Thank you all for your words of wisdom and support.
I did get in the pool today. I had to stop between each link,
but I completed about 8. My friend/swim coach said she
was pleasantly surprised by my form for a first-timer. She
said she thought I would be much worse from what I had
said. She helped me make some small improvements in
my form and I was way faster just by doing those things. I
still haven't gotten the stroke down, obviously, but I am
going to try to do 20 minutes or so twice a week for a few
months and then continue on. I don't have a ton of time, as
I teach 4-6 fitness classes a week and run 3 times per week.
But, I feel that since I am doing all of this other training
(often running 30 minutes and then biking for 45, etc) it
wouldn't hurt to throw in the swimming so the training will
be easier in the long run- no pun intended.

Regardless, I am going to give this a shot. I will shoot for
a sprint to begin with. A mile swim in open water just isn't
my thing right now. I will certainly do open water before
ever signing up for an event, too. I live in a lake community,
so that part is pretty easy.

Breathing is the hardest part right now. I tend to hold my
breath for about 3 strokes and by then I am panting and
gasping when I come up. I forget to breathe because I am
focusing so much on my form and technique (I think way
too much). I know that comes with time.

THANKS, again! I will keep you posted over the next few
weeks.