I am awed and inspired by all of you triathletes. I keep toying with the idea of investigating the sport, but I am intimidated, and worried about my knees, too.

I love to bike, and used to be a swimmer, so I am not worried about those (except for biking speeds...I am slow...8 hours for a flat century). But, I ran too much in college and have a game knee. I have not run since (I am 41). The knee works well for walking, swimming, and cycling, but I worry about trying running again.

Also, I really wonder how I could do the amount of training you all seem to do. I find that I require a lot of recovery time now that I am in my 40s.

A friend of mine has done an Ironman distance triathlon within the time (she is in her 50s), and she tells me that she walked all but 6 miles of the run. For me, a triathlon would be all about finishing for my own satisfaction. I am not a fast athlete.

What would you all tell me?