Should I do it???

[Running Mommy]

Ok all you ladies who tri- and even those who don't...
I think I need a little kick in the pants! My cousin is doing the Solana beach sprint at the end of the month. I had told her I would do it, but since then I've been slacking!
The swim is an ocean swim, and while it's only a measly 1/4 mile- it's still an ocean swim. And here's the thing... I have swam a whopping TWO TIMES since IMAZ in April!!
I know I could handle it easily if it were in a lake, but the ocean has my weenie side coming out in me. I used to surf, so I know all too well about the tides pulling you, and how much harder it is to swim in an ocean..
So whaddya think?? Should I do it anyway? Buck up and be a woMAN, suck it up buttercup etc. or should I just bail on this one??
I just have this feeling that if I bail I'm going to feel like a total loser weenie. But then I keep thinking about that swim.... sigh...
I just don't know???

BTW- I think miss PREVOST was suppose to do this race as well... hmmm....
In fact I think we heard about it from HER!!

[KSH]

Well, I guess I am going to put myself in your shoes.

I would do it, only if I could get in enough swims to get my endurance back up before the tri.

Additionally, I would probably want to get an ocean swim in before the tri as well.

Even having been a competitve swimmer and with the swim being my strongest event, I know that I lose my endurance if I haven't swam in awhile, and I am scared of swimming in the ocean.

I have a sprint tri in September, and because of my bike wreck, and needing to let my shoulder stop hurting... I won't be able to swim until about a month out, and that is making me nervous.

But, keep in mind, all of that is just me. I'm also the gal who won't do a tri because I refuse to walk the run portion.

I am sure you could make it through the swim... you might not be the "freshest"... but if you are OK with that... then why not go do it?

As we all know... a huge portion of this sport is mental... and you have to mentally be "in it" to be successful. Which means you need to start thinking you can do that swim.

Good luck deciding!

[Lise]

Hey RM! Great to see you here!

I say, Do It. Get in the ocean once or twice if you can, get in the pool a few times a week if you can. But do it to remember the joy of triathloning. It'll be hard, yes, but it's not IM. It'll be over before you know it, and you'll be soaking up the energy from check in to finish line.

Enjoy and tell us all about it! L.

[Tri Girl]

I vote for you to do it RM! Heck, you're iron- a sprint will seem like nothing compared to what you did in April. The ocean can be a bit intimidating, but don't let it worry you. You used to surf, so you know you can be in the ocean and be fine. Get some practice swims in, and don't worry too much about it. You know you can go the distance, and I'm sure this will do wonders for getting you back on the tri wagon.
Go for it woman!!! Then, come back and tell us all about it!

p.s. are you back at home now?

[Nanci]

Can you get there and swim the day before? From what I've heard about open ocean swimming, is suddenly, one time, you will "get over it" and be comfortable in waves. And who knows, it might be glassy calm that morning.

Nanci

[Running Mommy]

yeah, I'll be there the day before so I should be able to do a pre swim. I need to just buck up and stop being a weenie!! I don't think that part of the coast is all that rough anyway, and I know that the old reebok series is right along that coastline now as well. That series is akin to the danskin series- totally newbie friendly- so I'm sure it's not that rough... sigh.. I'm SUCH a weenie!!

[Nanci]

Lots of the ocean swims in Florida are so shallow that you can actually stand up if need be... Depends on the tide.

I wish I were a good swimmer in waves. (Or anywhere) I am fearless if I have a snorkel, but not without.

[TriChickie]

Do it!! You rose to the IM challenge... here is another one for you. Take the advise of other posters and get a few swims in now. If you're still nervous, just make your goal for the day to have fun!

[KSH]

yeah, I'll be there the day before so I should be able to do a pre swim. I need to just buck up and stop being a weenie!! I don't think that part of the coast is all that rough anyway, and I know that the old reebok series is right along that coastline now as well. That series is akin to the danskin series- totally newbie friendly- so I'm sure it's not that rough... sigh.. I'm SUCH a weenie!!

With that said... you can do it.

Sign up and go race with your friend... it sounds like it should be FUN!