Am I nuts?

[OakLeaf]

Well, I'm not sure how much use my input is, but then on the other hand, every time I ask something like "should I run a half marathon," all the Ironwomen and ultra runners chime in with "oh no problem." So maybe a little perspective from the shallow end of the pool...

I did a sprint tri on a lark last summer (0.75k/20k/5k). Up until three weeks before the event I hadn't swum for distance since 1977 - had barely swum at all.

I could do the distance in the pool the first time I tried, and although the event was in open water, it was in very shallow calm water. So I didn't even worry about "efficient" swimming - that would've taken me a whole lot longer to learn anyway - although I did spend a couple of sessions doing the first couple of drills in the Total Immersion DVD.

Yep, I was so jacked up that I wound up breast-stroking at least a third of the swim, maybe more, just so I could breathe. Dog paddling might've been quicker. But so? I didn't drown. I didn't panic as some people do in open water. I didn't win, but I wasn't expecting to. (Although I still grit my teeth a little bit over the 23 seconds by which I missed third place in AG. )

I did the whole thing in sport top and bike shorts. I tested a couple of likely pairs of shorts ahead of time, by wearing them into the shower - if the chamois doesn't take up gallons of water, and the fabric doesn't get too saggy, they'll work for a sprint distance. In cooler weather you'll want to put something on top for the bike/run, but a lot of people do that anyway for modesty's sake. Just have it ready in T1. If it's really cold you could always leave your swim cap on for warmth.

And oh yeah, I had to buy a swimsuit to train for it. You'll be fine.