Good Lord, girl. You've got the "tenacity" thing working for you! Have you checked out the YMCA or OP Park district pools? You might could get in some lap swimming there. (Isn't that a funny turn of phrase, "might could"? No idea where I picked that one up.)

For inspiration, make sure to read my race report up in ... Race Reports. It could be titled "Last Out Of the Water, But Not Last To Finish". L.