Planning for Kansas

I like to review old races while planning for the next ones:
2008 GI: 5:58 S=45:12 B=3:03 R=2:07
2009 SoR: 5:27 S=32:44 B=2:49 R=1:59
2009 Halfmax: 6:07 S=46:31 B=2:59 R=2:15

TAPER: Already started. My biggies for this week include Tues speedwork (only 1m TT) and Wed speedwork, both with plenty of recovery time. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

SWIM: The swim times sometimes include the run to T1. SoR swim was short. If the NT swims are any indication, my swim has improved to where I can do a 40 min 1.2 miler. So there's my first goal: as close to 40 or under. Calm, good form, get out of the water with a clear head ready to ride.

BIKE: I hear this one is hilly, with flat stretches. I've read some race reports that say the hills aren't that bad. But I like hills, and if today's ride (very little of 150+) is any indication, my HR doesn't climb all that high and I recover fast. I hate to set a time goal on a challenging course. But a sub-3 would be nice. Keep the HR low, don't kill the legs, and drink water!

RUN: The hills profile shows only 2 hills, 2 valleys actually that look to be the same ones run twice. It's described as fast and flat, with a 0.25 mile hill. The forecast is high of 86 so the heat might be building by run time, but the course description also says "shaded". Again, holding myself to a time standard is less ideal. Let's stick to execution standards: First loop at comfy pace (whatever that happens to be), don't get high HR over stress, consume water!

Overall nutrition based on recent planning:
Prerace: banana, Lara Bar, eggs
Just before swim: 1 gel, Powerbar?
On the bike: bring 3-4 gels, salted cashews, cytomax bottles
On the run: bring 1-2 gels, ***, gum
Post: Ensure, banana, PB Recovery

***Gatorade Endurance is the drink provided in IM races. I'd better at least try the stuff and see how it works for me, because if I need it in a pinch for any of these races, I'd hate to find out how it works on race day! I think it was served at the GO!26.2, it was good and didn't upset the tummy. But more testing is in order!