Last minute ? from newbie...

A good compromise would be to drive the bike course the day before - if the roads are open. Then you can see the hills and turns and know where they are. Swim courses often times are not open for "public" swimming, but the race web site might have more information on a practice swim if it is available.

I like to do a short little run the day before the event if I can - very easy though.

Good luck!!

Depends on how far your going. 

If its a shorter I don't see anything wrong with taking an easy 15mile bike ride the day before to see the course.  I wouldn't suggest it on a 56 or 112. 

I generally try to ride the course before hand, just to see how it is. I wouldn't do a brick before your first, but an easy run prior isn't too bad either.

The day before is a zero day, and depending on the training, maybe up to two days prior - especially for these short courses.

If nothing else, drive the run/bike courses and try to get a practice swim in just before the race. You'll be fine.

As Scottyr7 mentioned, they offered a practice ride on the bike course last weekend and I tried to make it for that, but it didn't work out.  I really wish I could have made that ride.  I was just wondering if the 'comfort level' gained by making a practice run on either the swim or bike course would be worth the energy expended the day before the event.  As many of you suggested, I'll definitely drive the bike course.  I'll bring something to swim in in case they'll let me in the water.  I can go easy on the swim and not expend too much energy.

Maybe I'll see you there Scottyr7!  I'll also be 'flailing' about in the water and I'll probably be on the oldest road bike out there, 20+ year old 12 speed!

Funny thing.  I got the email yesterday about the race info and I just always assumed that my age group (35 - 39) would be one of the later 'waves'.  I figured I'd be able to sit and watch a couple of waves take off to get myself psyched and ready for my first start (since I've never even seen one of these events).  Reading the email, I found out that I'm in the first wave!  Crap!  Oh well, might as well get going, that way the butterflies won't have a chance to hang around.

FWIW: I typically drive the course..no need to ride (if you are that nervous about it, drive it twice..seriously). You will get a decent feeling of how it is. I typically take an off day two days before the event, the day before, I do a short 20-30 min check ride...nothing hard. No bricks..no running. spinning and Just enough to keep from coming out flat on race day.

On the swim, they will most likely have a practice swim on the morning of the race. Get there early. Get your transition area setup, and get a little swim practice in. Don't panic. Relax and enjoy the moment. You will do fine.

Good luck!

Driving the bike course is a good idea if you have the time to answer the "how fast can I take that turn" and "can I recover after that hill" type questions that looking at a road/topo map can't do. As a first waver, give yourself time to get in the water early and swim around, study the course and pick a line.

The race will test your fitness and will be a great experience - I wouldn't potentially compromise that by exercising on Friday. Nothing worse than the "What If's" after a race. Most of all, have fun!