I didn't swim well either when I signed up for my first triathlon, I knew how to swim (meaning I didn't sink much) but had never swam laps. 3 weeks before my first tri I got in the pool and barely did one lap. Luckily, the first race I signed up for was a 250 yd pool swim, so I just focused on getting through the 5 laps. I did it, although very slow.

3 years later I can swim distance but am still slow. I did a HIM last year and this year am training for the full IM. I keep telling myself if I get through the swim I will be all set :-)


The one thing I wish I did was get instruction earlier, I just started doing coached workouts this winter to improve my form so I can get faster, the problem is now I have all these bad habits that I need to break.

So, no your not nuts - you have plenty of time between now and October to prepare and no one really cares how fast or not you are.

I do warm you, that it is addicting.