I'm new here, and I know that I am in the minority on this forum, but was directed to this forum when looking for answers to open-water swimming. I live in Dallas, TX and for the most part grew up here with the exception of living in St. Croix for four yrs when I was a young teen. I haven't been back since I left and am making it a goal of mine to swim in the Coral Reef Swim they have every year in October. (i wanted to when I was younger but my mom wouldn't let me. ; ). They have a one-mile, two-mile, and a five-mile (that last one is to Buck Island). Though pretty much all of my childhood was spent in the water, whether it be the ocean, lakes, or rivers (my mom was a Scuba instructor), I am not a technical swimmer at all...never taught correct strokes or anything like that. I really would like to train for a 2-mile though, to start...but not sure of the steps I would need to take to do that. Also, my endurance is nothing right now (I said I'm in the minority here, right?) and part of this goal is a goal to get into better shape. I also have mitral valve regurgitation, which is fairly mild but has increased my heart rate and lowered my stamina considerably. I am planning on seeing a cardiologist to hopefully get on meds for that though. Is it unreasonable, knowing all this info, to train for a 2 mile for next year?
