Welcome to TSC!!
Don't worry about being a n00b, because we were all n00bs at one stage (and in fact I still consider myself somewhat n00bish!). Although I'm not very experienced myself with Unleashed and Generations, the site boasts many skilled players who should be willing to help you out. The best advice I can give you is to watch the videos on the site (and read some guides) to make yourself familiar with speedrunning routes, techniques and strategies, to ask around in the chat-room and forum for hints and tips (don't worry, most of us are nice, but be cautious of the ravenous Thorn), and (most importantly) to keep practicing! In future, if you decide to compete in other Sonic titles which I own, I may be able to give you a hand in some areas.
Finally, enjoy the competition, and I hope you have success in the rankings! You seem like an eager player, and forgive me for posting cheesy quotes, but "Believe you can and you're halfway there" - Theodore Roosevelt. Good luck! :D (Also Thorn is a nice guy, the beast thing is just an immature inside joke that came about during the marathon XD.)
