Thank you SO much for your votes of confidence and warm welcomes.

Between everyone on TE and DH, I am really excited about this new adventure. DH is leaving triathlon articles on my desk at home and saying things like "You need a wetsuit!" and "You need clothes!" LOL!

The wetsuit idea I wasn't so crazy about because I really thought I wanted to rent one first. However, now DH is suggesting that we do some open water swims together (once I'm actually swimming) and the water around here definitely requires a wetsuit. When he was trying to get comfortable in open water (after his first open water freakout in his first triathlon where he ended up doing a lot of the swim on his back), we rented a kayak and I paddled around while he swam. The thing is that I can see me really enjoying swimming even if I didn't do any triathlons. I have always loved the water and used to be big into windsurfing (until we moved to where the windsurfing isn't so good). So, maybe a wetsuit is a good idea. I'll have to think about it.

I agree I do need some tri shorts and a top. I went to try some on today and they were pretty darn cute. I didn't buy them, though, because I read on a website that the Zoot items aren't good in chlorine.

My second swimming lesson was today and it went great! I felt a lot more comfortable in the water already, and we got through Zipper Switch. Even better was that I was beginning to get a feel for how my body moved in the water and how moving my hand or head position or using more or less hip rotation can really change things. I plan to practice tomorrow, take Monday off from the pool, and then I have my third lesson on Tuesday.

Alpinerabbit, I agree that getting the proper technique is a long term project and that there are likely lots of refinements along the way. I sure don't expect to be perfect after 10 lessons. The good news is that if I'm not swimming after 10 lessons, my coach will continue with lessons for as long as it takes for only the price of the pool rental ($10). I like that he has that kind of confidence in his teaching abilities.

After my swimming lesson this morning, we took the dogs for a nice long walk, and then we went for a bike ride (short, only about an hour and a half), and then I did a very short 15 minute run just to see what that felt like after biking. I had so much fun! I told DH it was a Quadrathon because of the added dog walk leg.

There is a pool triathlon in mid-August that is about half an hour from home. The "standard" division does a 400 yard swim and the "novice" division does a 200 yard swim. I'm thinking that might be a good first event for me. Then, maybe I can do an open water swim in September, like Colby suggested.

P.S. to TriGirl. Yes, Mr. Alex IS a madman. His first tri was an Olympic distance race. He did several more of those in the next few months and then did an Iron distance race 6 months after his first tri. The race he selected is known as the toughest Iron distance race in North America. Then, he proceeded to do a total of 7 Iron distance races in 2 years. Yeah, 2 years. And, no, I have no plans to replicate that feat!

P.S. to MDHillSlug. I LOVE that shirt!

P.S. to Running Mommy. We were at IMAZ in 2006 and 2007 and I actually read your reports back then. I think you are more than a "wee bit inspiring!"

Alex