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2012-02-28 11:51 AM

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Malvern, PA
Subject: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

This should be in a FAQ somewhere, but my first event is in May and I know it takes a minute or two to get into and lace up my shoes.

I did a little google search and found out about "speedlaces," are these worth purchasing or are there other considerations?  I don't want to get velcro-based running shoes as I am already attached to the current running shoes I use which have regular laces.

Also, is it typical to have a chair or seat in T2?  I am going to bike sockless but will need to put socks on in T2.  I suppose I can just sit on the ground and pop on the socks but it will be easier and faster if there is a stool or a chair....or I could bring a small "milking stool" or milk crate to sit on but unsure if this is kosher (and I suspect depends on the specific rules of the event).

Suggestions?

Doug



2012-02-28 11:54 AM
in reply to: #4070695

Master
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Northern IL
Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

I use Xtenex for speed laces. The knots hold them in place and they just stretch when you put them on.

Most people stand for T2. It's not that hard with a little practice. Some might sit.

2012-02-28 12:03 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Elite
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

I like my laces loose so I just tie them tight enough that I can slip my running shoes on and off without tying them.  I tried speedlaces (Yankz specifically) but didn't like them.  It seemed like they kept getting tighter and tighter on my feet everytime I put them on so I yanked (funny...) them out.

re the chair, no that would not be typical.  The holy grail is to learn to run sockless, that eliminates the problem altogether!

2012-02-28 12:05 PM
in reply to: #4070701

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Master
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

Generally, it is faster not to sit down in T1/T2.

For the socks, while setting up your transition area, put your socks on and then roll them off.  They will like a lot like donuts or certain prophlactic devices. When you come back to your area and are ready to put them on, dust the bottom of your foot off with your hand, perch the sock donut on top of your toes and roll down.  Sock applied!

For the shoes, I find elastic laces unnecessary.  I just lace my regular running shoes just loose enough that I can hold the tongue open and ram my foot inside without bothering to lace or tie.  I used to lace and tie until my husband showed me this trick.  It is way easier and now I never have to tie my shoes.  : )

2012-02-28 12:06 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
I have the yankz and like them. Especially for airport security since I usually wear my running shoes on the plane for short trips.
2012-02-28 12:08 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
I love me some speed laces, although I can't remember the brand I use!!! I bought them while training for my first sprint and they worked so great I continue to use them. I haven't had problems with them feeling too tight and it's really nice to slip on my running shoes and go. No seats in T2 other then what mother nature provides. Make sure to remember to have a small towel there to dry your feet a bit, helps me when I put on my socks. Good luck.


2012-02-28 12:11 PM
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Regular
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Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
I just use the generic elastic laces - they come from a bunch of different vendors iBungee being one.   They work great and they are SIMPLE to use.  As for the socks and chair - no to that if you want to go fast which I assume you do if you are even talking about elastic laces.
2012-02-28 12:30 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Master
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

I just sit on the ground and put my socks and shoes on.  For a sprint won't even use socks.

I'm pretty sure all tri do not allow chairs.  As far as crates go its a whole debate but most tris are moving towards clean transition areas and are not allowing anything but a towel if you can't wear it. 

I find the less you bring in to transition the faster you are.  Marmadaddy and I have a contest to see who can have less.  He was down to a bike and shoes at the start of the swim, oh glasses. 

2012-02-28 12:30 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Master
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Canandaigua
Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
DP, sorry haven;t done that in a while.


Edited by dexter 2012-02-28 12:30 PM
2012-02-28 12:51 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

Have you considered bringing a bucket to sit on during your transitions? 

 

On the real topic, I love my speed laces (don't remember what brand) and keep them in all of my running shoes.  The keep a tight fit so the shoe doesn't slip but allows for a little bit of swelling while running.

2012-02-28 12:51 PM
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Expert
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
There was a picture of Lance sitting down putting on his socks and shoes in Panama. He came in second place by 42 seconds...


2012-02-28 12:51 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

I use yankz, they seem to work fine.  If you're that worried about your t2 time, you shouldn't even be considering a chair.  I wouldn't bother with socks - try biking and running sockless before hand, and wear socks if you have issues, but I didn't have any problems, and my t1 and t2 times are about 0:40.  And that includes putting on bike shoes in t1 and taking them off in t2 because I didn't have tri shoes, although I picked some up on here recently, so hopefully my times will drop further.

I saw a review of elastic laces, and they liked the xtenex the best, but I haven't tried them myself yet.

2012-02-28 12:52 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

You will definitely look like a noob if you bring a stool or crate to sit on.  I used Yankz for my first year (along with socks).  But last year I switched to a shoe I could wear sockless (Zoot Ultra Tempo 4).  Some people also put baby powder or glide on their shoes to make them easier to get on.  If you can go sockless, it will be much quicker. 

Practice getting your shoes on quickly though.  If you can do this standing up, all the better.  But sitting on the ground is ok.  Although if it happens to be wet or raining at your race, it may throw you off.  There was a inch of standing water at my first race.

2012-02-28 12:57 PM
in reply to: #4070695

Member
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Malvern, PA
Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
Thanks for the tips.  I will use socks but use the condom trick.  Will also practice quick change sitting on the ground.  May investigate elastic laces but it's my first event and a sprint so if I spend an extra 30 seconds with my laces no biggie.  It's not like I am going to podium my AG.
2012-02-28 1:05 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
x whatever on the speedlaces. Also, there are a variety of youtube videos that go through transitions, I found some of them helpful and some of them, not so much. YMMV
2012-02-28 2:29 PM
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Champion
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question

Practice T1 & T2 prior to your race...seriously. If you can do run to set up T1 spot, T1 then ride 200 yds+, come back and do T2, and run 200 yards and do it over and over until you get the hang of where to put everything to set up transition and also how to put things on quickly. Watch some you tube videos that show how folks do it.

Figure out which way to put your helmet so you can put it on and snap it fast. I put a towel folded up with a little stuck out with nothing on it so while putting on my helmet, wipe my feet on towel by stepping on towel, then step into tri shoes, put on race belt if I didn't wear under wetsuit, remove my bike from rack and off I go.

If you are wearing a wetsuit, best to do this exercise at open water swim location and put on your wetsuit, swim out a little and back then continue onto set up T1. But if cold, you may skip the wetsuit part.

I'm not a fast runner usually bottom 10% but I'm often in top 25% of transitions and it isn't my run speed that makes me fast.

T2 is faster, rack bike, take off helmet, lean over put on socks, shoes, grab hat and put it and garmin on as I run out of T2.

Practicing putting on socks quickly standing up can be learned by practicing. If you do bricks you can set up run stuff and do a T2 off your bike as well.



2012-02-28 2:50 PM
in reply to: #4070695

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Master
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
I love my lock laces and they work great. I know that my first even after getting them, I shave nearly 2 minutes off my T2 time.
2012-02-28 3:21 PM
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Regular
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Subject: RE: T2 Lacing and other T2 Question
Xtenex laces. Fast and easy to slip on. Same fit each time.
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