Hi,

I've been thinking about doing a tri some time next year. It seems fun and a great way to feel good about achieving something. But I can't swim! And I can't stand cold water. I'm 40 and I took my first swim lesson a month ago. Now I can swim about 20 yards at the most before needing to stand up in the pool! The pool I swim in is maintained at 81 degress but it always feel like it's 65 to me when I first jump in. I live in the Seattle area, so I can't imagine any tris around here with water that's anywhere near that warm.

How many of you learned to swim late in life and managed to finish a tri? Are there bouys or something you can hold onto if you get really tired and need to stop and rest during the swim? I guess I could always just backfloat if I'm too tired.

Do the wet suits make a cold lake feel like it's 81 degrees?

I'd really like to figure out this swim part. I can do the biking and running ok for a guy who has a weakened leg from years of back problems.