First Time Transitions

Welcome and cognrats for signing up for your first tri.  Don't really need a lot of goodies to start out.

Re: transitions - Unless there is a changing tent (which I doubt), if you are going to switch you'll have to do the old "surfer towel" trick and change under that.  It's fine, but they're pretty strict about "no nudity" policies (so don't let the towel drop )

One alternative is to swim, bike and run in your bike shorts.  Practice it beforehand, bt I've seen people do it.

Another is to pick up a pair of tri shorts.  Basically bike shorts with a thinner pad.  Most people do shorter races in just tri shorts (and a top)

If it's a sprint with a relatively short bike leg, you could probably also get away with just biking in your swimsuit or throwing a pair of running shorts on over it.

But I'd agree with the other posters, first choice would be a pair of tri shorts, which you can wear for all three events.

ETA:  Oh, and you should probably understand that in your first race, your transitions will probably suck--either because you're trying to hurry too much and forget something important, or because you're going too slowly and methodically with a lot of wasted motion.  Or more likely a combination of both.  And yes, even if you practice, because race-day adrenalin will mess with your head.  Think it out/practice in advance, get through the race, don't worry too much about time, and learn your lessons for your next race...

Ack!  you mean I'm suppose to be nervous about transitions?  It just seems so straightforward. I guess we'll see how I feel after the first mini tri! 

you really don't need that pad of the tri-shorts Matt, I am getting old and find it necessary - even in a sprint distance

or just go completely retro and do the entire race in a speedo.  It worked for the pros in the 80's.....

Seriously though...the simpler the better.  Do things like velcro your gloves (if you use them) to your bike and stick your glasses in your helmet, so when you get out of the water all you have to worry about is putting on shoes and a helmet and going.  Same with the run.  Have your shoes ready to go, so you just need to slip them on and take off.  Oh yea, do remember to take off your helmet in T2..... Especially if you already have it on backwards. 

They use Yankz or something similar.  I did a transition last night to practice and it was just as fast as them.  I unbuckled my shoes before getting off the bike, pulled one foot out, hopped off at the right time, ran up to my transition area, took off my helmet, pulled on my shoes and was off. 

www.yankz.com

the biggest time saver is the 'flying dismount' where you are out of your shoes before hitting the dismount line.  This only works really well with tri shoes (velcro that open outward), but can be done with normal shoes.  I suggest you practice first on the trainer, then on an isolated road before trying it at a race.  You really need to know how long it will take to get your feet so you can time it coming into transition.

I personally wouldn't worry about speed laces for now.  If your shoes are loose enough to slip your foot in, tieing will cost you a whole 5 seconds.  If you are at the point where 5 seconds is significant, call your sponsor and tell them to buy you some Zoot shoes.

The technique (supposedly, I've never tried it) is to use a rubber band around the shoe to keep it top-side-up while you're running to the mount line, have the velcro tab open (again a lot easier with triathlon-style shoes which have only one velcro tab that opens outward), jump on and start pedaling with your feet on top of the shoes and then get your feet into the shoes once you've got some speed up.

Your choice on the socks.  I usually bike without and put them on in T2, I feel like that gives the sand a chance to fall off my feet.  Putting socks on is easier if you have them rolled most of the way down so you can just stick your toes in and then roll them on.  Best if you've got some kind of marking so you know which side is up.

In my opinion, I would just get them anyway.  You can get a pair of bungee type laces that work great for 5 bucks.  Even more importantly for me:  As well as being a couple seconds faster, I find them more comfortable, they don't need adjustment after you have them set up, and they can't come untied.

It's a little insurance too.  It may only save you 10 seconds in T2, but how much time could you also lose if you have to stop on the course to re-tie then once or twice if they are too tight/loose or if the get untied?

Whenever I buy a new pair of shoes, I always buy a pair of matching bungee laces and swap them out before my first run.  I wear them all the time.  If they had them for my dress shoes, I might even dork out and put them on!  (just kidding about the dress shoes!)

Oye!  I just read this and can't believe all the details you need to know!!   My stomach is in knots just thinking about it all.  I've just started training for my first race (quickly becoming addicted!) but I can't even decide between doing a "Give-it-a-Try" tri or a real one!!  I have started a 20 week plan and based on my current activity level I'm already at the "Month 3" mark so maybe I should just try a real tri.  It's all *very* intimidating in addition to being *very* exciting!!

Good information... especially the videos - I was curious about the whole transition thing too. 

Thanks

For the first Tri, don't worry about the fancy mounts/dismounts.  They take practice, are risky (can fall), and in some cases, may not even be faster unless you're really proficient.  (I put on cycling shoes in T1, can run in them through transiation, and can jump onto my moving bike.  I regularly pass people wobbling on their bike still trying to get into their shoes.)

Dismounts are less risky, but you need to practice beforehand, both for your own safety and forthers in the dismount area.

Elastic laces are a worthwhile timesaver with minimal risk.

Thanks for the thought!  my old Sauconys were always coming undone.  the current version seems a better lace, but, yeah, when you're i the zone, who needs a shoelace tie break?  I'd probably fall over and roll into the ditch.