Am I insane

 So seriously would it be insane of me to say do a Triathalon in Sept?  It's a 1500 swim (in the Potomac), 24.9 bike and a 10k.

I think I'm good on the run (I"m running 6 miles now) but doing that after a 1500 swim and a 24.9 bike is a lot.  Does it sound doable?  I am also training for the Army10miler but I guess they would exclude eachother.  I don't have a tri bike but there are a couple places I could rent one for the day for about $75. . .

Am I just being stupid, is it too much?

nationstri.com/home.html

I love to say that "anything is possible" but that is an olympic distance triathlon, and its right around the corner, and I think you might have a hard time.

A 1500 meter swim is almost a mile, if you have not been swimming much and the race is in September you will have a hard time. The bike distance will have you on the bike for awhile, and then the 10k run to fini**** off.

I would highly recommend doing a sprint triathlon as your first, the distance is much more manageable for a first triathlon. If you are having trouble finding any in your area I can help find one. I might even go up there and do it with you if I can swing a trip.

I believe in you and know you can finish a triathlon, but maybe you should start with a sprint.

 I thought that seemed long and swimming the Potomac isn't going to be easy (or clean).  I was just looking for a sprint-tri, thought it would be fun but there doesn't seem to be anything in the area that I could find.  I guess I'll just give it a go next year.  While I"m a decent swimmer I haven't done more than 500 meters at a crawl since surgery and that's been in a pool with lanes.  I thought I might be insane but wanted to make sure.  

I'm looking for something in late Aug. early Sep. and then again maybe a full half marathon in Oct. but pickings start to get slim around that time.  I don't know why It's not like it gets cold that early here (I'm from Syracuse, we have a lot of snow by November!).

I tend to overextend myself so sometimes it's good to hear I need to dial it back.

Here is a women's only sprint in Richmond with a pool swim August 19th
http://www.richmondmultisports.com/commonweath-sports-medici ne-pink-power-triathlon.htm

Here is another all women's sprint in Columbia September 9th
http://www.tricolumbia.org/events/?eid=14

there are several more in the area if you want to look
http://www.trifind.com/Races/AdvancedTriathlonSearch.aspx?da temin=8/1/2012&datemax=10/1/2012®ion=Maryland,Virginia,We st%20Virginia

 Thanks!  aparently I looked at the wrong tri-finder because the one I looked at didn't have all of those!

 Do I really need a road bike, or can I get by with a combo one for a sprint-tri?  I can pick up a road bike on craigslist for around $300 but I don't think my husband will be thrilled about it!

You don't NEED a road bike, the one you have will get you through a sprint tri. If you want a road bike that is up to you. Me personally, I didn't do a sprint tri until I had at least a road bike and clip-in pedals. I am competitive now so I have a triathlon bike.

$300 isn't bad at all. I have a mid grade tri bike that goes for around $3000, my husband's mid grade road bike goes for around $3500. Plus all the gear and any upgrades, this sport is very expensive. We are an enlisted Army family, but we make it work.

Whe I visit my parents, there is a Performance Bicycle (shop) in Viginia, they have affordable entry level road bikes there, as well as discounted gear.

 I  just went to two bike shops in Alexandria (there are like 6) and then realized none of them open until 11!  So that was a no-go.  But both places I was trying to go to sell used bikes, so I thought I'd stop in and see what I could get one for and that way I would know if actually fit.  I've read a bit and it sounds like having clip-in pedals is really important because it gives you the ability to pull instead of just push.  I know they are super spendy bikes!  Which is why I wouldn't ever plan on being competitive.  I just need that sort of thing to ensure I keep up the work-outs.  With horses I do showing for the same reason.  Otherwise I get complacent.  I'm still not sure Tri's are for me, I like the "cheapness" of running.  But it sounds like something fun to try.  And working out on a bike during the week is a good way to give my poor feet a break too.  

 I signed up for a half ironman in Nov of 2010 having never swam a lap in my life, and finished in early May 2011...  That was 6 months..  Here you are talking 3 months..  not impossible, but you better be committed!

 I think I've decided to do a sprint instead.  That way I don't have to spend a fortune on a bike either.  

I went and looked at bikes and the entry level one I liked best was $800.  I think my husband about had a heart attack!  Soooo a better bike will have to wait.