it's heeeere! Gulf Coast Half Ironman

I'll be leaving on Thursday to head to Panama City Beach FL for the Gulf Coast Half Ironman on Saturday...my first triathlon! I think I'll be adequately prepared... definitely could have done more work on the road, but I at least have the endurance thing down (both mental & physical). Finishing the swim and then surviving the heat & sun are my main concerns. My parents are driving up which will be very cool - first race they've seen me in! Updates & results are supposed to be posted here during the race. My age group starts at 6:35am. I'll begin with a 1.2mile swim in the Gulf of Mexico, followed by a 56mile bike, and ending with a 13.1mile run (or should I go ahead and call it a walk?!) I'm really not sure how long this should take me, but I'm guessing between 6 & 7 hours. Of course I'll write a full report ... pending my survival!