So the final results are up on the Ironman Coeur d’Alene and I as so pleased to see that I have the fastest T2 time of anyone. Just 56 seconds!!! I may not be fast anywhere else on the course, but I sure can cruise through a transition. I am pretty sure I can shave another 5 or 6 seconds off too.
It was great race, I as disappointed to not be allowed to ride my fixie but still clocked a 6:08 bike split on my steel round tube single speed. I am cool with that.
Oh, I really need more swim training. Those waves on the second loop kicked my butt.
56 seconds is pretty dang fast for an IM transition. It must of been a pretty small transition area because I remember at IMLou it probably took me 56 seconds just to make it to the changing tent.
In the last few miles of the bike course, I removed my gloves and put them on my aero extensions. I took my glasses and put them under my helmet straps. I loosened my shoe straps (I wear full three strap with ratchet bike shoes). I Could save time at this point by taking my feet out of my shoes, but I had never done that before. In the last 100 yards, I turned my number around so they could get a good read quickly and find my transition bag really fast.
At the bike hand off, I was sure to look right at the volunteer that would take my bike so he knew he was my guy. I dismounted handed off quickly and ran directly toward my T2 bag and yelled my number, a lady had it by the time I got to it. I was jumping over the rows of bags so I could take a straight line to the tent. on the way while running I unclipped my helmet and removed my running shoes from the T2 bag, as soon as I entered the tent the first volunteer that made contact with me was right at the door. I dropped the bag, nodded my head to drop my helmet, I kicked off my shoes and continued to run. I bet I stopped moving for less than 3 seconds. I had my socks, some gels, and tape in my shoe toe boxes.
So here is where my time is a bit misleading. My “shoes” are pretty minimal. In fact, I don’t really wear them at all and run nearly all the time barefoot. But the only thing that prevents me from running barefoot is heat. I was worried that CdA would be sunny and warm, the worst combination. I sure was right to pack some shoes in case. By mile 3 I knew the pavement was going to be too hot so I donned my shoes then.
The next 23 miles in shoes was the farthest I have run shod for over 4 years. I love running in those NB minimus but I need to practice it more, it sure ripped up my feet. I could have prevented a lot of the blister damage if I had practiced where to tape or lube.
Help me understand why you would you try so hard to use equipment that is slower on the bike, yet you would try so hard to have a fast T2.
Why not make T2 more difficult as well? Instead of running through transition why not somersault? Oh! Even better… Change into (and then out of) a Santa costume. That will get you some attention!!!
56 seconds is pretty dang fast for an IM transition. It must of been a pretty small transition area because I remember at IMLou it probably took me 56 seconds just to make it to the changing tent.
I had one of the top5 transitions in a big race earlier this year. It was because I forgot my wetsuit and everyone else had one though, so I lost that time and then some in the water:).
