General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory" Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
 
 
of 2
 
 
2009-07-06 7:56 AM

Subject: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
I want to bring a bucket to put my feet on when I do up my running shoes.  Also, what is the norm about marking places on the course/ transition area?

Example- I would like to mark my row with a pink piece of duct tape, or maybe some chalk on the ground so I can find it quicker or not get lost.   The bucket will also help me locate my spot, but Im afraid it will be in someone else's way... I want to help myself out, but I don't want to hinder anyone else either.


2009-07-06 8:00 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

Master
1810
1000500100100100
Morse Lake, Noblesville, Indiana
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Fold a towel in half, and place it next to your bike, as close to your bike as possible. At that point, put all your stuff on that towel. That's your space now. Find a pink towel, use it for visibility. Get a helium ballon, tie it to the rack, use it for visibility. Count the order of your rack, no need for visibility, but a bit more confusing when you are seeing stars from a hard swim (just don't swim quite that hard). Get a good aisle space, so when you are running through T1 (and T2) you'll know where you are.
2009-07-06 8:02 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

Expert
937
50010010010010025
Traverse Cityish
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Skip the bucket and just use a water bottle to wash your feet if needed. Also, I'd do it just before the bike so you feet have time to dry before the run. Wet feet on the run can result in blisters and it's way harder to put on socks.

As for marking your rack stand out, I don't think a bright piece of duct tape on the rack end leg would be a big deal at all.

2009-07-06 8:02 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

Master
1517
1000500
Raleigh
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
as far as marking, i doubt you could do that successfully in transition...just user your towel/mat and use that as your "space".

in the racks, theres usually a predetermined # of bikes that need to be on there and if you take up too much space, i'm sure you'll find your stuff scooted over if you seem to be intruding.

As far as marking your rack line...tie balloons, bandanas, etc to the rack end
2009-07-06 8:03 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Please please please, no buckets (if you can avoid it).

See post above for some good ideas on finding your rack ^^^^.
2009-07-06 8:32 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

Extreme Veteran
682
500100252525
Canton, MI. via Detroit
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
I like the helium balloon idea. Is that legal?


2009-07-06 8:34 AM
in reply to: #2263947

User image

Champion
9600
500020002000500100
Fountain Hills, AZ
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Daremo - 2009-07-06 8:03 AM

Please please please, no buckets (if you can avoid it).

See post above for some good ideas on finding your rack ^^^^.


x2
2009-07-06 8:38 AM
in reply to: #2264025

User image

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Detroit Dan - 2009-07-06 9:32 AM I like the helium balloon idea. Is that legal?


I've seen them at most tris that I do.  Just check with the RD to make sure it is okay if you are concerned.
2009-07-06 8:40 AM
in reply to: #2263927

Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
OK... so the bucket is out.  Glad I asked.  I 'll just take a knee and hope I do not cramp up.  I had heard baloons are a good idea, but many people do it.  Im thinkingof ways to take the remembering out of the transition as I am pretty sure I will be to tired to think much. 

How about a big chalk spot on the ground in front of my spot?  
2009-07-06 8:57 AM
in reply to: #2264053

Veteran
110
100
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Just count rows.  If everyone put up a balloon or wrote in chalk on the ground, it would be no better for you than counting.

If rows are assigned by numbers, the numbers should be listed on the sides of the rack. 

Just move through transition as a reasonable pace.  IF this is your first race, walking once you reach the racks will not make too much of a difference.  Just be confident and keep moving through your transition steps.

Have fun.

Gordon
2009-07-06 9:06 AM
in reply to: #2263927

90 miles south of Titletown, USA
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
I gather from your thinking of bringing a bucket (like others have said, please don't, transition doesn't offer up much space) that you will be tying laces on your running shoes? If that's the case, invest in some Yankz or other bungee lace system that allows you to just pull your shoes on and go. No need for the bucket and much faster.


2009-07-06 9:10 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Small races might let you use the balloon, bigger races don't.

