Mountain Man Triathlon

Well, I guess the best thing about this Triathlon is that I did not drown. This was my 2nd triathlon and my 1st OPEN WATER swim. The day started out good, I felt good, I was loose and ready to go. We lined up on the boat ramp to start the swim and I was ready to go. The gun sounded and we were off. For the 1st 75 yards I was rolling, then all of a sudden I lost it, I could not get a breath, and I was drinking water. I rolled over to my back and tried to get some air. I rolled over again and began to do breaststroke, nothing was working. Now I was really starting to PANIC. I continued for another minute or so doing breaststroke and I wasn't coming around. It was at this moment that I called for the canoe. The canoes are guys who follow the swimmers incase there is a problem. Well I had a big problem, something I had never experienced before, I could not swim. I grabbed onto the canoe and hung on trying to catch my breath. As I was hanging on I began to contemplate quiting. With about 600 meters still to swim, I didn't know if I could do it. Finally after hanging on the canoe for about 2 minutes, I decided there was no way I was going to quit. So I let go and continued to breaststroke. At about 100meters to go I tried to swim it in. I gave it about 6 strokes and went right back to breaststroke. I finished the swim and headed for the bike (see photo). I was totally wrecked. I could not believe what had just happened and it took about 6 miles on the bike before I got my head back. I finshed the 12 mile bike and then the 3.1 mile run. This was much more difficult than the previous Triathlon. Although this event took place at 6000 ft elevation and feels like a complete disaster and I missed my goal of finishing under 2 hours (2:01:31). I have to remind myself that I did not need the ambulance, I smiled at the finishline and "I FINISHED"; and at this time, that is the true goal. Thank you Caraline, Chelsea, and Mom for cheering me through the toughest atheletic event of my life, so far!
PS-Never stay at the Quality Inn in Flagstaff, AZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!