Originally Posted by DougG

Fox, I could sure use your coaching! I'm a runner in addition to being a cyclist, and at 63 can run a half-marathon in about the top third of my age group. But I recently started swimming (or, more accurately, trying to swim!) and it has been kicking my butt to put it mildly. I'm actually not getting into the aerobic issues because I'm having trouble with the basic mechanics. I thought I knew how to swim even though I've done little of it, but apparently not.

I foolishly entered an indoor triathlon that takes place this coming Sunday, figuring that I could learn to swim well enough to do the 10-minute part of the event, but now I'm thinking I might have to do the backstroke since that way I can at least stay afloat. And since this is at the rec center of a nearby college campus, I'll be up against some of those 20-year-olds.