Mustard Hearts and the Half Ironman

on October 15, 2009
in All Posts

This morning, I was surprised with an emergency call from the doctor.  I had to go into the doctor’s office to get some test results – which were basically inconclusive and require more testing (before my insurance runs out).  I don’t think its really a big deal, but the whole run-around by my doctor and the insurance company really irritates me. 

 

Apparently, there is a new law (maybe just in Florida) that states a doctor must tell you all test results in person unless the test was negative.   That means I coughed up a $50 copay for my doctor to tell me to come in again next week for more tests.  And I wasted two hours of my day.  Lovely. 

 

The Husband drove me and I snacked on a banana.

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And then we came home and he made me lunch.  I was very happy to see he drew me a mustard heart.  He’s so sweet.  🙂

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My sammie also contained: a veggie burger, cheese, lettuce, and grilled onions.

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And I had a Key Lime Pie mini for dessert.  Yum! 

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At least my lunch was good!

 

In Other News….

 

I am seriously considering doing the Orlando Half Ironman in May.  Because to say that I am a half ironman would be pretty badass.  The course is:

 

  • 1.2 mile swim
  • 56 mile bike
  • Half Marathon

 

I’m not concerned about the bike and the half marathon at all – I could probably do that tomorrow if I needed to.  But the 1.2 mile swim freaks me out. 

 

I attempted 1 triathlon in the summer of 2008 (here’s the recap).  I say “attempted” because I was disqualified from the swim – and it was only 0.25 mile!  I made the rookie mistake of having the race swim be my first open water swim.

i_really_hate_swimming

I had a panic attack in the water and quit.   I feel like I should conquer my fears and try again. 

 

Could I learn to swim 1.2 miles?  Can I get over my fear of the water?

{ 88 comments }

 

  • Meg October 15, 2009, 1:03 pm

    I think you should go for it! You know you’ve overcome SO many obstacles before, what’s one more?! You’re strong, beautiful, and motivated – do it!

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance October 15, 2009, 1:04 pm

    Oh, I have heard the Orlando Half Ironman is a lot of fun, however I would be nervous about the “swimming” portion! I would never set a foot in Fresh Water in Florida. YIKES, gators and who knows what else! =O

    =) Laura @ Finding A Healthy Balance (after a 100+ POUND weight loss)

  • Nikki T October 15, 2009, 1:04 pm

    You can do it, put your HEART into it!!

    A 56 mile bike ride?! If you can do that, you can swim your heart out for 1.2 miles!

    🙂

  • Laura@FindingAHealthyBalance October 15, 2009, 1:04 pm

    P.S. However, I am sure it is very safe and if you want to do it you should!!!!! =) I am just a chicken!

  • Sara October 15, 2009, 1:05 pm

    Go for it girl! You definitely could! I would LOVE to do a triathlon and a half ironman but I don’t have a bike and can’t afford to get one 🙁 Maybe one day though! You could get over your fear! I know you can! Just give yourself time to train and try going for some swims in water like that you will face in the swim. If you can bike for 56 miles and do a half marathon you can more than get over your fear and swim 1.2 miles! 🙂

  • Bernadette October 15, 2009, 1:06 pm

    Oh the memories this post brought back… or Nighmares I should say…I had the same experience with my Triathlon and am sorry to say that I have not attempted another since. Don’t get me wrong, I’m usually the first to take a challenge and being a California girl, grew up on the beach and in the ocean but still I had a major panic attack when it came to the swim and also did not finish the swim portion. Usually I will go back and attempt to ‘conquer my fear’ at some point but with this, hell no.

    I know it can be done and have the utmost faith in you and can’t wait to hear what you decide.

