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I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please!
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Hi! I am a strict cyclist, but I was a competitive swimmer for eight years, and run half marathons, so I thought I would put it all together and do some tris! I am a time trial specialist, so the bike part is not new to me, but I am just freaked out about how make it all go smoothly. I am a bit nervous, because I am not sure how transitions will be. It is just a sprint triathlon, but I don't want to make a fool of myself! Any advice for making smooth transitions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

"Live free or die: death is not the worst of evils." -General John Stark
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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The best way to feel better about the transitions is to practice them. The full T1 practice is harder, (but definitely practice getting out of your wetsuit (assuming you're wearing one) at least once or twice before race day) but you can practice getting into your bike gear and heading out then do the same thing for T2. I would set my stuff up in a parking lot near a bike loop that was closed to traffic, have my husband watch it and then do a couple of drills where I'd ride a loop on the bike then do a quick T2 (timed, even!) and then do a short run. Having the hubby there helped a lot, he would see things where I could streamline the sequence, but if you had a garage you could eliminate this step.

I was so nervous about the transitions, even with the practices, I would repeat the steps in my head when I felt anxious about it. By the time race day rolled around, I felt so much calmer and smoother than I expected. With your background, you're going to smoke your race, so just remember to relax and HAVE FUN!

Good luck, I'm looking forward to the race report...

M

------------------------------------------------------------
The beatings will continue until morale improves
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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Like Michelle said, practice. And also visualize them. Think it through from the last few strokes of the swim to heading out on the run.

clm

clm
Nashville, TN
https://twitter.com/ironclm | http://ironclm.typepad.com
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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I'd also add wear one thing throughout the whole race. Don't try to go from swimsuit to bike shorts and jersey to running clothes. Get trishorts/top or suit and that will save you a whole lot of grief not having to worry about clothes. All you have then is helmet/shoes (socks optional)/glasses (skip gloves). Then running shoes and race number. Keep it as simple as you can. I like a small towel that I set my things on, then a second small hand towel that I can do a quick dry of my feet before the shoes go on (especially if you had to run through sand).

have fun!
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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Excellent advice here already. I'll just add to relax and enjoy your first race. It's something you will always remember. With your background, you're going to smoke it!
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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Here's how my transitions work. Seeing how simple it is might help.

Pre-Race:
  • I wear a one-piece tri suit so I don't have to change. I bike in my running shoes because I'm too cheap to buy cycling shoes, and I also don't want to mess with extra shoes in the transition area.
  • I lay out a beach towel to define my spot in the transition area.
  • I put my bike on the far right edge of the towel. I put my helmet on the aero bars of my bike and put my sunglasses in my helmet.
  • On the towel, I put my duffel bag. In front of my duffel bag, I lay out my shoes, race belt, and running hat.


T1:
  • Remove top of wetsuit as I run from swim exit to transition area
  • At transition spot remove bottom of wetsuit, throw wetsuit on top of bag.
  • Remove goggles and put on glasses (Most people remove goggles en route to transition area, but I can't see without my RX goggles..) -- throw goggles on top of wetsuit
  • Put on shoes (no socks) -- I sit for this.
  • After standing up, put on race belt (with number) and move number to back so it won't get in the way on bike.
  • Take helmet from bike handlebars, put it on and fasten it
  • Grab bike and briskly walk to exit of T1.

T2:
  • Put bike back on rack
  • Remove helmet, throw it on top of wetsuit
  • Grab running hat
  • Put on running hat and move number to my front as I briskly walk to exit of T2.




"Real winners aren't content with yesterday's victories"
Last edited by: SaraJean: Apr 4, 08 7:19
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [SaraJean] [ In reply to ]
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Thank you all so much for helping me out! I will post results. Thanks again.

"Live free or die: death is not the worst of evils." -General John Stark
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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Get some Yankz laces (or something similar) for your running shoes. That'll save you 20 seconds easy.

Then, practice your transitions like every one else said. Also, getting snug clothing on over wet skin (post swim) doesn't work very well at all. Think your clothing choices through carefully.


Behold the turtle! He makes progess only when he sticks his neck out. (James Bryant Conant)
GET OFF THE F*%KING WALL!!!!!!! (Doug Stern)
Brevity is the soul of wit. (William Shakespeare)
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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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When I started out I seriously had my 7 year old timing me in the bathroom. I would lay out my towel with all of my gear exactly how I wanted it and then put on my wet suit. He would tell me to go and seriously I would go through it 4-5 times. After that you get pretty good at figuring out how best to get your arms out and what order to put on all of your stuff. I also go faster with each time which was great. I know it seems extreme but we had a ball and it shaved off a bit of time.

COtrimom


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Re: I'm a cyclist new to tris, my first is in a month...advice please! [jak rabbit] [ In reply to ]
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Just wanted to add my $.02 - as others have said, practice, practice, practice. I didn't before my 1st tri and I'm sure it was very entertaining to see me trying to wrestle a tight tank top over my wet body.

A race belt and yanks or some other kid of elastic laces are some of the best $5 investments you can make. They will also save you a lot of frustration. You don't want to be messing with a shirt with a pinned on number or trying to tie your shoes. A tri suit is definitely a great thing to have, the less you have to put on or take off the better.

Good luck, with your background I'm sure you will do great, have a blast and be addicted for life!
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