FIRST TRIATHLON DOWN

With both softball teams having issues finding a win, I have decided to also work some triathlons into my athletic ventures. My First Triathlon took place in beautiful and surprisingly hilly Clermont Florida.
Nerves were killing me the night before the event, so as soon as we arrived in town, I took the family to the site. I checked the water temp and took a look around settling my nerves a bit. After picking up some GU packs at the vitamin shoppe, we drove by the NTC, an elite training center set on a 300 acre campus just outside downtown Clermont. Went back to the hotel and tried on all my gear one last time and went to bed.
Race day I woke at 5:30,it was nice and dark out. Woke the family and went downstairs for some oatmeal and banana and plenty of water and it was off to the event. Sunrise was nice and calming, and my wife pointed out that one person that you can tell is hardcore. He was rail thin, donned a pair of speedos and goggles... that was it.
First leg of the race was the swim, that wasn't long, only 200 yards. I powered my way through it with virtually no form at all. I need to revisit my swim lessons before the next event. Next was the transition to the bike which I could have done better. I could have ran faster, but I was so concerned with saving energy for the 8 mile bike and 2 mile run later. Jumped on the bike after throwing my shoes on just a quick mouthful of GU energy gel and off I rode. Immediately was a decent hill right out of the transition area, the girl in front of me slipped out of gear and wiped out. I stayed on my seat in a low gear because that was the way I trained and also have no ACL, so I was a little worried about stability. I encountered a lot of rolling hills in the 8 mile ride and some beautiful homes on Lake Minneola as well. As I headed back to the transition area, Boomer said "You're in last place Daddy" and after a chuckle with the crowd, I dropped off the bike and left for the 2 mile run. Surprisingly, the run was my best leg of the race with sub 8 minute miles. I finished, which was one goal and I finished the event under an hour which was my initial goal. I had a couple issues on the bike where I only had 3 gears to choose from due to shifting issues.
I had no idea exactly how far to push my body in the first two legs of the event so I feel like I left some time on the course. I was so focused on conserving energy, I could have ran another mile at the same sub 8 minute pace. Overall, it was a great time and now I know what to expect for future competitions.