Thanks. I've been snorkeling (though back in '01) and open water never scared me. Then again, I wasn't with a lot of people intent on being faster than me.

So I guess my question is this. Can a person who isn't swim conditioned swim 1/2 mile?

I think when I tried to practice, I was stressed and trying to prove something so I was moving my arms and legs as quickly as I could. BIG mistake!

Part of me wants to wuss out of this but then how could I justify the wetsuit purchase? And the clothing purchases? And...everything else

I used to run competitively and racing makes me nervous. So this is not a race. I just need to keep saying that. Would I be as intimidated by a group of friends meeting up to do a simulated tri?