Training for a Tri

Motivation is very important to keeping me on track with my exercise habits. As motivation, a few of my co-workers and I are planning to participate in a triathlon in October. I have never done anything like this, so I am very excited and motivated to do this. We are doing this for fun and for motivation to stay fit rather than for the competition. The triathlon have two different options:

1. Olympic Distance Tri: 1.5K swim; 40K bike; 10K run
2. Express Tri: 400m; 13.5K bike; 4K run
   

We will have several relay teams of 2 or 3 people. Right now I am definitely planning to run and I am debating whether or not to cycle as well. I know I can definitely do the running part. I will have to work myself up to cycling if I take that part on. That would mean doing 2 parts of the triathlon and if I were to do that I would have to do the Express Tri. What I do know is that I cannot do an entire triathlon; simply because I barely know how to swim.

When I was a little girl, I almost drowned and so I never really learned how to swim. So I have a little bit of a fear. I am not afraid of water or getting into the water. I actually love being in the water and going to the beach and the river, but I am not too keen on the deep end or not knowing or being able to see the bottom. I have learned a lot about my limitations and how to get around those limitations. Like snorkeling in Hawaii, we had floaties which helped me. Plus, the fins really help as well. When we go to the river, I usually go into the water and hold on to the boat or wear a life jacket if I need to.

Someday, I would love to learn to swim to be a capable and confident swimmer. Maybe even someday participate in a full triathlon. I did take adult swimming lessons a couple of years ago and so I do know some of the basics, but I do truly need more lessons to become proficient. This is one of my life goals. I really envy people who can just jump into the water without worrying about how deep the water is or looking for something to hold onto before getting into the water. One day, I will be a capable swimmer.