  • Michelle October 15, 2009, 1:11 pm

    OMG I have the same problem! I can run. I can bike. But I’m not a fan of swimming. But I think you can do it. That would make a great challenge. Maybe sign up for some lessons or have a friend give you some tips. And practice practice practice! The more you do it the more you’ll help conquer that fear! 🙂 And what a great accomplishment a half ironman would be! You can do it! 🙂

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat October 15, 2009, 1:14 pm

    I definitely think since it’s in May, you have plenty of time to train for it. I definitely think you are capable!

    Hope everything with the doc is okay. I hate the run around they give you sometimes!

  • Amy October 15, 2009, 1:14 pm

    I know you can do it, but I definitely think you should try some shorter distance open water swims first! I’ve done an Olympic, and even that distance is hard – can’t imagine doing a half. Though I’m sure I will someday 😉

  • Jenna October 15, 2009, 1:15 pm

    i think you should totally enter the ironman! you can train to swin 1.2 miles 😉
    jenna

  • Gina October 15, 2009, 1:15 pm

    I’m a horrible swimmer but I am looking into a Sprint Triathlon possibly next year. So it would give me a good excuse to get better at swimming. I could not imagine doing a Half Ironman right now!
    If you have the time and dedication to train, I say go for it! 🙂

  • Nicole (dishin') October 15, 2009, 1:16 pm

    The swim would scare me too but if anyone can do it, you can!!

  • Brie (The Fit Bride) October 15, 2009, 1:16 pm

    Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right!

    (I forget who said that. It wasn’t me. But it’s true. And for the record, I think you can!)

  • Meg C. October 15, 2009, 1:18 pm

    Maybe you should try to get a few triathalons under your belt before you try the half ironman? I’m just suggesting this because you say you were unprepared for your last triathalon, and I bet if you do a few triathalons you’ll be prepared for the half ironman!

  • Stephanie October 15, 2009, 1:20 pm

    I think that new requirement is interesting– I had never heard of that before, it must just be in FL. I have heard that docs do that for life-threatening things, b/c there is a history of ppl panicking and doing something drastic because they’re scared, and they think that in a doctor’s office they can counsel you, give more info, etc. But for routine tests that is ridiculous and really frustrating. What if you were still working and had to use all that sick time, etc. Annoying!

    (Hope everything is ok, though!)

  • Kristin October 15, 2009, 1:21 pm

    You can do it! My mom did her first Triathlon when she was 56 years old and she was NOT a swimmer. In fact she almost drowned twice before that!

  • Courtney October 15, 2009, 1:24 pm

    I did my first sprint tri this summer, only trained in a pool for the half mile swim. I was sooooo nervous the whole time leading up for the swim. I LOVED THE SWIM! I ended up rocking it out and I was first in my age group coming out of the water! (a slow transition and a super hard bike/run killed my first place). I say go for it….AWESOME!!!!!!

    Courtney
    Adventures in Tri-ing

  • Brianna October 15, 2009, 1:30 pm

    YES YES YES! You can do it! I used to swim in college, and the hardest part about swimming is just getting in the water!!! I can totally understand the panic attack open water scares the hell out of me, but with practice it gets easier! I have total faith you’ll rock it! 🙂

  • Amanda (modernation) October 15, 2009, 1:30 pm

    You absolutely can do it! I know I already told you last week on Twitter, but I know you can! You have accomplished so much since that race! I definitely want to do one too. I did an Olympic distance and think a half Ironman would be amazing! GO get em!

  • Matt October 15, 2009, 1:36 pm

    Go for the half ironman!

    Sorry about the doctors visit. That is crap. I hope your tests come out ok!

  • brandi October 15, 2009, 1:37 pm

    you can totally do it! I think that would be the hardest part for me, too, but if you can get in there and practice in the open water, you’ll at least know what to expect!

    I hate that doctors do that now. such a waste of time and money.

  • Diana October 15, 2009, 1:38 pm

    I think you should definitely do it. Just train and try to get over that fear. 🙂

    And I think that thing about the doctor is ridiculous!

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair October 15, 2009, 1:39 pm

    Take swimming lessons or join a master’s swim team. Seriously!

