Well, they say that you never forget your first. I will never forget my first open water swim. I came into this race with about 2 months of pool swimming (the first two months of swimming in my life) brimming with completely unfounded confidence. I was just sure that I was going to tear that water up. About 40 yards in, I was looking to the banks of Tempe Town Lake for a good spot to exit. I was able to gut out the swim - it was brutal. The run was not much better. I had a strong urge the entire way to kneel down and kiss the ground. I'll give myself two stars for getting out there on that morning for my first ever open water, but as for performance, I have to give it a 1.