Started on far left and never ran into anyone the whole swim, pretty calm. Did find a pair of feet to draft off at about the 350 yrd mark. Distance was about 500, year before was supposedly 100 short so they lengthened the swim.

None

Long run (about 300 yards) from water to the T-1 so add about 1:30 to swim just to get to the transitin area. Slipped after mount line, left crank arm was too high to do a flying mount, even though I tried. Didn't notice the open knee until after the race.
Passed couple of people running from water to T, long way so just ran at 5K pace.

pay attention to fast mounting, go slower to go faster!

Legs tight after the first climb but pushed through hearing that the mid section was downhill and fast, which it was. Only 2 sips of water so only fill aero bottle with about 4 oz next time.

Two kids were sitting right in front of my shoes, Why in T-2??? No worries, just racked the bike, slipped on shoes (thanks yankz) and took off.

Legs surprisingly felt fine after the bike, just winded, proud to push through the mental block of "here's a hill, it's ok to walk", never gave in. The course marshall on the cyclocross bike was fun to try to chase. Then the off course excursion around mile 1.5 made for an adrenaline rush which kept me distracted for another 10 minutes. At the last hill, one guy on my tail for over 1 mile, I figured I'd let him go if he passed, but I ended up dropping him on the final climb, that's a first.

Do more trail running, that is fun but hard work.

Well organized with a bunch of volunteers and not too high stress, really casual feel to the race, which is relaxing. Course marked well, just needed to pay attention better. The run course is a lot more fun than the standard running through cart paths/concrete, etc since it is trail running. Bike course, although not closed to traffic, roads were back roads mostly and almost no traffic. Swim, well who doesn't want to swim under a low bridge!