Triathlon - Advice Needed

Or at least some encouragement please. ;)

I am going to be participating in the Memphis in May Tri this year in the mixed relay catagory. Our swimmer is very strong (teaches a masters swim class) our runner is an accomplished marathon runner. ANd then there is me. A strong intermediate rider (at best) who has never entered a biking competetion in his life. Obviously I'm a bit nervous. I know it's going to be a blast and I'm not worried about finishing. THe distance is no big deal. I have only a few goals- have a good time, work really hard, try to average around 20 mph. I normally "train" during my commutes to work and 2 or so group rides a week (a 20 mile and a 30 mile). One huge variable is that I will (if all works as planned) be riding a borrowed "race" bike. I'll have it for a week before the event so I can put my pedals and seat on it and try to get settled on it as well as possible. Use of my bike is just out of the question. (road converted MTB)
You guys and gals have any advice concerning nutrition, planning or anyhting that you'd like to share? I'd be VERY grateful.

I'm really excited about being asked to participate in this event and believe that my goals are pretty realistic. I keep telling myself that I'm just in for the experience but I do feel a bit of performance anxiety- hoping to not let my teammates down.

How long is the biking portion?

As far as never entering a race, you'll be fine. I'm assuming it's a no drafting race, which means you'll basically just be on a really hard solo ride. Look at it that way, and just ride your race. Go balls to the wall though, as you don't have to save anything for the run!

the bike portion is only 25 flat miles. Right. No drafting.. as i understand it. Pulling up what rules I can find on the site.

http://www.mimtri.racesonline.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.home

So at a duration of more than 1 but less than 2 hours, my opinion of your nutrition issues are primarily hydration and electrolytes, with maybe 100-200 quickly digestible calories at the start washed down with some water. Trying something new on race day (food, drink, etc.) can lead to unexpected surprises so sticking to what has worked on your group rides is usually a good idea.

Your biggest factors to reaching your goal of 20mph are going to be: (1) your engine, (2) your familiarity with the borrowed bike, and (3) your aerodynamics.

You're going to find that the borrowed bike will work your muscles slightly differently than your bike. That's potentially a problem. Ideally you would have more time with the bike and an aero bar you could get used to. Barring that, you'll want to ride with your hands down in the drops during the entire ride so make sure the fit of the borrowed bike will accomodate that.

--Steve

Update- I put about 170 miles on the borrowed bike in the week before the tri. Glad I did. It was the last 2 "serious" training rides that i became more comfortable with the bikes geometry, gearing, etc. THe bike is an older Cannondale team comp alum w/steel fork, dura-ace (no aero bar). Probably weighed somewhere right at 20 lbs.
I finished with a time of 1:11:22 averaging 20.6 mph. Came in 6th out of 24 for my categary (mixed relay). Had 3 minor cramps(right calf, left hammy and a stich in my side) that worked themselves out pretty quickly. I drank plain water. I might have avoided those little cramps had I prepared another drink type. Fortunately my cramps coencided with the halfway point where volunteers passed gatoraide. I couldn't handle anymore than 2 quick sips from the bottle before I tossed it. My jersey was crammed with gear- or I would have stuffed that bottle back there too. Wish I did anyway. Ran out of water about 6 miles from the end. But the lack of water at that point didnt much matter. Had a wonderful time and beat my expected time of 1:20:00 by 9 minutes. Very pleased.

Hooray! Congrats. Did you have FUN? You didn't mention that part!

Congratulations for surpassing your goal!!!!! Sounds like you had a great experience! ...now, on to MORE racing! ;)

Yes, I had SO much fun. So much in fact I think my coworkers are tired of it already. lol.

Yeah, I have caught myself looking at upcomming events.