triathlon training

I've thought about this before and never really followed through on it. But now I have money riding on the decision. For the past few weeks I've been dedicated to losing weight (tracking calories, gave up eating lunch out for Lent, exercising more) and I'm feeling great. I want to keep the trend going and kick the spare tire around my waist to the curb. I saw a blog post on Kick Asphalt about a triathlon training group being formed by a local running store. I went to the info meeting last night and signed up for the Playmakers Triathlon Team. Then this morning I took my commitment one step further and registered for the Hawk Island Triathlon on May 31. That gives me 10 weeks to whip myself into shape. My goal is to finish the race. I don't care if I have to walk part of the run, I just want to cross the finish line. For me that means getting my swimming skills up to par. I grew up with a pool in the backyard, so I know how to swim (more or less). I just don't know that I can swim 1/4 mile in open water. I learned a few weeks ago that as a staff member I can use the indoor pools on campus for free, so I have a place to train. And the team has access to the Mason Aquatic Center on Tuesday nights and there will be coaches on site to help with technique. The team also has group rides on Thursday nights and Sunday mornings and group runs on Saturday mornings. I'm really excited about this and I hope I can keep up the enthusiasm for the the next 2 1/2 months.