Ha! I do have vision problems! I had to get contacts in order to do triathlons.

Well, the "lake" that our tri was in and the "lake" that we practiced in are just old stripper pits. mud holes really! I couldn't see anything but brown. Yes, that was disconcerting. Last year my private swim instructor had told me to swim in the pool with my eyes closed. Today My goggles fogged up and I just left them that way.

I do know that I was swimming way crooked on Monday. every time I sighted, I was turned to the right and had to straighten out again.

Funny about the things on the bottom....this "lake" was described by a team member as "the lake with the Freakishly Large Fresh Water Mussels." NOT very confidence inspiring...but they really didn't bother me too much. As long as I don't see snakes, dont' get out with leaches, and don't sink into the mud to my knees...oh, and don't have to swim through green pond scum, I'm pretty much OK with the fact that it's brown open water. But I will remind myself that those things are on the bottom, like you said.

I feel like my problem is more a confidence problem. It seems to be a breathing problem mostly, I think. I'm afraid of being out of breath and being away from shore. I think......I wish I could put my finger on it.