Tips - Little things you never think about (Page 5)

Practice dismounts! They are really easy once you do them a few times. In my first tri I felt so silly stopping my bike and getting off while people were zooming by me doing flying dismounts.

Great thread btw!

You can't draft on the bike but you can on the swim and the run.  And it works beautifully.  I've yet to do it well on the swim, but on the run there is no shame in waiting for someone who is going slightly faster than you, just slip in behind them - off on an angle a little bit - and just let them pull you along.  I, personally, do this a lot and every single time I say, "Mind if I draft off you."  Everytime I've asked the person always says "Yes".  Once last year, during a sprint I asked a guy and he said, "Come on! Let's go!!" and he motivated me and we even picked the pace up and he pulled me all the way to the finish.  Very cool of him   Just make sure it's not someone who is running too fast for you, you don't wanna blow up.  I like to look for a guy who is around my build type and is running with good form.  Even if they carry you for just a couple of miles it helps.

On the same topic, if it's a 10k or longer run - striking up conversation on the run helps A.) Pass time and B.) Regulate breathing. 

Lastly, Transition is NOT the place to catch your breath!!!  It's a chance for free speed.  Get in and out of transition like you are on FIRE!  You can pedal a little slower for the first 1/2 mile on the bike and you will recover from the swim and catch your breath.  In T2 same thing.  You can run the first 1/4 a little slow, catch your breath and let the HR settle down and slowly get up to speed.  Even if you Run or Bike a little slower just at the very start, you are still moving forward!!  Just standing there in Transition flaws me.  Or really taking your time.  I have had races where I was beaten in the Swim, Bike and Run by athletes but I finished 10 spots ahead of them in the standings because of my Transition times. 

if you are swimming in a cold OW swim, wrap the heating hand pads around your handlebars. Frozen hands suck, and they suck even more when you throw some wind on them from the bike ride....


 

Get a sunscreen stick. Cram it into that little bag under your saddle and use it when you remember you've forgotten to sunscreen yourself and are now burning up. Or use it as a Body Glide substitute! Yup it works.

I always count the racks pre-race and figure out where my bike is that way - so when I run in from the swim I just count off and find it that way.

I think this was said before, but I also carry an extra squeeze water bottle (Poland Spring works best!) and wash my feet off that way.

Lots of great tips on here - thanks to all who added, I'm definitely trying an extra swim cap for warmth and the earplugs - I always get dizzy after a cold water swim and look drunk staggering to my bike.

1 Have extra goggles (besides your own spare). I helped a guy out by running back into T (prior to my wave) to get goggles to throw to him as he entered the water. Same with race belts. (Ive loaned one out several times in a race).extra gel etc...makes you feel good to help someone out. Then hopefully they will pay it forward next race.

2 buy your own velcro timing chip strap. (some races have a plastic band that digs  into your leg)

3 WALK (quickly) up steep hills. Im always passed going up, but can take all the free speed at the top, repass the ones who passed me on the climb, never to see them again. Some trudge up a hill, arrive at the top wasted, out of breath and unable to free wheel down. (it has ALWAYs worked for me...leading to podium finishes) So yes, you can walk (under the right circumstances, and still place!)

4 shout out a thanks to all volunteers, police officers, spectators cheering etc.

5 volunteer if you are injured and cant race, or before or after your own race. Ive done it, and it adds a whole new dimension/appreciation to racing.

6 pump your tires immediately before any ride or race. Avoids pinch flats. (also, temp changes overnight (for mandatory night before check in) affects pressure.

7 on above note, check rim tape after a flat...nipple from spoke may be cutting your tube, by being worn, or shifted over.

THANKS to all of you for some new tips I'll use...can always learn new things, no matter how much experience you have.