Carrie,
You used to go on the HM thread, right?
I'm also preparing for my first Tri and swimming is my main concern. Never seriously swam in open waters, but I plan to try it before the race.
This shouldn't stop you either. You'll get through it, there will be plenty of people around and anyway, the swim will be 15-20 minutes, then it's over and you can focus on the rest!
Chris

Hmmm......great swimmer, in good shape, great runner, ride bike for fun, just NOW thinking of doing a Tri? My only question is:

What took so long??????

Sign up for a sprint. You'll fall in love and cross over to the dark side.

Don't worry about the swim.....I am not big on swimming in lakes as I am a little freaked over what is in the water below....but once you are in the water, the adrenaline takes over and you are so focused you have no time to worry.....it's great fun, really!

Go girl! If I can do this (we shall see...), so can you.

So, like, I had plantar fasciitis and started swimming because I couldn't run. I can't even do flip turns -- I just swim, that's all, pokey slow.

I drive to a nearby town to watch a sprint tri -- 500y swim, 12 mile bike ride, 5K run. What did I see? People like me, not even doing flip turns, hanging on to the end of the pool gasping for breath at the end of a lap, big people, skinny people, young and old....all having a goofy good time.

And I thought "heh. I could do this." So I went home and signed up for a sprint tri in 2 weeks (no, er, that's 10 days). On zero bike training. I'll ride my mountain bike -- no clippy pedals or anything. I ordered a trisuit in the mail (hey, if I'm slow, at least I can have fast transitions!). I'm ready, baby!

Sorry to go on & on. Main message is...why not?! Go, have fun!

Renee

This is so cool ... sharing the excitement of a first tri ... AMAZING, isn't it?

Go for it - you will love it! Good luck!

Sally

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"Follow your bliss"
My Ironwoman Inklings[/URL" target="_blank">

quote:<HR>Originally posted by cocarrie:
Thanks for the replies and support!

The one I am thinking about is the Danskin Women's Tri because I understand that it is very beginner friendly and supposedly not too intimidating. My goal would be just to do it for fun - to finish.. because it's getting to be tennis season and that's really my main big thing. I still will run in the mornings and get in a few gym sessions a week where I can swim but I don't see myself getting too serious about it since I'm pretty slow to begin with. Just thinking it might be something new and fun to try. Thanks again for the encouragement!
Carrie

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Danskin is a good beginner friendly tri as is Tri for the Cure in August. Just make sure you get some open water swims in before the race. Boulder res and Chatfield are good places to train. Good luck!

Hey Carrie,

I say go for it. I just finished my 1st Tri about two weeks ago and I haven't done anything but think about my next one since.

I don't have a swimming background at all, in fact I just started swimming six months ago. Like you, I was intimidated by the thought of an open water swim. I got myself a wetsuit and tested the open water a few times before the race and I was relieved to find that it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.

The race it's self was absolute madness at the start and even though I had heard stories, I wasn't quite prepared for the chaos. The good thing was that within a few minutes, every thing settled down and I was able to get into a decent rhythm.

With your swimming background I would think you would do great in the water. .

Good Luck!

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-Stu[/URL" target="_blank">