ASPHALT JUNKIES Summer Bronzing Crew - CLOSED (Page 35)

I appreciate all the comments on my race report. I’ve been mentally going over where I could improve my time in transitions.

At this race venue the run up from the water to T1 is about 100 yards, I’m run/jogging the whole way while unzipping and pulling the wetsuit down to my waist so not much I can do there. I did walk a short spell once onto the pavement since the little pebbles were tough on my feet this time. So there may have been 50 to 100 feet of walking that I could run next
time. Once at my transition spot I step on the end of my towel and pull my legs and feet out of the wetsuit. Cap, goggles, ear plugs, and timer go onto the towel and I grab my helmet and strap it on while wiping my feet on the end of the towel. Then I pull on socks (just can’t ride or run without them, too susceptible to blisters), then bike shoes (Velcro straps so it’s pretty quick) sunglasses on then I grab the bike and run it out to the mount line.  I check the bike computer as I unrack the bike to make sure it’s not in sleep mode. I even left off the bike gloves that I usually wear during a race.  At this race I did spend about 15 seconds extra to get some sun block sprayed on.

I guess I could just practice more transitions and see how much faster I can accomplish it, but other than skipping the sun block I’m not doing anything I don’t need to do there.

In T2 I’m dismounting the bike and running it to my transition spot. Rack the bike and take off the helmet, put on a running hat, pull off the bike shoes, put on the run shoes, put on my race belt and GPS watch and I’m off. It doesn’t seem like I’m doing too much there.

I do use standard laces on my running shoes that I have to tie in transition.  I’m considering switching one pair over to a set of Yankz. I have some on an older pair that I don’t run in anymore.

Maybe just more practice at T2 also.

What do you guys think? Any tips for decreasing my transition times?

I can give you a relative step by step of my transition but there are differences in what we do.  For instance, I go sockless for everything other than long course races.  For my HIM's I will take the time to put socks on in T2 but anything shorter it's completely sockless for both bike and run.........and I accept blisters as part of the race.

Swim......T1

• *As I run out of the water I am reaching to the back of my neck to open the velcro closure on my wetsuit, grab the lanyard and unzip.
• *After unzipping I peel my goggles and cap in one hand.
• *Begin pulling the side of the wetsuit holding the goggles off my shoulder leaving the cap and goggles inside the sleeve.  I finish by pulling the other shoulder down and getting that arm out of the wetsuit.
• *....Finish the run into transition
• *At the bike I finish taking my wetsuit off by stepping on the legs a couple of times and I am able to clear it usually very quickly.  (I normally don't need to use my hands at all for my wetsuit.)
• *Grab my wetsuit and toss it under my bike.  (I like to keep all of my stuff as much out of others way as I possibly can make it.  There's nothing worse than having someones stuff allover yours and having to fish through it.)
• *Put on my sunglasses
• *Helmet and buckle

..........Out of transition......

      I keep my shoes clipped into the pedals and get into the shoes once up to speed.  This is where Tri specific shoes can be a huge benefit.  However, I used cycling shoes for part of 2011 and all of 2012 seasons and I had them clipped into the pedals as well.  They're a little harder to get into but it's well worth the time savings.  Consider where you're going while standing in transition putting shoes on and where you're going while moving on your bike putting your shoes on.

........On the bike approaching T2 I remove my shoes and pedal the last 100-200 yards with my feet on top of the pedals.  (And make sure the dismount official see's me screaming in, get's really nervous and screams at me to slow down.)

T2......

• *Put on my socks (only if long course racing)
• *Put on my shoes
• *Grab my race belt and visor
• *Run out of transition putting my visor on and then my race belt.

You might try using some Body Glide on the inside of your cycling shoes to reduce the possibility of blisters if that is a concern.  Honestly I believe there could be some kind of a body mechanics issue or shoe fit issue if you're getting blisters from cycling shoes.  The first pair of cycling shoes I owned and rode for thousands of miles were the cheapest pair of pleather shoes you can find!!  I don't believe I ever got a blister riding in them.  The mechanics of the pedal stroke shouldn't really create a lot of friction or hot spots.  Now my triathlon specific shoes are size 44 and I would normally wear a 43 and I've never had issues with any hotspots at all and I've done 80 miles barefoot.

