Triathlete?

I believe I may have reached a new level of craziness.  I'm about 90% certain I am going to train for a triathlon on August 28th in Paola, KS.  The problem....I'm not a swimmer.  I do have home court advantage for the biking part as I've been biking around that lake since I was 12.....I also have an advantage of endurance being only about 6 weeks past my last long race.  BUT, again, I'm not a swimmer. Luckily, this race has what they call a "sprint," meaning it's a 10.42 mile bike, 5k run, and just under a half mile swim.  Yikes!

However, I am fortunate to have a WONDERFUL friend who is a swimmer and has offered to help.  Jen Pottinger claims, depending upon my current skill level in the pool (low), she can help me get there.  Let me make this clear.  I can swim to save my life.  I can float.  I even know what the stroke is supposed to look like.  What I lack is grace and a rhythm.  I'm hoping this is where Jen comes in.:)

I've found a few websites that talk about training for you first triathlon and some training schedules, so I'm hoping those come in handy.  I've gone as far as to freeze my Title Boxing Club membership and RE-join 24 Hour Fitness to have access to a pool.  I guess all I need is a bathing suit (apparently my green bikini isn't suitable for training), some googles, and a swim cap.  I've seen what chlorine does to hair...I'm not above a swim cap.

Soooo...now that's it out there, I guess I have to do it.  I will be making a trip to Target and/or Wal-Mart sometime this week and hope to get started on Monday.  Wish me luck, kiddos.

xoxo,
ryann