Lora's Just Us Girls Group - CLOSED (Page 10)

J.Jill - 2010-02-21 12:23 PM I am not doing good at all!! I am out of my grove again!! I have no gym now and this weather can you know what. I am glad everyone else is getting something in. KEEP IT UP GIRLS!

kiowarose - 2010-02-21 7:02 PM

Hi Lora and all:
I was wondering about transitions from one sport segment to another, like swimming to biking, to running. How does that happen? And I know this is going to sound odd but I wear glasses and how do I get to them after the swimming segment?
I know I'm woefully unprepared to tri right now but later this year, I might be able to do a sprint depending on how this summer goes.
Pat

kiowarose - 2010-02-21 7:02 PM

Hi Lora and all:
I was wondering about transitions from one sport segment to another, like swimming to biking, to running. How does that happen? And I know this is going to sound odd but I wear glasses and how do I get to them after the swimming segment?
I know I'm woefully unprepared to tri right now but later this year, I might be able to do a sprint depending on how this summer goes.
Pat

manfarr1974 - 2010-02-21 8:25 PM

Hey Pat-

Lora will have some to say on this too, but I will chime in my 2 cents...

So when you get to the tri, you get to set up a "transition area" - kind of your own little piece of real-estate where you can rack your bike and set yourself up for the 2 transitions you have to do.  Generally, at least at the tri's I have been to, the racks are numbered so you know which rack to set up on.  So if you are #302, you will set up at the rack #300-310 or something like that.  Some tri's tell you to just grab a place on the rack, some want you to be in order. 

You do not have a lot of room.  I like to rack my bike with the front of the seat on the rack, bike facing the direction I need to go when I am ready to transition (look around in transition pre-race, you will see lots of ways to set up, so this is what I do).  I am pretty basic, I set up a towel to wipe my feet, fuel (GU), a canvas bag, my bike shoes, running shoes and socks, and a race belt.  I have fuel and water on the bike, just in case.  Generally in a sprint, you need the water more than the fuel I think.  That is me, everyone is different.  Some folks really go all out and get fancy in transition set-up, like with a bucket of water to rinse their feet, a stool to sit on...it is all about what is going to make you comfortable and efficient at transition.

SWIM to BIKE (T1)- first, they make prescription goggles.  You might want to check that out.  I would put my glasses right on my bike helmet - each arm of the glasses in a hole of the helmet (that is where I put my sunglasses) and I put my bike helmet on my seat.  The first thing I do when out of the water (very wobbly) is take off the cap and goggles (not sure how much you need glasses, you may want to keep Rx goggles on to find your spot), I start to unzip my suit and try to get it off my arms.  Get to transition with wetsuit off down to my waist.  At my spot I throw my cap and goggles into the canvas bag, step on the towel and put on my sunglasses (glasses) and helmet, rip off my wetsuit (I step on the leg of the suit and pull up hard with my  trapped leg), throw that over the bar my bike is racked on, quickly wipe off my trisuit a bit, put on with the bike shoes, grab the bike, and out.  I don't rush, I try to be methodical, but I also don't doddle.  There us almost always (in my experience) one way into transition, and one way out, so all traffic is flowing the same way.  I always walk this pre-race.

BIKE to RUN (T2) - get into transition.  Rack bike, take off helmet.  I keep my sunglasses on, you will probably want to keep your glasses on.  Take off bike shoes, put on socks and running shoes, race belt, visor, grab fuel and take a swig of fluid if needed. I use GU, but try to take one with about 20 minutes +- on the bike so it digests a little and I don't have to jostle it around in my gut first thing on the run, which I have found gives me a side cramp....

If you can, try attending (or even better volunteering) at a tri near you (if there is one?) before you do one.  You can check out what folks are doing in all aspects of the race.  You can watch the race and actually see what folks are doing in transition.

Hope this helps, sorry so long.  I can go into lots of detail if you want, I tried to be quick so I didn't droll on forever.  BUT please don't hesitate to ask with questions to clarify any of this.

Cheers,
Mandy

J.Jill - 2010-02-21 12:23 PM I am not doing good at all!! I am out of my grove again!! I have no gym now and this weather can you know what. I am glad everyone else is getting something in. KEEP IT UP GIRLS!

amykmo - 2010-02-25 10:17 AM Karen -

Looks like you'll have a great weekend while the rest of us are running/biking our butts off. 

I've got 4 miles run to go and 22 miles of bike.  I'll make it - although close.