Overall, the toughest swim I've every done. keeping in mind this is also the 1st open water swim I've ever done. The water was so cold I couldn't catch my breath which impacted my whole swim. By the time I calmed down and got use to the water I already exhausted myself out and their was only about 100 meters to go.

1st. I need to figure out a better way to pace myself to keep me from buring out in the water. 2nd I need to relax in the water and do my own thing not worry what everyone else is doing.

I did so well preping the T1 area, I had everything laid out just right. The only problem I had was actually following my plan when I needed. I staged water to rinse off the rocks from my feet, forgot. I Staged my GPS timer/ HR monitor that I use to help me track my pace, forgot. The timer really hurt because that how I practiced my runs. without it I truly couldn't get a feel for my pace.

remember my internal check list of what I needed to do in the T1 area

Unfortantly , I had to pee like a race horse after the 1st mile and that was all I could think of after that. I lost the mental game today due to a small bladder.

I diffently will not forget my timer on the next one.

This race was billed as a low budget traing event and it was. I sure wish they had at least 1 porta potty close by the run path. I think the lost time using it would of more than been made up by being able to run better.