I am competeing in my first relay this sunday. More or less to give a couple of “on the fence athletes” a taste of tri. Any tips or definite don’ts for a relay?
go as fast as you can b/c you don’t have to do another event after it…
that part I got, I’m planning on throwing up after my bike leg (planning, expecting, same thing)
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I don’t really have any experience in relays, but this is what comes to mind:
From a “fast overall time” standpoint, you might want to familiarize yourself with getting the timing chip strap on/off quickly, as your team may have to exchange the chip between legs. Also, as notafish said, give your leg whatever you’ve got, no holding back.
Also, prepare to become addicted…
Hope that helps :o)
From my limited relay experiences:
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Be clear on exactly where you will make the hand-off of the timing chip — i.e. swimmer will look for biker screaming and waving their arms at end of your bike rack. Biker will remove chip from swimmer and put in on before mounting bike and leaving. Be clear on where you can meet the swimmer—biker waiting with bike at the end of the rack OR only while your bike is still racked.
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If you are really competing with other teams, the team members may be marked in a way that clearly distinguishes them from age-groupers, such as an ‘R’ or ‘X’ body-marked under their number. If you pass another team, you will know it by looking at their body-marking. If you are in it just for the satisfaction, go as hard as you can and don’t save anything for the end of your segment.
Keith
Have the bike-leg person warming up on rollers/trainer while the swim is going on. This way, he/she can attack the bike leg straight out of the transition area.