I'm new to the site - tho not to Tri's! I've done 11 or 12...hmmm...but believe me, don't finish in the TOP - just finish! I do them for fun...or so I feel up to the day after!
It'll be great to have your veteran perspective here! But I hear you on the 'finish' perspective. I hope to be age group competitive someday, but fear that it won't be until I've hit my 70s when nearly all the field has turned to pie-making and other grandmotherly pursuits!! :-)
dana - I too expect to be age-group competitive sometime far in the distant future! I can qualify for "Boston" by the time I'm 60 at the present rate! :-)