Great race report... and congratulations on accomplishing your goals! That is what really counts in the end!

I know for me, when I go into a tri... my goal has been to run the entire run... I certainly understand how hard that can be! Way to go on running the entire way!

I took KSH's pacing advice in not using the legs much at all in training... and it worked. I think i kicked like four times the entire distance! It was GREAT! My strokes were powerful! and I got out of the water about in the last beginning of the last 1/3 of the pack.
Awe! I am so happy to hear that I gave out some useful advice that helped you. Powerful strokes are what matter... gliding through the water. Fast swimming doesn't = lots of splashing. Unfortunately, some people haven't been fortunate enough to learn this.

OH... the saltwater... we use to do this in SCUBA diving... eat some hard candy with a lot of flavor after swimming in the salt water. It will help kill that nasty taste in your mouth.