Race Goals for Beach 2 Battleship...3 days

In my classroom I place an emphasis on goal setting.  Each quarter students create goals that are both school related and out of school related.  We have a lesson early in the year on how to set specific and measurable goals that have deadlines.  I use their goal sheets throughout the quarter to inquire about progress.  I like to be able to model goal setting for them.  My first quarter goal was to weigh under 160 lbs. by October 12th.  My starting weight was 176 lbs.  I put a plan together and posted it in my classroom.  Each week I updated where I was at.  On October 12th I hit the scale at 155 lbs.  Although the 6 week lead-in to this race was not flawless it was solid and I feel good about my current fitness.  I was able to get in 5 runs of 17 or more miles, and 5 bike rides of 100+ miles.  Those were both positives.  The negative was that I had to reduce the overall volume I typically do while preparing for an Ironman distance race due to soreness in my right knee.  As I gave my class my final update on Monday and outlined my specific goals for the race I told them I have only 2 things that I worry about...both which are out of my control so I don't actually lose any sleep over them. 
1.  Mechanical issues- I've had this one time in an Ironman distance event...my first one ever and it sucked.  It is beyond my control if I get a flat tire or have other problems so I will just pray it doesn't happen. 
2.  Tightness in my back- lately I've been dealing with some tightness in my lower back and I don't know what that will mean with a 5 hour bike on a course that is good for staying in the aero position nearly the entire time.  I've had some long rides where I was forced to get off the bike to stretch my back.  I'd like for this to not be an issue on race day. 

My goals for the race are...
Swim: Under 45 minutes (we should have a strong tide at our back on the swim
Bike: Under 4 hrs. 52 minutes (Something I did on this course 2 years ago)
Run: Marathon PR of under 3 hrs. 8 minutes (I've been under 3:10 on 3 occasions but never under 3:08)
Transitions: Under 8:00 total (I initially said under 7:00 but the reality is I'll probably run better if I spend a minute stretch in transition before heading out on the run)

Overall I'll be thrilled if I see anything with an overall time that starts with the number 8.  Hopefully that would put me in the top 5 so I can earn some money for the iHope Foundation.  There are 9 pro males racing and I'm not one of them.  Most are guys I can be competitive with.  The weather is supposed to be outstanding with highs around 70 degrees and lows around 50.  The wind out of the north means we will have wind hurting speeds in the first half but helping in the 2nd half.  I feel good about my nutrition as this will be the 10th time I've started one of these events and I've learned a little bit from each of the past 9 experiences.  This will be my last Ironman for at least 2 years.  Hoping to make it my fastest one yet!  You can follow along at www.beach2battleship.com  I'm not sure how many timing mats they will have but I do know they will at least update swim and bike overall times.  I don't know if they have many other timing mats out on course or not.  Can't wait to get to Wilmington, NC!  I have so many awesome memories from my first win at this distance coming at this race 2 years ago.  DREAM BIG!!