Your transition area should be simple and not too crowded, you don't really need a lot of stuff. As far as memorizing your transition area I always walk from swim exit to my T area and from bike entry to T area and do this a few times, that way I memorize where is it. I also also use land marks (i.e. a tree, count the rows, see how close is to exit, a post, a speaker, etc.) for another point of reference. If you practice this it is really not that difficult. Good luck

Edited by JorgeM 2009-07-06 9:11 AM
2009-07-06 9:15 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

over a barrier
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Get to the race early. Set up your Transition. Take 10-15 mins walking from the Swim Exit to your rack/transition and walk to the Bike start. Do this several times. You'll know exactly where your spot will be located.

Don't use bike as spotters, cause that P3 with the sweet Disc decals probably won't be there as your marker.

Really there is no need for balloons, sky writing, and billboards. Just take the time and walk your route to your bike 5-10 times. You'll be all set.

2009-07-06 9:29 AM
in reply to: #2264178

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
running2far - 2009-07-06 9:15 AM Really there is no need for balloons, sky writing, and billboards. Just take the time and walk your route to your bike 5-10 times. You'll be all set.


x2. I've seen some pretty obnoxious chalk markings and duct tape at local races, which I think are completely un-necessary and scream "look at me! I don't know where my bike is!" more than anything. I don't see what's so hard about counting the racks from the swim exit?

 
2009-07-06 9:30 AM
in reply to: #2264226

User image

Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
lisac957 - 2009-07-06 10:29 AM I don't see what's so hard about counting the racks from the swim exit?
 


Triathletes suck at counting.  Search for forums for "counting laps" to see what I mean.  :P
2009-07-06 9:36 AM
in reply to: #2263927

User image

Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Heyyyyy, remote detonated smoke grenade!


2009-07-06 9:36 AM
in reply to: #2263927

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2009-07-06 9:41 AM
in reply to: #2264025

Master
1810
1000500100100100
Morse Lake, Noblesville, Indiana
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Detroit Dan - 2009-07-06 9:32 AM

I like the helium balloon idea. Is that legal?


My favorites are the great big bright yellow smiley faces. As long as you don't cut the balloon loose (abandomnment), it's just a standard piece of triathlon equipment, just like your towel marking your place, a bucket of water to wash your feet (please don't do this), and even your sunglasses. None of these are against the rules.
2009-07-06 9:43 AM
in reply to: #2264231

Lafayette, CO
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
newleaf - 2009-07-06 8:30 AM
lisac957 - 2009-07-06 10:29 AM I don't see what's so hard about counting the racks from the swim exit?
 


Triathletes suck at counting.  Search for forums for "counting laps" to see what I mean.  :P


AHAHAHAHA!!!!  That's funny.

But, I agree, count your racks AND find a stationary item to mark.  For me it was tree on one end and coming in from the bike I knew to hang a right at the first port-o-potty.  Easy enough, no interference with others and trees and port-o-potties don't move during a race. 
2009-07-06 9:49 AM
in reply to: #2263927

Master
1702
1000500100100
Southern Ontario
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
I have a very bright yellow towel that I have always used as my transition marker.  However, I've only raced smaller races - so my yellow towel has always been visible.  It's going to be interesting at Steelhead trying to find my bike.... *laughing*
2009-07-06 9:52 AM
in reply to: #2264295

Master
1810
1000500100100100
Morse Lake, Noblesville, Indiana
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
Silver_wlf - 2009-07-06 10:49 AM

Steelhead 2009 - 4 Weeks


26 days and counting to be exact.


2009-07-06 9:55 AM
in reply to: #2264295

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2009-07-06 10:03 AM
in reply to: #2264315

Resident Curmudgeon
25290
50005000500050005000100100252525
The Road Back
Gold member
Subject: RE: Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory"
PennState - 2009-07-06 9:55 AM [
Definitely will be an adjustment, as Steelhead is usually the largest 70.3 (as far as # of entrants).


We (officials) were told that IMNO was the biggest 70.3 with I think 2800 allowed to register, (2,312 finishers). How many are allowed in Steelhead?

Transition at IMNO was massive. I would have needed a GPS locator to find my rack.
2009-07-06 10:09 AM
in reply to: #2264339

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2009-07-06 10:17 AM
in reply to: #2263927

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Transition Setup/ "Marking your territory" Rss Feed  
 
 
of 2