    I was a lifeguard/swim instructor for 4 years and we taught LOTS of adults how to swim. Obviously, you know how to swim already and just need some extra practice. I think you’d feel WAY more confident with your swimming if you do a few lessons and get comfortable/confident with the proper technique. So many people don’t have the proper technique when they swim and that makes it WAY harder for them!

    I think you absolutely can do it if you train for it 🙂 Good luck!!

  • MelissaNibbles October 15, 2009, 1:39 pm

    Go for it! You can do anything you set your mind to!

  • Evan Thomas October 15, 2009, 1:39 pm

    those key lime pies always look good

  • Megan October 15, 2009, 1:39 pm

    Wow. A half would be ridiculously badass. I want to do it. And I think it’s a great idea to have another goal lined up for after the marathon in January.

  • Kristie Lynn October 15, 2009, 1:41 pm

    I would go for a shorter swim competition (sprint tri?) first just to make yourself more comfortable and “test the waters” before committing to a 1.2 mile swim. But that’s just me 🙂

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite October 15, 2009, 1:41 pm

    Do it!!!! I’ve never done one, but my husband competes in half ironmans. I remember after his very first one he said it was much easier than running a marathon. He is officially addicted to them! Nutrition and training are key. You can do it 🙂

  • Kelly October 15, 2009, 1:42 pm

    Badass! Love it! Considering all that you have accomplished lately, I would say there is NO stopping you! and better to try and fail than never to try at all 🙂

  • cali October 15, 2009, 1:42 pm

    you can do it! my advice to you is to practice breathing every three strokes – it’s hard at first but good training for lake swims. and if the current is pushing water in your face on one side, you can breathe to the other without feeling like you are at a disadvantage.

  • Stephanie October 15, 2009, 1:45 pm

    Yes you can do it! Swimming is all about practice & conditioning… once your body gets used to the distance it’s easy peasy 🙂

  • Amy October 15, 2009, 1:45 pm

    I think you can definitely do it, but I would suggest doing a shorter distance tri first. Triathlons are SO much fun! But a half IM is a looong race. Like 6-7 hours long. Wowza.

  • Susan October 15, 2009, 1:49 pm

    If you spend a lot of time focusing on your swim then I think you could totally do it! I did NOT enjoy the open swim part of my triathlon at all. Even if I became a stronger swimmer, I’m not sure I’d do it again. Pool only from now on!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is October 15, 2009, 1:53 pm

    I think that be an awesome challenge!!

  • Emily @ My Chubby Confessions October 15, 2009, 1:54 pm

    Caitlin, I have to quote you directly and say “you can do anything! =] A little practice and you’ll do great! And keep in mind, you WILL set a PR once completed! You can do it!

  • Frannie October 15, 2009, 1:56 pm

    Caitlin,

    I do triathlons of all distances less than Ironman. Please, please consider doing a full Olympic or two before you try to do the 1/2 Iron. While I believe you can both bike 56 miles and run 13.1 miles, doing it all in one go is a totally different experience. Just think about it, please!

    Frannie

  • Allison October 15, 2009, 1:56 pm

    If you really committed to swimming between now and then, I bet you could do it. 1.2 miles= a little over 2000 yards. In a 25 yard pool, that’s over 80 lengths of the pool. And open water always feels completely different. I wouldn’t reccomend it, since you’re putting your focus on marathon training, and probably wouldn’t even start swimming until after January. I’ve been a swimmer for over 10 years and training for swimming is absolutely nothing like training for running.

  • jen trinque October 15, 2009, 2:06 pm

    I have no experience with swimming in open water or training to do so, but I’m pretty darn sure this is an example of mind over matter. You’re obviously strong and athletic, so you could do the physical part no problem, especially with training. Do you still get freaked out when you think of swimming in open water? You probably need to do some cognitive behavioral work around it, to get yourself relaxed thinking about the situation. I agree it would be totally bad ass if you did it!

