Cold water (ocean) swim tips?

[zia]

Thanks, everyone. I got lucky with the weather -- sunny, perfect day -- and the water temperature was in the low 60s. The best advice was about getting warm beforehand. I took a hot shower in the morning, put on warm clothes and hat, and kept bundled during setup.

I have "bio-warmed" the wetsuit previously, but they herded us right into water over our heads, and I didn't have the chance. (I am unable to pee while treading water... another thread!) I did have a little bit of a gasp reflex when my face went in, but honestly, after that, I barely thought about the temperature! There was so much else to distract me! Spotting, the salty taste of the water (which was extremely calm), the person grabbing my ankle. I had much more fun than I thought I would, and am considering a 2.4 mile ocean swim next summer (not part of a tri, just a swim).

It also really helped that I had my favorite swim buddy in my wave, and that I was on a relay, so I got an hour to warm up for my run while someone else biked for me.

(And our relay team placed second!!)