I've been swimming with a coach for 2 weeks in preparation for my first (mini) tri, and it's been amazing. She's helped me so much. She told me today to keep swimming, that I'm actually pretty fast, and that I could be good. HUGE boost...I'm not really great at anything fitness related so this is exciting for me! She's fixed my stroke and taught me a flip turn, which makes me feel cool, lol. AND, I used ear plugs today, and OMG amazing. For the first time I got zero water in my ear and I wasn't dizzy after I swam. Woooo!