Oh my God!!! Aerobars are a gift from heaven! It's like riding your bike, laying down! You instantly gain two or more mph with less effort! Plus your hands/wrists totally get a break!! Plus, for leisurely riding later, you can rest one elbow on the pad, and your chin on your hand, and relax!! Plus, over 100+ miles, you get a different area of pressure on your undercarriage!! Who cares if you never do another tri, who cares if you're "slow"- aerobars are _so_ fun/comfortable/relaxing/perfect for a strong headwind/etc. I use them on EVERY ride, recreationally. I would HATE to not have them.

Sounds like you were doing well coming out of the swim, but then something happened at T1 or the bike. At IM, they will have wetsuit strippers- that will help. No hanging around T1- do all your eating/drinking on the bike.

No, it would not be crazy to bike the run course two or even one day before. People do it all the time. Any IM you go to- people can't stay relaxed in their rooms- they're out biking, running!! practice swimming.