half IM reality check

Sounds like Mooseman that you are doing in June.

I don't think that feeling confident that you'll finish is a BAD thing UNLESS you haven't been training. I've been putting in a good effort trying to maintain whatever training plan I can, as life permits, and am confident I'll finish; but not first in my AG. I did that course last year when EndorFun ran an Olympic on it, and the only thing that surprised me was how trashed my legs were after climbing a hill on Mile 5 when I thought I had trained "enough" for rolling hills.......

There are some very interesting Race Reports in the forum section about first timer 1/2 iron competitors - using the search function would definitely give you plenty to read!

I did my first 1/2 IM last year.  It was also my first triathlon!  The Buffalo Springs Lake 1/2 IM.  I was horribly undertrained due to work commitments.  Before the race, I had not run the full 13.1 miles at a shot (my current long run was 9), I had not biked the full 56 miles that season (maxed out at 40 and had only been riding once a week), and while I did 2000yd swim workouts, I had never swam a 1.2 continuous and never in open water.  Never mind attempting all three in one day!

I survived.  It took me 7 hours, but I survived.  And had an AWESOME time!  So much so that I'm going back this year...hopefully properly trained!  The only thing 'unexpected' that happened to me, was that when I pulled into T2 on my bike...the dude in the next row was dismantling his transition area with a big medal around his neck.

As for things I would do differently in my training...uh...actually train?  Yeah, that's it.  While proving that a solid endurance background (I've been doing mary's for many years, and had been riding centuries for a couple) will get you through the day, I now have the itch to do better instead of just finish.  I would also do at least one other tri first as 'practice'.

I could go on forever...but all I'll say, is for your first 1/2, just have a goal of finishing.  Do some shorter races to figure out what triathlon is all about, and have fun in the 1/2 IM.  :-)

Second what Paul said.  I only have one 1/2 IM under my belt, but I didn't practice correct nutrition NEARLY enough.  Practice taking in nutrition during intense workouts too, not just the easy ones.  I found that what my stomach will tolerate on an easy to moderate club ride and what my stomach will take during a race are two VERY different things.

OH, KNOW YOUR COURSE!  I actually did a 15.5 mile half-marathon on mine because a volunteer directed me to go the wrong way.  Because I hadn't really studied the course I didn't have the confidence to ignore her.