Princess has been locked in a dungeon of her own devising these past eight weeks.  She was hostessing her own personal pity party because of her annoying and unrelenting groin injury, which is healing, ever so slowly.

But after reading Bryan’s blog about dropping out of his race for much more altruistic reasons, Princess decided it’s time to stop feeling sorry for herself.

She withdrew from Providence and has emerged into the daylight, not stressing about being ready to race by July.  Besides, as her good friend Cheryl pointed out, next year Princess will age up to 60 and being at the bottom at that age category is surely more beneficial in trying to qualify for Las Vegas.  After all, the field only gets smaller past 55.

Anyway, there is still a half-Ironman in the offing, just not a qualifier.  Princess signed up for the Westchester Toughman on September 11 and has the whole summer to recover and recoup. www.toughmantri.com

And – now that warmer weather is sort-of-almost-but-not-quite here, time for some open water swim tips.

Princess’s first triathlon was the Danksin Women’s sprint distance in 2000.  The swim was barely a half-mile in a warm, calm lake.  Piece of cake, right? Wrong.  Princess was confident that having spent many a childhood Sunday frolicking in the Ocean, she could easily swim this scant half mile (plus training in the pool, of course).  As soon as she hit the water – panic attack!  She ended up doggy-paddling most of the swim.

Tip Number 1:  An icky, brown, slimy lake with green things floating around is not the Ocean.  It has no salt, no current, is not buoyant and is generally gross, at least in Princess’s opinion.  If at all possible, find some body of open water before the race, if nothing more than to stick your face in it and get a feel for the water.  Get to the race early and get in the water to get used to it.

Tip Number 2:  If training in a pool is your only option – swim a few laps with your eyes closed (for obvious reasons, do not choose the wall lane).  This will give you the sensation of not being able to see the bottom of whatever you’re swimming in.

Tip Number 3:  Try to swim somewhere that's crowded – with little kids is even better.  This will prepare you for getting kicked, swum over and pushed aside and elbowed.

Tip Number 4:  If you’re swimming in something with a current – ocean, bay, river – work with the current.  Use it to your advantage – do not fear it.  If there’s chop – change your stroke – glide with the downswoop and pull your arm higher out of the water, up over the swell.  Don't forget to sight - find something on the shore and keep that in your line of vision.  Otherwise you will have to depend on the kindness of the kayakers to keep you from swimming to China. Remember, the current is best further away from the shore.  If you are swimming in the middle and don't see a kayaker but do see a barge the size of the Empire State Building on its side coming toward you - keep in mind that despite your hot pink swim cap - he can't see you - get out of the way and be prepared for the wake.

Finally – if you’re the least bit hesitant about open water – let the cowboys and triathazons go first.  You won’t lose much by standing off to the side.  If it’s an in-the-water start – same principle applies.  Don’t blow up your legs trying to kick yourself to the death to get to the front.  You need those legs for biking & running and the swim is the only rest they’ll get.  Keep that in mind on the bike as you blow by the cowboys with dead legs.

But most important - have fun!  As my friend Kathleen, said when I was moaning and whining about my injury "It's only a game."