Wow, what a mud bowl. There was heavy rain last night, and transition was a soupy mess! The swim straight into the sun was a new trick I was forced to learn.
Otherwise, it was a great, fun race. My computer said I did 18.4 while rolling on the mountain bike.
The core advice in this thread was dead on. I started the swim at the outside left, counted to 10 after the gun, and passed eveytime I touched someone's feet. The disorientation from the sun had me more rattled than I've ever been in the water, but the sage advice here couldn't have been better: keep swimming! I stopped about a half dozen times trying to figure out where the course was, and each time, I saw that I was moving up in the field. I said to myself that I had no excuse to be rattled if I was making time and passing people. My SO said I looked a lot slower than normal, and I don't doubt it. The only time I had my stroke was the first and last 75 or so yds when I could see where I was.
The other thing: the 45-49 AG is pretty hardcore. Their average last year was faster then some younger groups, and I wouldn't be surprised if it repeats. I have no idea how I did since the numbers aren't up yet, but hats off to anyone who raced today. I'm sure all of the beginners feel like I do, that it was a major accomplishment.
Oh, in view of the conditions, I was especially impressed by how well run it was. There was decent security at transition
(when a transition volunteer joked with me after the race that I wasn't allowed in because only triathletes were allowed, I gave him a big smile and told him I was in too much pain for security
). When the PA system failed during wet conditions, they had a bull horn for backup. The collegiate games afterward were hilarious, as advertised. They had lots of energetic, competent volunteers. Good job, UCSD tri team!