Congratulations! Signing up for a tri is one step, completing it is another. You did both.
I don't like to train with music. I want to tune into my body, listen to my breathing, hear my footsteps..feel. And since I can never use an MP3 player during a race, why train with one? But that's just me.
Plus I hear that race was pretty hot and humid- so you did veddy good!
"You can't get what you want till you know what you want." Joe Jackson
2006 Cannondale Feminine/Ultegra/Jett
2012 Trek Speed Concept 9.5/Ultegra/saddle TBD