WOOHOO!!!!! Go Mel!!!! <waves QLD flag>

You'll do great! and It's OK to do other strokes no matter what the distance.

If your goal is to finish the biggest thing you need to listen to is your body. Don't try and keep up with the pack just swim the way you swim and you'll have enough energy to BURST on the bike and BURST again on the run.

The other big thing I've learned is that in our here in QLD when you're riding and running on the black hot road it's a brilliant idea to have two or three water bottles stored in transition. I had two in the caloundra tri and my BF was carrying two for when we hooked up later. One water bottle (on my bike) and the one full of endura. The Endura one was almost empty as I ran out of the transition to the run.

Oh yeah! Try and get some swim training in a canal/ocean if you can. Pumicestone passage is no where near as salty as Raby Bay is, (I can say that safely after last weekend) but still it can still shock your system. This is another reason to have three water bottles, One with more water so you can RINSE out your mouth with so you're not coughing up salt for the bike leg.

If you're doing the enticer it's a LONG time before you can pick up the bike after the tri so make sure your support crew (SO, your mum, even storing stuff in the car or in the locker) has a towel, sunscreen, extra clothes, and possibly more water or endura/gatorade/lucasaid whatever your sport drink is. Oh yeah, and a HAIRBRUSH.

Um yeah. This advice is based on what I've learned doing it locally. Sorry I just realised how long this post is! I'm just stoked you're doing this and I want you to have the best time ever!!!!