So I met the swim coach that I go to on T & Th (it is a group tri swim practice). He does OW swims. Instead of swimming w/ my S.O. (and comfort buddy) I was with others. I get so self conscious. I was relating my feeling about being so slow in the swim and expecting to come out of the water last as when I was a child and was always picked last when picking teams. Who wanted the short, slow gal?

Well it was a rough start. I just had problems sighting and was very self conscious of the person helping me (she had been a "swim angel" recently). The first "distance" I felt for sure that I was going to cancel and not do the tri. I get so worked up. I was almost (ok, more than almost) in tears. But after we did it a couple more times and I got more determined...it was better. So I am still doing it. It is such a mental thing. Once I KNOW I can swim the distance then I feel ok...no matter how slow. So for my Tri it is almost like I need to go out and do my warm up by just about swimming the whole thing.

Thanks to all for the words of encouragement and all the other first timers posting race reports.

I think the other thing I notice is that the tri community is the most welcoming and supportive community. I noticed it when I first did some duathlons. Everyone is so happy you are there and supportive and say "good job" etc. Then you read these posts ... again love and support. And last night, Dawn...the coaching assistant that walked while I swam...and she keep saying words of encouragement and said "see you will have no problem". Sure beats being picked last for the kickball team at age 6 and 7, etc.

Thanks all!
(yes, I am very emotional this week...not sure why and it is NOT PMS!)