My goodness! I had a rough time getting started. I spent almost all the first 100m on my back doing some sort of backstroke. I had the same breathing problems as I did at Riverwood. I spent basically the whole first 100m or something floating on my back, trying to calm down, not breathe in water, and figure out what to do. I kept rolling over and trying to get started again, but every time the same thing, I'd be gasping for air in a couple of strokes. Eventually somehow I realized that I needed to exhale... I kept on taking (or trying to take) a full breath, and not exhaling enough, and so within a couple strokes I was just gasping for air. As soon as I realized that, I was all set, it was great. I think I swam a little zig-zag, but it wasn't a problem.
Oh yeah - water temp was a FRIGID 67deg!! They had predicted "mid-to-high 70s"... hahaha, right. I was one of just a handful there without a wetsuit. My feet were numb at the end...

Exhale!!

Bike was AWESOME!! I passed easily 50 people. After the first two minutes, I had already lost count. Starting in the 2nd-to-last wave and coming out of the water so late, and with the bike course a 2-lap affair, and with 800 entrants, I had a ton of targets. I seriously lost count within the first 2 minutes of the bike course.
I think I pushed it too much, though. I was most likely not operating aerobically, based on my difficulties on the run.

Higher cadence.

Run was just okay. I didn't have any legs left after the bike, and had to walk two short bits (~10yds). Had a slight stomach cramp, not exactly sure why. Definitely got a good boost at the end with all the spectator support, so I know I CAN run better. But for some reason I have a harder time pushing myself on the run.

Push myself!