  • stephanie p October 15, 2009, 2:13 pm

    Hey! My dad does the full Ironman races and my advice is something you already addressed…make sure you learn to swim in open water! It is nothing like pool swimming…especially with all those people around.

  • Charm City Kim October 15, 2009, 2:21 pm

    I totally panicked during the swim portion of Iron Girl this past year. But I forced myself to stay in the water… and backstroked the entire kilometer!

    I think you just need to practice more in open water and you could totally do it.

  • Kelly October 15, 2009, 2:33 pm

    What if you did a sprint tri first? Most of them have open water swims. Then you could build your confidence before the big one?

  • Emily (Emily Eats and Exercises) October 15, 2009, 2:47 pm

    I’d be SO jealous if you did the half ironman!!! (and VERY impressed!) I did my first sprint tri this year and LOVED it. Actually for me the swim is the best part. I’m NOT ready to do the run portion. I would love to hear all about it.
    I would advice you to get some swim lessons to make your stroke as efficient as possible and also some open water swim clinics.
    A agree with the above poster that you might want to try a sprint one for practice first. Also, did you have a wetsuit? I’m not sure if the water is too warm in Florida, but they REALLY help make it easier to swim.

    Yummy sandwich by the way!

    • caitlin October 15, 2009, 2:49 pm

      wetsuits arent allowed in this tri because the water will be a toasty 78 degrees LOL

  • Anne Marie@ New Weigh of Life October 15, 2009, 2:50 pm

    You can do it!!!

  • Lauren October 15, 2009, 2:51 pm

    Def. consider doing a sprint or olympic before jumping into half!

  • Mrs. Myers @ Eat Move Write October 15, 2009, 2:57 pm

    I love that your hubby made a mustard heart. It reminds me of when my hubby bought me a little glass “stone” at the drug store one day that said, “You make my heart happy.” Just because. Boys are cute.

    I am with you on the swim. I HATE swimming. I would be very overwhelmed by a 1.2 mile swim. I do think you could do it, though. You got a book deal. That’s like winning the stinkin lottery! Pretty much you can do anything now, right?! lol…

  • Tara October 15, 2009, 3:04 pm

    I had the same problem this summer. I trained for my first tri and had a panic attack in the water, about a month before the event. I was able to swim 2-3 times a week in a lake after that and that really helped. Unfortunately I still freaked out the day of the event, but had practice calming myself down in the water and finished. I am looking forward to training again next summer. I would maybe try a short triathlon before the full half. Good luck! If you need any tips, just email because I received alot while figuring it all out myself.

  • angieinatlanta October 15, 2009, 3:11 pm

    I totally think you should do the 1/2 Ironman! How incredible would that be!?

  • Trish October 15, 2009, 3:15 pm

    Of course you can do it! I have done 2 (after learning to swim 6 months prior) and I will tell you, the swim, you just have to survive. It doesn’t have to be pretty. Also, check to see if it is a wetsuit legal swim, because if it is WEAR ONE! You litterally cannot sink in one and all you have to worry about is your arm pull. It is bouyant and it makes so much difference. DO IT!

  • Julie October 15, 2009, 3:20 pm

    That’s why I hate going to the doctors office…you get there, pay a co-pay, wait for hours, see the doctor for 5-10 minutes so he can tell you you’re healthy and you leave. It’s such a waste.

    I think you can conquer your fear of water. Just get to the root of the problem…what about open water scares you? Did something traumatic ever happen to you in open water? Is it just an open water fear or fear of water all together?

