I have been cycling and running for about a year now. I first became interested in cycling a couple of years ago when on vacation at Disney during the Florida HIM. About a year ago I purchased Trek road bike and began riding. I also started doing strength training and running. Currently I ride 27 miles almost every Saturday. I run 6 to 10 miles on Sundays and during the week I strength train 4 days a week and alternate each day between the treadmill and stationary bike. I don't swim at all right now. I can tread water and swim an ugly free style. My goal is to do the Florida HIM in 2010. That gives me 2009 to train and do some smaller tri's to get a feel for it. I am looking for input to get me started in the swim.

It looks as if you have been waiting for a while for a response, I have been doing tri's for 4 seasons now and I still love to race and train. The swim is, and has always been my hardest part. Several years ago I purchased the TI book and DVD and worked at it ever since, just recently I made some breakthroughs that have made my days in the pool all worthwhile. The one thing that neither the book or the DVD tell you is how to exhale, now this may sound somewhat odd but I had a real problem with this little detail. The one thing that I can tell you is that the Total Immersion book is the best thing that I have found for the stroke work that you need to become a good swimmer. The missing puzzle piece for me is to exhale thru your nose almost constantly while your face is underwater and to feel the water as you glide thru it. The best way to start a swim program is to first map out what distance and time you want to do them in. Go to the pool and do stroke work until you are comfortable in the water, this will make you believe in yourself to go for that race this summer.
I hope this help you in your quest, let me know if I can help you in any other ways.
Spike.

Thanks for the reply. I decided to get a coach to get me started with the swimming. I think this was a great idea. I am getting comfortable in the water in short time. Most training plans that I have seen would have me starting at about the right time/distance on the swim but start out much lower than my current level on the bike or run. Should I go back to smaller distances/times on the run and bike as I start to train for all three sports?