jesswah's group - FULL of sexy triathletes! (Page 17)

Seeing as how my technical knowledge is zilch, I'm just going to say, "Have fun ."

Hi everyone!

I've got a question on transitions. I found myself spending quite a bit of time in T1. It seems to me that getting the wetsuit off, wearing socks, putting the cycling shoes, wearing a shirt, helmet, sunglasses takes more than what it should. I know that people organize their equipment next to the bike such that it would be quicker to access.

Also, there is the effect of mental pressure that I can always sense. In the urge to do things quickly, I tend to forget stuff (e.g, sunglasses) and in one case, I decided not to put on my cycling shoes as I thought that it would take me forever to complete this task...

My question is what are your tips for T1 and T2? Also, whether you train for them and if so, how?

Absolutely practice your transitions!!!  Your neighbors might think you're a little strange, but what the heck.  Our duathlon class instructor at the gym has made us do T1 and T2 practices nearly every week since mid Jan.  We all look pretty special wearing our helmets on the spin bikes. 

I also tend to have too much stuff for tris.  I'm a real princess about my feet and have to wash them before putting on socks.  No way around it; can't go sockless or with dirty toes.  I put my helmet on my aerobars with my sunglasses in the helmet.  I have my running shoes on a towel with my hat and number belt on top. 

Really, you need to practice.  It helps.  And video it so you can put it on Youtube.  Your neighbors are going to love the show. 

Pattie

Sending four leaf shammrocks your way. 

A take home car is cool, a vehicle allowance is better.

Then we would have a bunch of cops driving Corvettes and Mustangs.......

Thanks for the tips on transitions. You guys brought some good points and I really need to keep them in mind. True, I am far from being a podium finisher, and most likely will never be, and saving a few seconds will not make it or break it for me. It is just that I feel that being efficient during transitions can save even a few minutes and not only seconds. I read quite a bit on other's experience and noticed that some people, after adequate training managed to shave 2 to 3 minutes of their total transition time - I think that this is a lot even for the amateur triathlete. Sometimes, simple tips can save time and this is what I was interested hearing about. I will never forget the tips about balloons helping finding your spot, and the colored mat as well. These little things we exchange do help - and I am always eager to learn more.

The transition area in the last race I participated was on dirt covered with leafs and gravel. After coming wet out of the water, some leafs stuck with my feet and had quite a hard time getting rid of them. I ended up cycling and running with a small gravel stone stuck between my toes, which caused quite a bit of pain throughout the run. I then learned that others had on their mat a gallon of tap water to rinse their feet before going on the bike. So, from that point on, I have added this to my pre-race checklist...

Is anybody else like perpetually sick? I feel like I cannot shake it. It is not so bad that I have to be in bed, but when I train (especially run) I fee like death is a comin!! I have to run 8 miles in a minute and I am dreading it......

Does anyone here do Crossfit?? Check out crossfit.com  it is awesome looking and those people have my utmost respect!

G- the cold/flu/crud that's been going around this year is a biaotch.  I was sick for about 3 weeks and I hardly ever get sick.  Nasty stuff.  Running when you're sick just sucks.  Hope you are feeling better soon.

Pattie

OK.  Confession time. Recently I have been really dragging azz to get my workouts in. I feel tired all the time and have actually been gaining (significant) weight.  I feel like this is more of a stressor than it should be to train for a HIM. So, I called the race director at Tupper Lake (A bit of a See U Next Tuesday) and begged to be put into the "sprint". Now, mind you this will still be the longest race I have ever done (It has a 20 mile bike and 6 mile run). I am a classic example of a guy trying to make the jump to long course before he and his body is ready.  So, I am sprinting and smiling.

Hi gator22,

I think you did the right thing! we are all setting goals to ourselves all the time. Some of those goals could be a stretch, but we are still trying to push ourselves - that's all fine. At times, when realizing that a goal, which 2-3 months ago seemed like - hey, why not? - may look way different as the deadline approaches. I think that you did the right thing by adjusting your goal to your current ability to race - and there is nothing wrong with this. I think that you'd feel much worst should you attempted to race the HIM and had to bail out half way into it...

Keep doing your best, focus on achievable goals and don't get too stressed about it - after all, you are doing something for yourself, by yourself - and the fact that you are sptinting and smiling is already a change in the right direction!

Good luck and keep smiling!

I really need a vioce of reason.  Again, I found a race that I really want to do at the last minute.  I don't know why I don't plan better than I do. 

I registered for a duathlon today, but while looking at trifind.com, I found a sprint tri I really want to do.  It is in Gatlinburg, TN and my mother lives within 15 miles of the event.  The only problem is it is next Saturday.  I haven't specifically trained for a tri this early, but I think I have trained enough to do it.  It is going to take a lot wrangling to get everything together for this.  I have to take some time off work.  I have to be registered by Monday which will take help from my mother.  I have to figure out how to set up for a tri in just a few days.

Am I crazy, or is this kind of crazy a good thing and I should just jump in?

Okay, you are going to need a real voice of reason, but I will offer up my two cents.  Just do it!!!  If you think you are ready, and there is only one way to truly find out, I say figure out the logistics and just do it.  I tend to fly by the seat of my pants.  The way I see it is that you have a race opportunity and you just need to figure out the details.