    • caitlin October 15, 2009, 3:25 pm

      my issue with the swim was that i was unprepared to not be able to see the bottom of the lake! it was dark and murky and it freaked me out. however, i hear the lake for the ironman is “tea colored” and you can see the bottom…

  • Tracey@tropicalhappiness October 15, 2009, 3:21 pm

    DAMN WOMAN! If you do the 1/2 iron, on top of your marathon training, book writing, school studying, cooking, wife-ing, driving to Miami for Hurricane games and everything else you do in life, I am going to have to start calling you SUPERWOMAN!!! 🙂

    Oh, and you will have basically ruined the “I don’t have time to work out today” excuse for the rest of us. LOL!!!!! 🙂

    But I think you can do anything you put your mind to… just give yourself enough time to train for it! I do think that swimming lessons would help A LOT. I’m sure you’ll be able to find someone who teaches open-water swimming techniques! GOOD LUCK!

  • Carla October 15, 2009, 3:28 pm

    Go for it! I’m signed up for my first 1/2 ironman next August – freaking out a little bit, but very excited. As for the swim…once you get passed the panic phase at the beginning, it’s smooth sailing! What helped me most in my last race was getting in the water and swimming around a bit before the race started. Good luck!
    (Love your blog btw…I’m a daily lurker!)

  • Carla October 15, 2009, 3:28 pm

    Go for it! I’m signed up for my first 1/2 ironman next August – freaking out a little bit, but very excited. As for the swim…once you get past the panic phase at the beginning, it’s smooth sailing! What helped me most in my last race was getting in the water and swimming around a bit before the race started. Good luck!
    (Love your blog btw…I’m a daily lurker!)

  • Jennifer October 15, 2009, 3:40 pm

    Coming from someone that couldn’t swim at the beginning of the summer and ended up completing 4 triathlons, one being an Olympic distance, I say go for it! Practice, practice, practice and maybe find an open water swim clinic in your area and you will be fine. I will say, I would suggest doing a Sprint triathlon in open water before your Half IM just so that you have a full tri race completed and under your belt. Race scenarios are different then training scenarios as I am sure you know! I chronicled my training and race experiences in my blog if you are interested.

  • Kate October 15, 2009, 3:50 pm

    Absolutely you can! I am training for my second half at the moment, along with my hubbie, who only started swimming last year. My advice: get working on your swim NOW, and focus on biking biking biking all winter. You may be fine to ride 56 miles, but doing it at race pace and following it with a half marathon is HARD.

  • brittany meenach October 15, 2009, 3:51 pm

    Yes you can, your strong and healthy and beautiful. I would practice and get comfy in open water. You can run for miles and bike like lance, so channel your inner phelps and do it sister.

  • Beth @ DiningAndDishing October 15, 2009, 3:57 pm

    Even a half ironman sounds insaaaaane!! If you do decide to do it you are a braver woman than me!! Best of luck :O)

  • Meg @ Be Fit Be Full October 15, 2009, 3:59 pm

    An ironman is SO badass! I can’t believe you could go out and do the bike and run portion tomorrow…jealous!
    You definitely have time to become a better swimmer! Practice makes perfect. You are incredible at doing things you put your mind to!

  • Liz October 15, 2009, 4:18 pm

    Go for it girl! I bet if you did some more training in open water you’d rock it no problem.

  • tami October 15, 2009, 4:21 pm

    i just signed up for my first sprint tri, i plan to do 3 in 2010, first i need to learn to swim! you can do it.

  • Stephanie October 15, 2009, 4:25 pm

    I agree with the suggestion to try an Olympic triathlon first (if I am correct, 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike and 10k? or close to that). But even moreso, I would complete a sprint first and work yourself up. Doing the half ironman first would be like doing a marathon without having ever done a 5k. You can do it, but give yourself some shorter ‘tests’ first.