You can also try the Body Glide in your running shoes too.  I've done that and been pretty successful up to oly races except for the last mile or two.  I do get some blisters in certain areas but once they burst and I wash them once I don't have any problems.  But, that first time washing them SUCKS!!!!!  Fell the burn!!!

Ok, I am looking for a Tri-Indy roll call.  Here's what I have from the May roll call:

1. Dirk
2. Jeff
3. Brenda
4. Allison (2012 Junkie)
5. Joanne
6. Dina?
7. Matt
   

Anyone else I'm missing?  Well besides the 2 east coasters who are chickening out and scared to come face to face with the Junkie train that's going to be rolling through downtown Indy.

I am going to get a campsite set up for the KOA east of Indy pretty soon. This campground is about 15-20 minutes from the race site and packet pickup.  It is a really easy drive on race morning with very little to no traffic.  (Who else besides triathletes are going to be on the road at 6 AM on a Sunday?)

Who is looking to camp? They have RV and tent camping as well as some cabins.  I have never seen this campground even close to full for this particular weekend.  Usually we have a space or two (at least) on either side if our trailer.  I may also have some room to put a couple of people up in our camper if my girls decide not to make the trip.

Those getting hotels, where are you getting rooms geographically?

Happy Wednesday, Gang!    Back from vacation and finished 10 loads of laundry and about 7 hours of yard work yesterday.  Went to bed feeling more sore than I have in a long time.  I'm ready for another vacation and then I need to get a maid/groundskeeper to do the post clean-up. 

Like MATT, I was able to read your posts while I was away but I just didn't respond via my phone which is impossible to compose on.  Glad you enjoyed your East Coast trip. 

I echo everyone's condolences about your grandma's passing, WILL.   

All you Junkies be careful out there with the bike crashes.   Been there, done that and it's not fun.

JEN!!  I knew I liked you from the git-go and then I find out you ride motorcycles?!!  You're a girl after my own heart.   I rode for many years (sold my last Harley about 6 years ago when I started riding my bicycle more) and thankfully never put one down.  I'd say motorcycles and bicycles fall in the same category so you're good getting the fall out of the way.     Hope you were OK - do you still ride?

If you're still checking in, DINA, I totally get your lack of motivation.  Nothing wrong with how you feel - It's OK to be where you are.  I see in your log you're still staying active with walking the dog and running around with the kids.   They deserve the best of you and I know you're doing a great job being a mom.

Sorry, DIRK, my man, but TriIndy is off my calendar.    As much as I'd like to see you all, it's just not gonna work with my family.  It was so wonderful to see you and Lisa in Winona.   You have really stepped up your game.  I love that you're connected with a team as your new tri outfit looks much better with your lime green visor than your old one.    Good luck at IM70.3 Muncie!  You're gonna ROCK it!

KARL -  4:00 AM and 78 sounds awful but way to get in a run any ways.  Enjoy getting your son back!

I'll be there too Karl! It's going to be awesome!!

Welcome back! That daunting mountain of laundry sounds like my family after a long weekend! I don't currently ride - Too many hobbies and they all get expensive. I learned to ride when I was 17 and my first vehicle was a Honda Shadow 650CC Cruiser, which I rode to college everyday.... my husband is the only one that a has a motorcycle at the moment.

The color makes me smile, Jeff!!   Love it! - that's one sweet ride. 

Here's me when we lived in beautiful Maryland with my favorite bike - a pearl white Fat Boy - this was pre-kids and pre-triathlons.     I'll have you know this is the first picture I've ever posted in a thread (thanks to Dina's instructions) so do a happy dance with me.   No, I promise not to bore you with pictures all the time now.