10 Tips for Triathletes for a Fast Transition

Triathlon is unique combining 3 different sports. The way to change from one sport to another affects your final time, so a smooth and fast transition makes your result better and your ranking higher.

Judit SpieglCoach

Here are 10 tips and rules of the transition zone which you need to know to make it successfully.

One way street.

Transition is a one way street zone where you need to run/walk/go always to one direction only. Regardless where your bike is placed with this concept each athletes covers the same distance within the transition and make the conditions equal and safe for all participants.

No nudity.

Changing clothes in the transition in a way that being naked is strictly prohibited at all races in the world. During short distance events you do not need to change your clothes, removing wetsuit in the transition is allowed to but you cannot change your top or short and show your sensitive parts to the particiants and to the spectators. At longer distance events, like Half Ironman and Ironman there is a changing tent available for each gender where you can do that but never do it publicly else you will be disqualified.

Helmet first and last.

The rule is that your helmet has to be on your head and clipped on at the time you are in touch with your bicycle.
So the easiest way not to make a mistake to remember HELMET IS FIRST AND LAST. Put your helmet on first once you are out of the water and leave your helmet on till you racked your bike again and only remove it when you are not touching your bike anymore.

No cycling.

Cycling within the transition area is prohibited. It is for your own and for other participants’ safety.
Going to your bike course you are allowed to get on to your bike after the mount line and you need to get off from your bike before the dismount line. If it is a one transition race, ususally it is the same line right beside the transition area. It is well marked at all events and listen to the volunteers and marshalls warning you on time to slow down when you are approaching the transition again.

Clear your feet.

There is always a distance between the water and the transition area - at many races it is long- and not always covered by carpits, so keep a small towel or an extra bottle of water to clean your feet before you jump to your cycling shoes. A small gravel or sand in your shoes could be very annoying while you are pushing hard on the bike. Spend rather a few extra seconds in T1 instead of having blisters on your feet by the end of the bike.

Bag concept.

Big worldwide events are using extra bags to controll the transition better. Bags are hanged onto a metal frame in order of bib numbers. The logic of using these bags are simple and understandable after your first experience.

For example each athletes gets 3 different bags at Ironman events. BLUE, RED and WHITE.

Blue is your Bike bag, where you put all your stuff what you need during the bike course. You will leave your stuff there after swimming: wetsuit, swimming cap and goggles and grab yours for cycling. Usually nothing can be placed at those events next to your bike, so your helmet, cycling shoes –unless it is clipped onto your bike-, sunglasses, nutrition for the bike has to be placed in there.
Your race number and race belt has to be in that bag too as you are not swimming with it but you have to wear it on your back while you are cycling and in the front while you are running.

Running bag is the Red one. Here you leave the unnecessary stuff after cycling: helmet, if you are not leaving on your bike your cycling shoes. You can take your running shoes, hat or visor and nutrition for the run with you from the red bag.

White bag is for pre-race and post race clothing. It is useful when you are racing abroad and you do not have supporter there. So you will leave your pre-race warm clothes in the white bag, drop it close to the start and you will find this bag hanged onto a metal frame at the end of the race in the transition, so you can leave your post race clothes in that too. Do not leave valuables –phones- in the white bag as it might be opened by mistake and it can be handled by lack of care as organizers do not expect to have any fragile personal items in them.

Find your spot.

You cannot mark your bike spot in the transition but try to memorize its place by searching for some outside support, as a flag or a commercial signboard to drive you faster to your place.
Taking pictures about your spot at the transition at the check in might help to remember and get you faster there. Rows and corridors are marked by bib numbers for the help of athletes.

Check in and Check out times.

Read the race information properly. Transition is closing before your wave start or even before the first wave of the event starts.
At big, international events you need to check in your bike one day prior to the event, you need to have your bike, helmet, race number and usually the blue and red bag with you. You will get your timing chip at the transition at the time when you check in.
This concept is for your own benefit as for thousands of participants organizers would like to avoid the late morning rush, and you do not need to worry you will have access for all on the race day morning, so you can place everything, nutrition in the morning to the bags or onto your bike as well.

PIT STOP.

At big events toilets are available within the transition area. Use them if you need to.

Stay calm.

Whatever happens to you during the transition period, try to stay calm and solve it. Adrenaline is not helping you during these minutes but can cause a headache if you forgot something and you are already far away. So stay calm and THINK while you are there.

Good luck!