  • Stacy (Eating To Live Love Laugh Tri) October 15, 2009, 4:32 pm

    Wow! You have received a lot of great advice. One thing I should mention in regard to the above comments is that all of the people who have done a half IM recommend that you think about your decision before you do it and try to get a few other tris under your belt first. Please do not take their advice lightly. As you mentioned in your post, you can already bike 56 miles and run a half marathon but it is a completely different thing to do them back to back…not to mention the 35-40 minutes of swimming before that. I have been racing tris for a few years now and have completed every distance from a sprint to a full Ironman and I definitely think it is possible for you to do the same. However, training will CONSUME your life. In order to be properly prepared you will have to workout almost every day and often two times a day. With all of that being said, I absolutely love being a triathlete and think you would love it to. Please let me know if you have any questions about training and racing.

    • caitlin October 15, 2009, 4:33 pm

      im thinking that i might be able to handle all the training, as i will be unemployed / book will be done.

      im seriously considering it!!

  • Ellen October 15, 2009, 4:39 pm

    Love the mustard heart! It’s so funny because almost everyone I know who trains for triathlons has the most trouble with swimming. I’ve never done one, but I want to one day. I’m a great swimmer, and a decent runner, but I’m scared to death of biking!!!

    http://www.firednfabulous.blogspot.com/

  • Kate October 15, 2009, 4:53 pm

    Just read your comment that the book will be done, and you’ll definitely have time after the marathon. In that case, HELL YEAH!

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers October 15, 2009, 4:55 pm

    you could totally do it!!! you’re super wooooooman! 🙂 ow, ow!

  • Chloe (Naturally Frugal) October 15, 2009, 4:55 pm

    You can totally do it!!!!

    I love doing mini-triathlons because they are so fun to train for. Instead of doing one exercise 5x/week you get to do 3! Running is my least favorite, but I manage to get through it so that’s what swimming will probably be like for you. You should see if there are any clubs in your area and check out the master’s swim team. Definitely consider it and work your way in with a few smaller ones!

  • Carrie H October 15, 2009, 5:10 pm

    You totally can do it. And then you’ll inspire all of us: i.e. I JUST SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST FULL MARATHON TODAY! So nervous and excited, but I’m watching your training and you’re helping to motivate me!

  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion October 15, 2009, 5:10 pm

    I think your pretty badass to begin with, but, I totally understand I am so afraid of water too! I hope you overcome you fear, so you can tell me how to!!

  • Tay October 15, 2009, 5:38 pm

    You could do it you badass lady 😉
    I saw your tweet, and swimming that long would take me about an hour, and I’ve been a swimmer my whole life. Just to give you an idea.

    Good luck trainig if you do decide!! I want to get into tri’s SOOOOOO badly. But need to do biking first.

  • Jessica October 15, 2009, 5:40 pm

    “How many days a week do you work out? I used to pull 5 – 6 times a week, but now that I’ve gotten older (haha), that seems too hard and unnecessary. I like to stay active on rest days, but I can’t do an intense workout too frequently.”
    This will be a barrier to Ironman training. It takes a LOT of work – like one woman has already said – with multiple workouts in a day. Maybe 14 hours/week minimum. 70.3 is not something to be taken lightly, and though I don’t doubt your ability to complete it, you also have to respect the distance. Good luck.

    • caitlin October 15, 2009, 5:45 pm

      truth! i realized then when looking at training plans today.

      • Kate October 15, 2009, 6:27 pm

        But be aware that lots of your training for the Half IM will not be “hard”- long slow bike rides take it out of you, but you should be keeping your running WAY easy, and swimming is good recovery work. I definitely find the training load hard, but not necessarily harder than marathon training.

        And there is NO WAY you need 14 hours a week minimum for a 70.3 (for full IM, hell yes). I train 14 hours a week MAX (as per the instructions of my pro-Ironman coach) and I am in solid-good half IM shape for a half on a very very tough course.

        Feel free to email me or check out my training log (http://www.buckeyeoutdoors.com/cgi-bin/training/traininglog?guest=hotpotatokate) if you have any questions!

  • Michelle October 15, 2009, 6:11 pm

    You can do it. You know that you can! 🙂 I totally know what you mean though about not being able to see and/or touch the bottom it freaks me out as well. I think that it would be an interesting thing to challenge yourself to do and I think that you’d benefit from conquering your fear of the water. Get your head in the game and you’ll do it.

