Thank you so much for all the encouraging messages everyone!! I am very determined to learn and am looking forward to it when i think about tkaing that first run into the water on my first tri! ...I will look for some private lessons...othersie i will join the adult swim at the local community centre when it opens again...ughh! It is good hear that so many have done this and made it through!! I think i just need to get over my own fear/embarresment (boy, that is a lethal mix isn't it??)