knew how to swim so I looked on youtube to learn. (I tell people that and always get a laugh but it is the truth.) I worked myself up to a mile now as I was swimming everyday. Lost 20lbs doing so.

anyway, I was looking online a couple weeks ago and came across some sprint triathlons which I never heard of before. I always associated triathlon with a full ironman as I didnt know the difference. I was so excited to see the shorter distances! I knew I had to try one out and started searching for a race and a training program.

I will be in my 1st sprint tri Oct 10, 2009 and am following a 11 week program which I had to start off in the 3rd week. It is going well so far. I think the hardest part for me will be the run as I tend to get shin splints when I 1st start running. I am trying to stretch well, have some new shoes with support and am taking it slow. I know I can swim 1/3 mile but am kind of nervous swimming with others. This particular race gives a 3 second start for each racer to better space it out. I am not the fastest swimmer so I am sure I will have people climbing over my head. lol My last resort will be the breast stroke. I have done this for a mile nonstop several times in the recent past.

Glad to be here!!