Jarrett, this was my first year to go and I found it very helpful to be there for the full week.
I didn't do the practice on Sunday and now wish that I had. The HPT surface is tricky and I do wish I'd had time on it before my run days.
The course was open all day on Monday so there was plenty of time to walk both courses.
It was great to be able to watch the competition on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The course is open for walking after each days competition as well. You get to know the times when EVERYONE is on the course and you can't see a darn thing and when there's less "traffic" so you can see what's coming up.
I worked registration on Wednesday so I did not have to work on my run days of Thursday & Friday.......many of the Texas Region folks seemed to get some "special" assignments so they did not have to work a corner. If you don't get a "special" assignment......you work the same days you run.
Long and short......if you can take the time off.........go for the whole week.
If you are running Tuesday/Wednesday....try to get there for the practice on Sunday and to walk, walk, walk on Monday. If you run Thursday/Friday, try to get there by Tuesday (Wednesday morning by the latest) so you can get registered and watch the competition on Wednesday (FYI.....registration closes Wednesday afternoon......no registration on Thursday morning unless you make special arrangements).