Advice needed for first time open water swim competition

In a week I'm swimming in my first open water swim. I have been practicing in a pool, doing laps, going a little more than the distance of the swim. I've also swum laps at the local lake.

The not seeing bottom thing and the swimming into people thing don't really bother me. I'm just going to stay to the back and side of the pack. I am worried that I will get there, see the course and how far it really is, and FREAK OUT (even though I've been practicing that distance, just back and forth instead of a straight line.)

Any advice from open water swimmers out there about this or any other open water swimming advice is very welcome!

Thanks in advance.

Sat. Jul 15, 1:53am

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