This was my 2nd ever triathlon so I was still afraid of open ocean swimming. I thought swimming in these 4 man-made lagoons (although they had outlets to the ocean) would be a safer venue. It was harder to do because it involved running between each lagoon. I was very disoriented coming out of the water and having to run, your legs feel very shakey. Overall it was much more tiring than a plain old 650 swim. A very beautiful and unique race though.

Do more plyometric/explosive workouts to gain speed in the run between lagoons

Don't know how to get on bike w/ shoes already clipped in. My bike was racked near the entry into the transition but the exit was on the opposite side. It was assigned racking. I prefer to be near the exit.
I usually ride without socks, this saves a lot of time in my transitions, plus I wear a tri suit so I don't change at all.

Had bottle of Accelerade, thought I would get my calories from drinking 3/4 of my bottle. Way too much, side pains had hard time running. Despite that I was pretty fast on the bike, no aerobars. Probably would have helped as course was flat and straight.

No drink so much, rely on hammer gel for calories. Have aerobars

I was going to put socks on w/ running shoes but feet were wet, took too long. Bailed on socks as I usually run w/out them anyhow for 5k.

Have socks rolled down already for easy donning

I was totally bloated from drinking too much accelerade on my bike ride, had hard time running, although I'm not fast anyhow. I always get passed by all the people I beat on the bike.

Drinking too much accelerade on the bike, expending energy running in between lagoons