Overcoming Open Water Swimming

For a long time I have been very nervous about the open-water portion of the Ironman.  In Coeur d'Alene the water is just about the same temperature as they bay and from what I read it can be pretty choppy.  I decided a while ago that I did not want to have a repeat of IM 70.3 New Orleans where it took me well over half the 1.2 mile swim to calm down.  That in mind I have been planning for months to start open-water swimming.  Originally, I was going to have my friend follow me in a kayak but that never really worked out.  I did find a group in Berkeley, Odyssey Open Water Swimming which I have been swimming with on Tuesdays for the past couple of Tuesdays.  Initially, the first Tuesday it was just getting used to swimming in a wetsuit as well as getting used to the water.  That evening the water was fairly calm and it was a good vibe with just two other lady swimmers-- a ladies night of sorts.  I went back last Tuesday and the water was "choppy" I could see the water white-capping and was a bit nervous.  The triangle of buoys was set to be just about a mile but decided before the swim not to swim entirely to the second buoy as the water was a bit too wavy for me.  I would say I cut off the last 100 and made sure my Kayaker who watches over the swim knew I was heading to the second buoy.  At that point I felt as if I was not swimming at all just staying put as the current was pushing me in the right direction of the buoy but off to the left a bit.  I managed to get there and one of the better swimmers caught up to me. As she did, a wind-surfer got very close--too close for comfort.  The whole time I was swimming ten strokes then put my head above the water. Coming from pool swimming this is the best I could do to remain calm. I noticed that my new partner was having some trouble with the swim as well.  We both chatted a minute and both seemed a bit nervous but I know I appreciated the company.  Upon rounding the second buoy I got very panicky.  And all I have read about the IM open water swim is deep-breathe, float on your back if you need to--just stay calm.  BUT let me say when you are starting to panic that does not work.  It takes the rational part of your head to offer viable suggestions.  "calm down, float on your back" and of course "just stand up".  Lucky for me the tide was going out and it was just about to hit low tide and I could stand.  From that point I was fine, I took breaks and finished up.  At the doc the other swimmer was scrapping mud off her face as the bottom is pure slimy mud.  I came to find out that she was in panic mode as well.  As much as I hate that kind of water, doing the worst and most difficult of swims, hills, etc. etc., will only prepare me more for the IM course. All in all my solution is: in training to do the things that I dislike and do them often.  For me that is once a week open-water swim and biking and running hills.

Jeannine