tri, tri again

I completed my first tri, while a mini, the fear of water was still there. I finished the Watertown Tri in 37th place with a time of 1:22.32. My goal was 1:30. I was pleased and learned a lot. What did I learn? What it feels like to get kicked or hit by an arm swinging. But that pain was nothing. The real pain was walking across the rocks to get into the water and then to have to do the same getting out. Getting in I was not concerned, because the clock had not started yet. Getting out the clock was ticking away. Seconds turned into what felt like minutes, and listening to my wife and daughter, that might have been the case as I tried to walk out of the water and into the transition area. My feet are tender. But all in all it was OK. If it works I will try another tri before summer ends.
If I had tougher feet, it might help in my time not only getting into the transition area, but out I had to make sure ever grain of sand was off the bottom of my feet, socks on and straight and shoes tight so they did not blister.
Walking back and forth on our gravel driveway might help, but just thinking of taking of my shoes in house makes my feet hurt.
Knowing swimming is my weakest, I've devoted more time to that than either the biking or running, so much so I was worried that I may have lost a step on my running. Not that running is my strong suit. Biking is not either.
For biking, LeAnn and I have been doing one ride in Aberdeen with a group of experienced riders. Oh and did I forget to mention they like to ride, let's say not not a Sunday ride pace. It has been good, now if the wind was always at he back it would even be better for me.
I will be keeping up my swimming, but because the pool is outdoors and once school starts, its back to on the road, adding time to already shorter days.
Will I be able to get in the mile swim, who knows, but one day the Titanic even needed to head out of dock on her maiden voyage. I just hope the same thing does not happen to me.