Trying New Things-First Swim Race

Last year, I completed my first triathlon and already signed up for the same one again this year.  I want to see how much I can improve and work towards completing a longer triathlon the following year. As I see multiple triathlons in my future I purchased my first wetsuit.  Last year Delmo sports held a swim race at Sunset lake in Wildwood Crest, this year was the second annual event. I figured I had a wetsuit, so I should sign up.  There are two distances, a quarter mile and a mile. I briefly thought about signing up for the one mile before selecting the quarter mile.  I prepared by doing pool swims with the local tri group I joined.  I planned to do an open water swim with the group before the event, but as often happens with me, that never happened.  Race day quickly arrived and I felt anything but prepared.  My husband came along, for which I am very thankful, he keeps me calm when I am nervous.  I also needed his help getting into my wetsuit.  Some of the friends I have met through running also do triathlons and so they were there too.  I have an amazing support system and I am so thankful for their support.  The morning seemed to go slow until I put my wetsuit on, then they were singing the anthem and herding to the dock.  I knew I was nervous but it is very evident in the photo from the race.

Into the water I go and even with the wetsuit it is cold.  It takes my breath away but I need to start swimming to get out of the way of the next racers.  The wetsuit feels weird and I keep feeling like it is choking me. I flip to my back to try to adjust it and then flip again to swim.  A couple of times the lifeguards lining the route ask me if I am alright, I tell them yes and keep trying to make my way towards the finish. My routine becomes to swim freestyle, then breast stroke then back stroke all the while trying to breath.  I see the half-way point where I need to swim under a floating archway that tracks our time. At this point I am very glad I selected the quarter mile swim.  I struggle through the second half and wait for my turn at the dock to exit the water. After a few minutes my breathing returns to normal.  I am happy to be done and happy I completed the swim.  As I meet my friends who completed the race ahead of me I find out I actually placed third in my age group!  I could not believe it, I was definitely not expecting to place, my goal was to finish.  It was a great start to my day.  What is something you have tried that turned out better than you expected?  Please let me know about your experience in the comments.