One week until the big swim, and nerves are beginning to set in.

I actually wasn’t really nervous at all until I picked up my wetsuit today–a full body, sleeveless piece of rubber. (I look hilarious in it, by the way. Like a big, freaking seal.) There was another girl at the counter, returning her suit from this weekend’s sprint triathlon in Dewey Beach, which is a mile or two down the road from where we’ll compete next weekend.

“How was it?” asks friendly salesman. “I got in the water, but couldn’t finish the swim,” the girl says mournfully.

Couldn’t finish the sprint swim, which is half the distance of the 1.5K.

I called my friend, Julie, who recruited me to do this in the first place. She was in Dewey, too, this weekend. Apparently, Ivan had fun with the surf, making it one of the most challenging swims for even experienced swimmers. Gulp.

Note to Jeanne: stay the HELL away from Bethany Beach next weekend.

Seriously, it’s not the distance that worries me. I’ve only been training for about a month, but I’m confident I can finish a one mile swim. And not at the back of the pack, either.

It’s the waves that scare me. I get frazzled by the little baby three footers that you body surf in. If the water is at all choppy, it could get dicey. Then again, I’m swimming, not surfing, so it should be easier to get under the waves to the open water.

Either way, I’m counting the days!! Now to actually try out the wetsuit… this oughta be fun in the lap pool…