Need Some Truthful Opinions

if you want to do it and think you are healthy enough to then do it.  it sounds like a beginners race for people to test the sport, so treat it as that.  over the next few days check over your equipment to make sure everything works and maybe get in some time on the bike and in the pool.  if you do decide to do it don't stress out, just go into the race looking to have fun and not worry about hitting any specific time.

You already paid for it, if you are healthy then go ahead and do it. Experience is always preferable, will help you in your next race. Don't worry about what anyone else is doing or what their pace is. Do your race and look at it as a learning experience.

First, sorry to hear about your Lupus diagnosis.  My suggestion would be to discuss things with your doctor before making any decisions.  A lot of folks with Lupus lead very active lifestyles, but you might want to know more about what you're dealing with before pushing yourself too hard. 

Good luck to you.

Mark

2nd on just do it for the experience.  If you are confident you can do the swim then go at it as a training event.  Then your next race you can try to hammer it.  If you're too competetive and you feel like you'll be wasting your time or hurt yourself then wait for another race.  Bear in mind there's a bit of a learning curve in the beginning so taking your first race a bit easy is not the worst thing in the world.

Rule 1:  Paid for it?  Check

Rule 2: Healthy enough for it?  Check - assuming your Dr. says so.

If Rule 1 and 2 are a yes then DO IT!

Regarding what to expect,  would go into this expecting to cross the finish line and to be able to call myself a "TRIATHLETE". 

Don't worry about others.  Run your own race, according to your own abilities.  And most importantly, have fun.

You might come in first in the "athletes recently diagnosed with Lupus" division!  

Lupus isn't contagious, so your risk of infecting others is minimal.  

The exertion may slow your overall recovery, but it may still be worth doing the race.  Talk to your doctor and see what you can expect while you're exerting yourself and also in the days and weeks after the race.  

You can look up results from previous years and compare what you think you can do with what others did.  You may find you aren't even the "slowest."

Assuming you race, don't worry what others think or say...most of them won't know what you're experiencing.  

I totally agree!  If you're healthy enough to complete the race, I think this is the perfect opportunity.   Write a race report after so we can hear how you did!

Good luck!  I'm sure you'll do fine.  Just remember to relax, don't go out too fast on the swim, and most important, have fun!

Mark