Lessons learned in transitioning...

I agree with Ellen -- the BEST way to practice T1 is from an open water swim. However, I didn't swim in open water nearly enough last year, and did need some T practice, I simply set up my transition area for both the bike and run -- trying to set it up the same as I would in the transition area for the Tri.

Then I did a "dry run". I put on my swimsuit & jog bra, my goggles & cap and my wet suit. I went across the room -- or garage and "pretended" the rest -- like that I was exiting the swim, taking off my goggles & cap, unzipping the wet suit on the way, then got into the next round of gear. Did the same thing after that for the run. I know this is not perfect -- the wetsuit is not wet, the feet are not wet, the distance to the area is not the samee. But I was not looking for timing all of that stuff -- I wanted to lay out my gear in a way that would make sense when I got there, be in the most advantageous spot, and not forget anything. -- where should the helpmet be, the sunglasses, the water bladder, etc., etc.. And where do I toss or put the wetsuit... etc.

Hope this makes sense.

To practice T1 you could take a shower first, though running through the house wet may not be the best idea. Or hose off in the yard to get yourself wet.

JD

I try to need as little as possible in the transition area.  The helmet stays in the aero bars with sunglasses.  If the distance is oly or longer, I keep my camelbak hanging on the bike (less likely to get stepped on by me or another competitor) and my bike shoes stay clipped in the pedals (takes practice.  I put my feet in them while riding).  So actually the only thing that I will still need after the swim that's still on the ground are my shoes.  Anything else I'll deal with afterwards.

Sharon

Let me chime in on the sock thing. I have never worn socks on a ride.At least not since I went to cycling shoes. I have riden over 192 miles in 2 days with no foot problems ( the rest of the body is a different story)8). A good pair of cycling shoes do not have foot movement to speak of . The shoe can not flex and the only thing to move is the ankle. Mind you these are in road/racing shoes. I can not speek for those wearing MTB shoes.

Joe

Yes, Phil.  I do wear socks on the bike.  I know I should learn how to do it without, but I can't bring myself to do shoes without socks.  Unfortunately, I'm not as young as I used to be and I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on, and forgot to mention them in my last post.  Hence the need to keep transition things to a minimum!  I put my socks in the shoes, with the tops sticking out so they  won't be as likely to get kicked or blown away, and they're a little easier to grab since they aren't actually on the ground.

Sharon

It wouldn't hurt to toughen up your feet -- a Tri friend of mine does that regularly.

In the few Tris I've dne, I had no problem without aqua socks, but did see a few (very few) people use them. My exits were fortunately on sand or grass, then the parking lot, which was the worst on the feet but still not all that bad. I do intend to walk around barefoot a little more this year pre-races.