Glorious sunny day, the water was freezing, my feet were sore once I got in the water and wanted desperately to get out. Got used to it just before the start only to feel a lot of pain in my face from the freezing water.
Other than being punched on the face when going around the second buoy, pretty uneventful swim, relaxed into it, enjoyed the clear water.

Put my face in the water before the start

Tried to take my time and dry my feet properly without success, socks were still soaking.

Try not to wear socks

The first mile or so of the course was flat and I got into an ok rhythm until this never-ending hill started, I had trouble with my lightest gears that kept sticking (and the lowest kept making a noise). I just kept seeing more and more people taking over and my speed slowing each time more. And the hill never ending...
After another mile downhill another uphill, by that stage I was feeling like I was done with the race and just wanted it to be over.
The last stretch was downhill, but it was too late to catch up with the time I had lost so I just decided to enjoy the rest of the race.

More time in the saddle!

It didn't take as long as I thought it would to change from bike to running shoes. Only issue was with wet socks.

Nothing, maybe run with the bike...

I was very aware that I was at the back of the pack and was afraid I was last (I could see people ahead of me but no one behind). The first mile was ok, the next mile I felt like 'what was the point' then I met volunteers with water and the uphill gave me a boost, just picked up my pace by almost 1min/mile to the finish
1st mile 10, 2nd mile 10:15, 3rd mile 8:50

More bike training :)

Heat
Lack of leg power on hills