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I'm a glutton for punishment!

This morning I went for my first swim in.... well I can't remember the last time I went swimming. Most likely it was in college or high school. Fortunately it's one of those things, like riding a bike, you don't forget.

I managed to complete 200 meters (8 laps of a 25 meter pool), but it was not easy. I did 5 freestyle laps in just under 30 seconds each, but I had to rest after each lap, and switch off with 2 breast stroke, and one back stroke lap, just to recover in between. I know 30 seconds, for 25 meters, isn't that great, but you have to start somewhere.

Plus the swim followed a 3 mile run just before.

So if you haven't guess by now, I'll tell you. I'm in training for the Long Beach Triathlon, September 23rd, of this year.

Fortunately it's a sprint triathlon, which means it isn't very long. I know I can do the 11 mile bike ride, without even having to think about it, and the 3 mile run should be a piece of cake also, but the 800 meter swim........ well, that's a whole different story.

I'm going to have to do a whole lot training to get in good enough shape to be able to swim 800 meters, in the long beach harbor to boot (cold water with a wet suit), if I expect to make a decent showing, and beat one of my counterparts at our sister company, and another person from one of our vendors, who talked me into this.

It must be that competitive nature in me, that is forcing me to do this, or so I am assuming. You know what they say,
What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.

Let's just hope it doesn't kill me. :)

So if anyone out there is already planning to compete in the Long Beach Triathlon, or would like to train along with me, let me know. I could use the encouragement.

Oh yeah, and any training tips, especially swim training tips, would be greatly appreciated.
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