Quote Originally Posted by limewave View Post
A couple people at the one I just did had containers of water to rinse their feet after the swim. Ours took place on a sandy beach and we had to jog a ways in it. Our feet were covered. I happened to have an extra water bottle with me. I used that to squirt my feet before pulling on my socks. It worked great.
I agree -- having that bottle of water is a great idea. Otherwise you'll likely have sand in your bike shoes. I imagine that wouldn't be comfortable at all.

Another thing I had in transition with me was little bottle of mouthwash -- you know like the travel/hotel size ones. I noticed in my practice open water swims that I hated the way my mouth *tasted* after the swim. No, I wasn't drinking or swallowing the water, but I still must have got some in my mouth. I always wished I had some mouthwash or something to make my mouth not feel as ick after the swim. So, for the tri I took a bottle along with a plastic cup to spit in. It worked great!

About worrying about the other people in the swim, I employed the help of some kids at the pool to bump and run into me as I was trying to swim (with their parents permission of course). I noticed somethings I had to work on when I got bumped.

I tried to plan for every eventuality. When doing my swim workouts I would imagine that I was in trouble in some way and practiced being interrupted and going from treading water back to swimming, etc. I made sure to do this in the deep end so I couldn't just stand up. I was in a lane with the ropes in case I needed them, though. I like being prepared, so this was a way for me to feel prepared.