I am trying to get ready for Steelhead for my first half IM. I am alittle old for this, but you got to start sometime. I am doing my first Olympic of the year this weekend. I started last year and did one in the fall. I rode the Madison IM bike loop last week twice in one day for 85 miles last week. I am signed up for Madison this fall. Good luck at Steelhead.
Good luck. I did it last year and it was very well run and a great course. They changed the run this year so I am interested to see the change. The bike portion is a pretty hilly ride but I still had a decent time on it (for me). I also had a very fast swim because you swim with the current. Good luck and have fun.