If only we could all have a Michelle, I don't need one for the swim, but I would love one for the run!!!
Essentially triathlon is an alone sport. I am almost always last, there are only about 5 women in age groups (all of them) and then all the other women are elite...so well, I know how it isn't very "driving" to try to go faster. But I think of it as a nice long meditative ride and run.
Congrats, and if it was a 750 m swim, 20k bike, and 5 k run, your time is pretty OK!