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2009-08-14 11:56 AM

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: Work on those transitions, folks.
Had a friend just now point this out to me:

In my race last weekend, I finished first in my AG. 

The guy behind me in my AG beat me on the swim and run, and on the three main disciplines would have beat me by 1:12.
But I had great transitions, including the fastest T1 in the race, beat his transition times by 1:42 and won the AG by 30 seconds.

Just hope he doesn't catch on!



Edited by the bear 2009-08-14 11:57 AM


2009-08-14 12:03 PM
in reply to: #2348744

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Awesome!  Congratulations!

2009-08-14 12:17 PM
in reply to: #2348744

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Master
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.

That is fantastic Bear!  I cringe when a guy in front of me beats me by 7 seconds, 10 seconds, 4 seconds.  Arrrrrrrgh!

It can come down to transition time for sure!  Great job!

2009-08-14 12:32 PM
in reply to: #2348744

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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Excellent! 

Usually I just want to finish the transitions
2009-08-14 12:37 PM
in reply to: #2348744

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Yes, my SLOW transitions played into me missing 3rd place in my AG by 4 SECONDS.

Reminds me, I need to work on those.


2009-08-14 12:51 PM
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Elite
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
I've been on this bandwagon for years. Although it hasn't yet mattered for me in an AG spot (M35-39 and M40-44 have some fast dudes in them), I know that the first time I do manage to crack that podium, it's going to be due to outperforming my competitor in transitions.


2009-08-14 12:53 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Ok bear, spill it, what's your secret?  Swimming with your helmet on?
2009-08-14 12:57 PM
in reply to: #2348952

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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.

strostertag - 2009-08-14 1:53 PM Ok bear, spill it, what's your secret?  Swimming with your helmet on?


Biking and running with his wetsuit on.
2009-08-14 1:03 PM
in reply to: #2348744

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
I told you that leaving your pants at home would speed things up.  You removed all that "ajustment" time and got to focus on your shoes.
2009-08-14 1:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
strostertag - 2009-08-14 12:53 PM Ok bear, spill it, what's your secret?  Swimming with your helmet on?


No secrets. Hard to hide secrets in transition anyway. The key is simply to simplify.

T1 is put down the goggles and cap, strap on the helmet, unrack the bike and go. Shoes, hydration, fuel is preloaded on the bike, there if I need it.

T2 is rack the bike, unstrap the helmet and put it on the bars, put on the running shoes, grab the race belt and hat (to be put on while I'm running) and go.

Easy peasy. No dishpans or squirt bottles to wash the feet. No buckets to sit on. No socks to play with. No sunglasses for that matter (wind visor on my helmet). No clothing changes. No lipstick (Whizz!). No helium balloons to get in my way.

I know some on here are anti-shoes-on-the-bike folks around who will argue that I'm just moving transition time to the bike as you have to struggle to get into your shoes. Well, I've practiced enough that there is no struggle, put my shoes on at 20mph rather than standing (or bucket sitting) in transition. Oh, and had this rsmall ace's 8th fastest bike split (out of 150), so I'm happy.
2009-08-14 1:30 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Yeah, I really need to work on my transitions. It's just free time going to waste. Congrats to you though!


2009-08-14 1:43 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Congrats on your race!! I bought some Yankz laces the other day. I have a sprint coming up next month and will be working on my transitions to get lightning fast.  Or at least that's the plan.
2009-08-14 2:24 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.

The real key to a fast transition is the one that ironically is rarely mentioned in the transition tips I see here and elsewhere...

RUN FASTER!!!

A lot of people fall into the trap of thinking that the key to a fast transition is to learn some series of ninja moves that would allow you to do 4 things at once while you're standing there at your rack.

I'd bet that at the typical race 90% of the transition time is actually spent moving to/from your rack spot.  As long as you don't do a full wardrobe change and eat a 4 course meal while you're there, the time spent actually at your rack spot messing around with your gear is almost inconsequential compared to how long it takes to get there.

So just run fast, keep it simple and the rest of the stuff will eventually take care of itself.

2009-08-14 2:27 PM
in reply to: #2349262

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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
totally agree, one of the first races i won this season happened like that.

2nd OA beat m on the swim, same bike time, and beat me on the run.

i ended up 32 sec ahead of him through transition time only.
2009-08-14 2:30 PM
in reply to: #2348744

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.

My transitions sound very similar to the bear, and have had similar experiences. I always move up a couple spots in overall, and won an AG by 2 seconds by posting super fast transition times. They definitely make a difference!

2009-08-14 2:33 PM
in reply to: #2349081

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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
the bear - 2009-08-14 2:28 PM
strostertag - 2009-08-14 12:53 PM Ok bear, spill it, what's your secret?  Swimming with your helmet on?


No secrets. Hard to hide secrets in transition anyway. The key is simply to simplify.

T1 is put down the goggles and cap, strap on the helmet, unrack the bike and go. Shoes, hydration, fuel is preloaded on the bike, there if I need it.

T2 is rack the bike, unstrap the helmet and put it on the bars, put on the running shoes, grab the race belt and hat (to be put on while I'm running) and go.

