Eating solid foods during the Tinman is not necessary and may cause more problem than it is worth. Keep Iit Short and Sweet. A lot of time can be taken off your overall time if you'll spend time practicing your transitions. Every 30 seconds can be equivalent to 100-300 meters on the bike or equal to 5 seconds a mile faster for your run split. Not that you shouldn't enjoy yourself during the race, but by having a plan with logical steps to take in each transition, you can not only improve your time with very little effort but also increase your enjoyment by reducing stress and frustration.
Most elite racers take a minimalist approach to transitions.
But even the average participant can still save time and energy, even doing a complete clothes exchange, if they'll only take a thoughtful approach to the whole process. If you are not used toswimming in the ocean, make sure to do a few open water swims. Swimming in the ocean is a lot different than in a pool. These swims will not only help you become more confident, but also help you learn how to swim in a straight line by using distant objects to aim toward. Stay relaxed as you've already finished one third of the race.