ANY Last minute advice?!!? THis is my first Half IRON baby !
Congrats - you’ve picked a great race for your first half!
The whole event is top shelf. I did the race last year. The biggest factor for me was the heat and humidity, so to that end and assuming it will be the same this year, be sure you are dialed in with your nutrition and hydration.
The bike is rolling, but with a few challenging hills and some great flats. Watch your effort the last 5-8 miles on the bike! There are some challenging rollers as you head back to transition. Don’t be impatient (like I was) trying to get back to the transition area. The 10 or so miles prior to this rolling section are pretty flat. This is a good place to hydrate and get some calories in for the run.
If I remember correctly, the bike is pretty exposed. Some sections of the run are exposed (esp. the hill @ around mile 8 you’ve probably heard about), but there is a good bit of shade as well. The first and last 1.5 miles of the run are in a really nice park/waterfront area. Nice and flat before you head into town and start to climb a few hills. Use the flat section to get a rhythm going on the way out. On the way back in, when you hit the park for the second time, realize you still have about 1.5 to go! The mind can play tricks on you here (“Hey…I’m in the park…must be almost there!”).
I’d also check out the swim exit. I got a few pretty good little cuts on my feet from the mussels…enough to turn my bike shoes pink during the bike. There is some good advice on the race site for dealing with this.
Good luck and hope this helps…Chris
Just have fun. This race is incredibly well organized. The previous poster nailed the course as I remember it - and pray for less heat and humidity than the last two years. I am in for the Double after doing the Half in 2005.
Weather forecast thus far is overcast Sat and Sun with high of 74 on sat and 77 on sun.
My advice…
Have fun and enjoy the view. This bike cousre will take you through Amish country, so don’t be suprised if you come upon a group of well dressed men and / or women riding their bikes to church. It’s funny… they will look at you just as inquisitively as you look at them 
Bike course, the second half feels down hill. Try to unroll the carpet so to speak.
The run;
1st 2 miles flat along the Lake (last 2 miles flat along the lake)
Miles 2-4 ish a little more up then down, and then some good rollers.
Again the last 2 are flat, and you can see finish line from 2 miels away (ouch).
Stop by on Saturday for the Mini Mussel… better yet hang aroun in the afternoon to see Victor Plata, Brian Rhodes, Alicia Kaye, Heid Grimm and other awesome pros take it to each other in the ITU pro race. It’s a several - looped course sure to be great for spectators.
Have fun!
Mary
Heading up to the race on Friday and am pretty psyched for the ITU race (who is racing?) and what looks to be a fast course. Anyone know how long it takes to get to Geneva from NYC?
Marcelene says:
“Jerr? Do they really have Muscley men there?”
“Jerr? Isn’t Geneva in Switzerland?”
“Jerr? Who is this Lumpy dude? Do you think he is actually lumpy or just some dude named Tom?”
I’ll see you there - it’s going to be awesome. Do you know if there is any race weekend contact details for the RD or organisation?