Hi Cheri

Practice changing flats, it is really easy

For pure speed and low RR, the Michelins are hard to beat. They do have a bit of a reputation for being a touch squishy, but that's an individual thing. As for flats, well when you get into that category of tire, I don't know that you can exactly avoid it.

Clincher is just a name for a tire that has an inner tube vs. something called a tubular, which has no bead, and is essentially held to the rim by bonding/glue/sewing - they are used for racing at high levels. IOW, you want a clincher, not a tubular

I use kevlar tires for all my training and riding, as I am more concerned about avoiding flats than outright speed/pace. For an event, I would switch over though.

Good luck!