Easy peasy. No dishpans or squirt bottles to wash the feet. No buckets to sit on. No socks to play with. No sunglasses for that matter (wind visor on my helmet). No clothing changes. No lipstick (Whizz!). No helium balloons to get in my way.

I know some on here are anti-shoes-on-the-bike folks around who will argue that I'm just moving transition time to the bike as you have to struggle to get into your shoes. Well, I've practiced enough that there is no struggle, put my shoes on at 20mph rather than standing (or bucket sitting) in transition. Oh, and had this rsmall ace's 8th fastest bike split (out of 150), so I'm happy.


I did the really simple transition area last week during my sprint.  I had some of the fastest transition times for me and the fastest T1 in my division - I did put my bike shoes on in T1, but had them set up so all I had to do was step in and fasten the velcro.  Had some problems in T2 (but was still in the top 50%), so I need to work on that a bit more.

Edited by Artemis 2009-08-14 2:34 PM


2009-08-14 2:51 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Having never actually done a tri, I have to ask a dumb question.  If your shoes are already on the bike, do you simply push the bike up to where you are allowed to mount then quickly slip into your shoes while they are on the bike?  If so, I guess you just get moving, then reach down to velcro down the straps? 
2009-08-14 2:57 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Pector55 - 2009-08-14 2:51 PM Having never actually done a tri, I have to ask a dumb question.  If your shoes are already on the bike, do you simply push the bike up to where you are allowed to mount then quickly slip into your shoes while they are on the bike?  If so, I guess you just get moving, then reach down to velcro down the straps? 


BT actually has a good video on the front page for swim-to-bike transitions:

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1820
2009-08-14 2:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
i did a race a few months ago that had a 250 yard distance from the water to the transition, that counted on your swim time. i was slow on my swim but ran past a bunch of faster swimmers that walked, that and a fast transition to get me to my favorite,cycling, gave me third in my age group. so yeah fast transitions help alot.
2009-08-14 2:59 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.

ChrisM - 2009-08-14 10:32 AM Excellent! 

Usually I just want to finish the transitions

LOL

2009-08-14 4:35 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
what no buckets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did anyone mention to keep running while in transition, or at least a decent jog... many people walk,,

also I roll up my race number/belt and have it just under the top of the tri shorts, .. that way I don't have to worry if my fingers are working that day...


2009-08-14 4:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
Gaarryy - 2009-08-14 4:35 PM what no buckets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

did anyone mention to keep running while in transition, or at least a decent jog... many people walk,,

also I roll up my race number/belt and have it just under the top of the tri shorts, .. that way I don't have to worry if my fingers are working that day...


Some of us don't have that kind of room inside our tri shorts.

Cool
2009-08-14 5:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
I've been trying to ignore this angle so far. My excuse was always that I was nowhere near the podium anyway so a minute here or there wasn't that crucial. Well, I messed it up and landed on the podium at a small, local oly tri earlier this year. Now I suppose I either need some new excuses or it's time to pay attention to these threads.

Starting with baby steps though, since I've tried to run sockless in my running shoes a few times, and that has always led to blisters and bandaids so far. Many of the tri's I've done have rules against leaving the shoes clipped on the bike too. But, I did get some Yankz laces thrown in as a free bonus once so I should dust those off and try them out. I never did bother with buckets or dishpans but I imagine I could still simplify, streamline, and practice the process a bit. Thanks for the reminder bear.
2009-08-14 8:58 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.

Noob question here - is it considered bad form to "sprint' all the way thru the transition?

I got into this problem in my last 3 tris, since I'm still such a lousy swimmer than I'm BBBOP. I however, feel fine coming out of the water (I know, I need to swim harder!) and would be able to sprint, wetsuit and all, right up to my bike transition area.

Trouble is, EVERYONE around me, even the fast swimmers from 2 waves back who have just passed me, are easy jogging it to their bike. NOBODY is hauling thru the swim to bike transition, and I feel like a jerk if I pass too many people on the short run to the bike. (I passed 5-8 in a 150m stretch without trying.)

Should I just haul through the transition, or should I "save it for the racing part?" Just curious to hear from both FOP and MOP/BOP folks about this.

And no, I DON'T blow through the bike start or dismount when you're supposed to walk it through. I walk like everyone else.

2009-08-14 9:20 PM
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Subject: RE: Work on those transitions, folks.
agarose2000 - 2009-08-14 9:58 PM

Noob question here - is it considered bad form to "sprint' all the way thru the transition?

I got into this problem in my last 3 tris, since I'm still such a lousy swimmer than I'm BBBOP. I however, feel fine coming out of the water (I know, I need to swim harder!) and would be able to sprint, wetsuit and all, right up to my bike transition area.

Trouble is, EVERYONE around me, even the fast swimmers from 2 waves back who have just passed me, are easy jogging it to their bike. NOBODY is hauling thru the swim to bike transition, and I feel like a jerk if I pass too many people on the short run to the bike. (I passed 5-8 in a 150m stretch without trying.)

Should I just haul through the transition, or should I "save it for the racing part?" Just curious to hear from both FOP and MOP/BOP folks about this.

And no, I DON'T blow through the bike start or dismount when you're supposed to walk it through. I walk like everyone else.



Just my two cents, but the whole thing is a race.  If you can sprint past a bunch of people in transition then more power to you. 
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