Had trouble settling into a rhythm to keep my breathing in check, and my asthma tends to flare in August which exacerbates the problem. I also kept swimming off-course which didn't help much. There was some breaststroke to keep the breathing in check and to correct course.

Not much. It was my first open-water swim, so I planned to just get through it rather than try to push hard.

Wetsuit got stuck on both wrists and heels. Also, I'm not motivated enough to do things like jump on my bike and push my feet into my shoes. I like biking with socks. I like getting on the bike carefully so I don't have a spectacular crash.

Experiment with things like trislide to get the wetsuit off more easily. I used Body Glide but either not enough or it just doesn't work for me.

I just need more time on the bike.

I am not jumping off a bike. Also, I can't imagine getting my feet out and putting them on top of my shoes while still pedaling, but maybe that's just me (and the fact that I have road shoes rather than tri shoes).

Elastic laces for my tennis shoes?

I run well.

Nothing.

Water, spritz from the house, met up with friend.


Not enough sleep, not enough time on the bike, not enough experience in open water.