This is it, the moment you've been waiting for. 2 months ago you probably dreaded this day, but today you should feel confident and ready to complete your race.
A few things to remember:
--The race is not won in the run down the beach and shore entry. Take your time and allow others to run to the water before you. Plan on catching them during the swim portion; you want them ahead of you at the start so that in case there's a sandbar to trip on, you can see it coming by the fallen bodies in front of you. They can also lead the way out if there are waves hampering your visibility; let them do the work in the beginning and save yourself for later!
--Your adrenaline will surge in the beginning of the race; don't let it get the best of you and tire you out! Be aware of your breathing; don't hyperventilate. Stay calm and tell yourself you are swimming EASY. Trust me, you'll be sprinting, but you need to tell yourself to slow down so you are mentally and physically prepared to sprint at the end.
In other words, PACE YOURSELF...all those 100's and 50's pace you did were for a reason; you will now know what it feels like to put them all together in a consecutive 1-2 mile race!
--Begin your sprint at the last buoy, or the turn in to shore, or the last 200 yards or so of your race. Add a hard kick to your stroke and if you can catch a wave, it can only help you. I have beat many swimmers ahead of me (and I have also been beaten) by the crapshoot that a wave provides. If you're in the right place at the right, you can surge past faster swimmers whose luck and bodysurfing prowess is inferior to your own. Nothing is more mentally frustrating than seeing someone fly past you on a wave!
--When you stand up to run to the finish line, be careful to steady yourself. Your legs will suddenly feel wobbly since the blood is rushing back down into them after your body has been horizontal for so long. Don't fall!
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