I have competed in triathlons, but in two weeks, I have an X-Terra I am competing in. Is there anything special or different to consider? I don’t know much about the transition areas, but think I may be running through mud/dirt on the way to each. Do you do anything special in regards to taking wetsuits off? Do X-Terra’s have clean, grassy areas for transitions instead of dirt road like places. Thanks,
SJ
the few that i have done usually had a long run from the swim to the bike on dirt, rocky, weed paths. Had the spousal unit have some old sneaks ready for me after the swim (sorry about, corrected myself)… be prepard for that. All exept one transitiion area was in a dirt field, have some water for washing your feet. Wear socks on the run. Be prepared to get DIRTY and have lots of FUN!
Corrected…I meant shoes for after the SWIM~!just make sure they are not your usual race shoes, because it you dont have some one holding them for you,they be confiscated by another who needs them more than you!
I think that has dvfmfidc**** has covered most of the special things… definitely bring a small tupperware container or something to fill with water and quickly dunk your feet to clean them off after the run to transition; I also usually bring a big beach towel and lay it out extending outwards from the transition rack (that way it doesn’t take up any extra space for other competitors) and if I need to plop down to take off the wetsuit, I can… usually I try to take the wetsuit off standing up, but having that towel there is a good backup plan in case I’m just not balanced or coordinated that day.
But yeah, have FUN!!! You’re going to love it. Which Xterra are you doing?
I just wipe my feet with a towel and stick them in my shoes. Put your shoes on your feet not your bike; you won’t have enough room for a flying bike mount. I don’t wear socks. You will probably go through water on the bike and run and the socks will be more soggy weight to run in.
Don’t blow up on the bike. It’s very easy to go over amped and leave nothing for the run.
I don’t have to tell you to have fun, you will on your own.
Sell your road equipment; you won’t be using it anymore!
“Sell your road equipment; you won’t be using it anymore!”…
so true,beware!
Thanks for all the help. I am doing the M2 Extreme in Ellicottville, NY. Just today my LBS let me have a full suspension 29er to try out. I took it out and it felt like cheating. You may all be right, I may have to sell my road stuff to try and pay for a new Mountain Bike.
man, I don’t know how sweeney does that w/out socks! The front tire spews so much crap @ the ankle area!
You’ll know as soon as you see the trans area if you want the shoes or not, except for the Richmond course, I mostly just “pussy run” across the sticks and rocks if there are any - there’s usually some grass or a path to cruise down that isn’t so bad
I totally agree w/just wiping your feet, (you shouldn’t need that whole “bath” set-up) and putting your bike shoes on in the trans area (i do the regular “slip feet out of shoes, leave shoes attached to bike” transition to the run).
Xterras are awesome, you’ll definitely have fun