  • Jess October 15, 2009, 6:36 pm

    I think you can do it but if possible I’d do as many small distance triathlons as possible beforehand. I’m planning to run my first Olympic distance and Half Ironman next summer after having gotten my feet wet with two sprints and a duathlon this past summer. Training for triathlons can be extremely time consuming and draining on the body. I am one of those racers who likes to be extra prepared before entering a race but still right now the Half Ironman terrifies me. I always look at the distances and say to myself “I could do all of those no problem”, but back to back is an intense and humbling experience, so just make sure you’re really prepared first. I’m also running my first marathon in April, so it looks like our training programs will be pretty similar this year 🙂

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 15, 2009, 6:48 pm

    You totally could do it!

  • Joelle (The Pancake Girl) October 15, 2009, 7:20 pm

    You can do anything you set your mind to!

  • Heather October 15, 2009, 7:31 pm

    This CAN happen. I am only a short distance daily runner (3-4miles), but I have been a competitive swimmer for my whole life. I compete in long distance open-water events. Most recently, I did Swim Across the Sound, a 17 mile jaunt from Connecticut to New York. It was insane. (it took me 9 hours) Here is my advice: Don’t wear a wetsuit. You need to get comfortable with the feel of open water swimming. And get in ANY open water you can…. the ocean, bay, rivers, lakes, quarry holes… whatever. Just bring a partner. Open water swimming is way harder and more draining then pool swimming. You have very little buoyancy in fresh water. I think to do the 1.2 miles swim, you can practice one-two times a week for about 12 weeks and you will be comfortable and quick. But stay away from the pool. I KNOW the panic. I have felt it many times… been crazy-scared… but the only way to overcome it is desensitization.

    • Amy October 16, 2009, 10:57 am

      WOW Can I just say that is INSANE and so very cool?!! I was a competitive swimmer for ever too but I know how different open water and pool swimming are. I cannot believe you swam from Conn to NY!!

      All good advice about open water training. It is so humbling learning to swim open water after years of pool training. I was a lifeguard for years! And suddenly I am the one panicking.

      And I thought I was brave swimming in Lake Michigan 🙂

      • Heather October 17, 2009, 8:27 pm

        You are brave! Anyone who swims in open water….. just ‘because’ is brave. Only lifelong swimmers know the mind tricks it takes to be a good swimmer! Keep up the good work!

  • Paige October 15, 2009, 8:14 pm

    I tried doing triathlons a few years ago. I could bike well, and my running is decent; but I could never get comfortable in the water. For my first tri, the swim was in a pool. That wasn’t so bad. My second tri involved a .25 open water swim. I practiced in open water and still had a panic attack on the day of the race. I could not catch my breath for anything. Luckily, there was a rope to grab onto; and I basically pulled myself a long for the second half of the swim (it was out and back).

    If you attempt it, you will be one brave woman in my eyes! I wouldn’t put it past you though…You’re awesome!

  • Kristine October 15, 2009, 8:30 pm

    i think you can do it. especially if you start working on it now. you will have plenty of time to train since its in may! good luck :]

  • Kelsey October 15, 2009, 9:02 pm

    oh caitlin! i think that you should conquer your fear and train for the event. how amazing would that be to finish the races after thinking it was impossible?! you can do it!

  • Julie @savvyeats October 15, 2009, 10:01 pm

    I am also an awful swimmer, and that portion would be my downfall in any triathalon! But if you can put together a good training schedule, then go for it!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 15, 2009, 10:10 pm

    Oh Caitlin – you could SO do this!! I totally think you should go for it!! Just practice in open water this time, and you will be golden!

  • maria October 16, 2009, 12:12 am

    It would be badass to say you were a half-iron man. I’ve never attempted an open water swim, but I bet you can conquer it!

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