What you're going through sounds pretty normal to me. That's how a taper should feel. Check out this article by Mark Allen.

Thanks for the replies, my fellow trifuel brothers, I'm feeling better already with your words of wisdom.

Anton, I lost 15 pounds gradually since Jan. 1st.

Fifytcent, that article was dead on!

What I also didn't say in my initial post was that in my job as a Police Officer this week I have been on 2 death scenes. On one, I had to notify a 17 year old boy his father was dead. This has been on my mind and I know a career of seeing this stuff on a regular basis has to affect you in some way. Well, I try to talk it out with my wife and family, and venting here helps. Thanks for reading and thanks for the advice. I though, am very much alive and looking forward to kicking a** on Sunday.

Thanks buddy!

It didn't go well. Out of all the tri's, marathons, races, bodybuilding competitions, I've done in my life, this was the worst, and also my only DNF ever. I panicked and started hyperventiating during the swim. I couldn't catch my breath, even though the swim is (or should I say was) my favorite and strongest of the 3 disciplines. I was swimming 3 times a week usually 2000 yards a pop for the past 3 months to train for this race. I was even swimming in the ocean, alone, once a week with my wetsuit. I have always attacked the open water with no fear. I am a certified scuba diver and veteran of dozens of deep water wreck dives. Last year I did 5 tri's, and was drinking beer the night before, and smoking cigars every now and then. I had great races, got 2 second places in my age group, and had a great time with no problems. For this race I quit the beer, no cigars, lost weight, etc.

I was feeling short of breath and anxiety in the pool last week but was just hoping I could shrug it off. Well, I couldn't. No shortness of breath or anxiety while biking and running though, and a clean bill of health from a cardiologist. During the swim I kept telling myself to calm down, breathe calmly, nothing worked. I had a panic attack 1/2 mile from shore. I just don't get it. I don't want to quit this lifestyle, I love it so much. And forget duathlons, I AM A TRIATHLETE! There is a sprint this weekend 5 miles from my house and my wife is strongly suggesting I do it, you know the old get back up on the horse that threw you. I just don't know. I can say that I never want to have a panic attack again in open water. It was a scary experience. I have finished tri's with flat tires, shin splints, blisters, jellyfish stings, sea lice, races where they've run out of water, but I was not ready for this.

Today's quote at school:
"Experience is a difficult teacher. First comes the test, then the lesson."
Sorry to hear about your race...don't get down...take time and try to put a finger on why you had panic problems. You CAN get a handle on it. We have all had BAD swims and one point or another.
For what it's worth, my advice would be to have a couple beers and go do the sprint...no time expectations...no goal inflation...don't go hard in the swim, just get through it. Most of this game is mental... and mental is fixable.

Thank you all so much for your responses. I really appreciate them. Today, I ran 5 miles easy with my wife. Tomorrow, she is going to accompany me to the pool. I am very lucky to have her support. Hopefully no more hyperventilating and fast heartbeat while swimming.

Like every one else says just shake it off it's all mental and that is a problem you can fix :)