OK, here goes ... I'm going to do this

been checking out this site for a few days and really getting pumped up with some of the stories of true perseverance!

I'll be 39 later this year and want to get a jump on doing one of these BEFORE I turn 40! LOL --- I recently started a "Couch to 5K" program [ http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/conservative_program.htm] ... found the 1st month entirely too easy and I'm progressing through it pretty well so far and have have my eyes set on running a local 5k race on Thanksgiving. I'm going the "conservative" program route because I'm over weight and don't want to stress my body out too bad and injure myself.

Wanted to make sure that I've got the 5K running base in place before I start getting too crazy with the swim AND bike routines. I have pieced together a newbie training routine that includes the bike during the first couple months [while I also do my couch to 5k run program on alternating days] before it introduces some gradual swimming in the 3rd month. I live in the Tampa Bay area so I don't really have an excuse about the weather [I just don't plan to train in the middle of the afternoon in the FL heat!!!]. I also still plan to devote 2-3 days per week to doing resistance training.

as for my weight, I currently tip the scales at 272 lbs and I'm 6' tall  .... want to eventually get down around 200 lbs and I think it's reasonable to beleive I can be there by next summer. I can carry that amount of weight well because I've got a bigger frame from lifting weights for many years now but I'll let my body ultimately decide where I end up. Will admit that I LOVE my beer ... especially during football season but have gotten much better at cutting back on those relishing them --- won't give them up cold turkey  One of the reasons I am going to do this type of training is for self accomplishment with a healthy side-effect of getting my body back moving and LEAN again!

I've got my mind set on doing my first Sprint Tri in early Spring of '09 ... should give me plenty of time but I am starting to put my plan into action now to get the 5K base & race done and then go hard core after my first tri.

If I am putting together a potential race schedule for '09, how many sprint tri's should I schedule in my first year and how many weeks apart should they be? Would it be OK to shoot for a race in April then one in June and another in Sept? Was curious as to how some of you scheduled those at first.

Thanks again for any & all input .... I guess my next step is to start tracking my workouts and staying active on boards like this to keep myself accountable!