New to the whole thing: Seattle Danskin

[Brina]

You mean to tell me that pool noodles weren't designed solely for hitting each other (and maybe the odd sword fight)???

actually, they are very good for blowing water at people!

[KnottedYet]

For the Seattle Danskin, at least, the noodles are held by the Swim Angels. The Angels line the swim course. If you get tired or need help, they will swim over to you and you can hang onto a pool noodle for a while. But you CANNOT swim away with the noodle. They are for resting only, and only if you have an Angel with you.

Somewhere in the registration stuff I read it said you couldn't have a floatation aid in the race and if you couldn't swim unassisted you couldn't be in that leg of the race. So I'm gonna putt-putt in a big ol' floaty wetsuit!

And Sally Edwards makes sure that she comes in last on every leg. What a babe!

[Running Mommy]

why not just have kayaks like all the other races?? You can grab the kayak for a break, just make no forward progress... - USAT rules..
Now I see why I've never done a danskin, and prolly never will... A little too touchy feely for me. "swim angels"??? Oh please. I guess it works for some people, and if it gets someone off the couch and on the course, then I think that's great. I'm just not that "girlie" I suppose??
Don't get me wrong. I'm not snubbing my nose at those just starting out and/ or not really sure of themselves.
I did my first tri weighing in at 200 lbs, I certainly looked like anything BUT a triathlete. I remember those days well, and I struggled through my first race. It was ugly for sure. And I even have the video footage to prove it!
Like I said, I dunno... It seems so... umm... touchy feely girlie like??
Like the time I was struggling BIG TIME up this super steep hill. Tony was talking me through it, telling me I could do it, to stay loose, spin, etc... Well he made the mistake of putting his hand on my back and giving me a push up the hill.
If I could have reached his groin he would have been one unhappy man! ha ha
I gave him a whack and proceeded to berate him for treating me like a wimpy girl- as if I wasn't strong enough to do it on my own... I guess if there is one thing I hate, it's people trying to give me a break because they don't believe I'm strong enough to do it on my own.. Does that make sense??
Anyway, like I said... I'm all for getting people out there and bringing them into the triathlon world. The more the merrier!! It just doesn't seem like my cup of tea. But hey, that's what makes this world go round... We all march to a different drum.

[KnottedYet]

Hey, it's getting me out there for my first tri. I'm scared, frankly. Hopefully this will launch me into doing more things that I'm afraid of/lack confidence for. Like a "real" tri! Longer bike rides! Travelling by myself!

I think the Danskin has a big focus on cancer survivors and first-timers. I know I feel better knowing that there will be official types in kayaks and volunteers with noodles, even though I seriously doubt I will need them.

And I'm not embarrassed to admit that I like all the advice and support and training help offered by Team Survivor and the Danskin. I need that touchy-feely girlie stuff just to get me out there. I don't know anyone who's done a tri, don't have anyone to do it with me, and am a chicken sh!t wimp who's finally pulling her head out of her @$$ and doing something she thought she'd NEVER do. Ever. Not even on my radar as a possiblity.

And I'm not dead yet. That's the most important thing, more important than Swim Angels and pool noodles. I'm not f*cking dead yet, so I'm gonna do whatever appeals to me, cuz I may never get the chance again. Noodles or not.

[Running Mommy]

Well glad your putting yourself out there. It does take guts. I mean most people would never step out of their comfy box. I give you big kudos for that.
Sounds like you are a survivor? no??
Well FWIW I am also a 2 time cancer survivor. I ran my 3rd marathon in 02 while still in recovery and grossly over weight from the depression I had sunk into. Most cancer patients lose weight- I gained it! UGH!
Anyway, have a good race and have fun. You will do great! It's amazing what our bodies can do when our mind lets us!

[btchance]

I guess if there is one thing I hate, it's people trying to give me a break because they don't believe I'm strong enough to do it on my own.. Does that make sense??
Anyway, like I said... I'm all for getting people out there and bringing them into the triathlon world. The more the merrier!! It just doesn't seem like my cup of tea. But hey, that's what makes this world go round... We all march to a different drum.

That completely makes sense to me. Tell me I can't do something, and I'll just about kill myself to do it!! Doesn't matter if it's athletic, academic, or fixing something around the house or car. It will get done if I have anything to say about it. (hmm, maybe that's from having so many older brothers and wanting to do everything they did)